A fire ravaged Chester Farm in 2010. But from the ashes a remarkable story emerged. Chester Farm isn’t just a farm. It’s a living testament to 10000 years of history. Right here before you stands a Grade II* listed farmhouse. It survived a devastating fire. The interior has been lovingly restored. It retains the character of a period farmhouse. Archaeological evidence guided the restoration. The result is a public cafe. It offers stunning views of the archaeological site.
Chester Farm’s history stretches back to the Mesolithic period. Flint tools and mammoth bones have been found. The site also reveals evidence from the Iron Age. Two round houses still lie beneath the ground. Imagine the families who lived here centuries ago. The Romans also left their mark. Chester Farm’s location was vital to them. It was a shallow crossing point of the River Nene. This is evident in the Roman walled town nearby. In the 17th century Thomas Ekins acquired the Chester Farm. An inventory from 1662 describes a substantial home. It included a hall parlour kitchen and buttery. Chambers were above them. A wash-house and dairy-house completed the building.
Captain Thomas Ekins died in 1754. His daughter Sarah inherited the estate. She married Dr James Stonhouse. He transformed it into a gentleman’s farm. A map from 1756 depicts the buildings and fields. The names of the closes reflect the creation of parkland. Stonhouse was an important figure. He was a co-founder of the Northampton Infirmary. He was also a writer and publisher. The impressive Lime Avenue entrance likely dates back to the late 18th century.
The 19th century saw the addition of cart barns and limestone walls. An orchard was planted. Primitive archaeological excavations also took place. The River Nene was navigable. Two railway lines ran nearby. Ironstone quarrying also impacted the land. The current farm buildings are the remnants of a mixed farm. Cattle and cereals were raised. Land sales for gravel extraction and an industrial estate diminished its viability. Some temporary structures were removed to make way for an Archaeological Resource Centre. Northamptonshire County Council purchased the 84-acre Chester Farm in 2004.
The restoration project at Chester Farm was significant. It received funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The project brought the historic buildings back into use. Now Chester Farm houses a visitor centre and commercial facilities. Local independent businesses operate from a new artisan shopping courtyard. Other barns became a conference centre and office space. The landscape design is purposefully rural. It is more formal near the farmhouse. It gradually becomes less formal further away. The paths mimic packed earth pathways. This maintains the rural feel of Chester Farm. Today Chester Farm is more than just a farm. It is a vibrant hub of history culture and enterprise. It stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the past.