Cogges Farm

One of our favorite places to visit when in England is Cogges Farm located in the town of Witney in Oxfordshire.  We have visited it a number of times including one time when they were having a Steam Fair with all the old steam farm equipment.
In the past it was  set up as a Victorian farmstead but traces its roots all the way back to the 13th century.  It was owned by the Oxfordshire Country Council until 2 years ago when they decided that popular as it was, drawing from 25,000 to 30,000 visitors a year, that they could no longer afford to keep it and turned it over to a charitable trust, and it has taken 2 years to get it open again.
The new trust is changing things quite a bit, the emphasis will be on food growing, both past and present, and there are plans to bring a tenant farmer in.  Talking to the staff in the Victorian kitchen, who are always cooking something, we had the feeling they were less than happy with how things are being developed.  The lady at the front had told us that we wouldn't see as many animals because their pig sties weren't approved.
Usually when we visit the farm it is full of people, but not the day we were there.  It was kind of sad.  But I love the farm, with an emphasis on the kitchen and laundry because Mac and I always figure that's where our families would have worked had they been there.

Still Room

Dining Room

Victorian Kitchen

Laundry Room

Walled Garden

St. Mary's Church

Cross Keys

Walked into Witney for lunch at the Cross Keys, Mac had Roast Beef and I had Roast Chicken, both delicious.  I was able to pick up a signal with my cell phone and call our daughter in the States.  I had checked before we came, after AT&T had assured me my phone would work in England,  and found out I could "roam" using Vodaphone, Orange and T-Mobile and as long as I was near Oxford or Gloustershire I would be in an area they covered.    They, AT&T,  quoted a reasonable roaming rate, we'll see when the bill comes in.
After lunch we walked up to the church St. Mary's where they were having a benefit, walked around the art show and then headed home.  A nice day, hope things work out for the farm it's a special place.