What kind of place is High Braythorne Farm?
Location
High Braythorne Farm lies in the Lower Washburn Valley between Harrogate and Otley. It sits at 164 metres (538 feet) above sea level with Wharfedale stretching to the northwest towards Skipton. The large conurbations of Leeds and Bradford lie to the south. The famous spa town of Harrogate is 15 minutes away over Briscoe Rigg to the north.
The land
The farm comprises 55 hectares (136 acres), most of which is grassland of various types. Improved grassland covering 34.5 hectares lies to the east of the beck. Since the beginning of 2023, most of this area is in transition to species-rich grassland under a natural capital (Biodiversity Net Gain) scheme. Until that time, it was mostly a monoculture of ryegrass which was cut two or three times a year between May and September for silage production.
In 2024 we created three ponds to enhance biodiversity and slow down the flow of ground water through the catchment.
Grassland
To the west of the beck lie 15.8 hectares of wet grassland, traversed by drainage channels, the whole forming a catchment of water from Stainburn and Lindley Moor. This is grazed through the summer by a neighbour’s dairy heifers at low stocking density to promote diverse grass species and enhance the habitat for upland wader birds, including lapwing, snipe and curlew. A Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship scheme supports the nature-friendly management.
Gayle Farm
To the south of the farm buildings there are 4.7 hectares of old, unimproved grassland (classified as acidic lowland meadow.) This area was home base for our flock of 50 Whitefaced Woodland sheep. They are a hardy native breed, popular in South Yorkshire and the Pennines.
Ancient woodland
West Beck runs from north to south through the farm and is surrounded by ancient woodland in what is known as a ghyll (or gill) – steep sided banks covered in trees (also known as clough woodland.)
We are very lucky to have the ancient woodland running through the farm. As well as being very beautiful, it contains many indicator species of plants such as Bitter-cress, Dog's Mercury and Yellow Pimpernel. There are also badger setts, foxes, an array of birds, and the occasional browsing deer passes through.
A family farm
Family Arnold
Rupert and Fiona Arnold moved to Braythorn in 2012 following in the footsteps of Rupert's parents, whose Yorkshire roots go back generations.
Rupert's career began as a land manager for Chartered Surveyors, Strutt and Parker, but he soon moved into the horseracing industry where he still holds various charity, consultancy and regulatory roles.
After a variety of occupations including recruitment and career coaching, Fiona is a now professional basket maker. Read more about her amazing creative talents on the Basket making page
Georgia is an NHS physiotherapist based in Otley and Leeds. Georgia and husband Toby are often at the farm at weekends to help with the cattle and sheep. In June 2026, we were thrilled to welcome Georgia and Toby's first baby Rex - the next generation!
Edd is an artist, currently based in Arkansas, USA. We discuss the farm with him regularly via video calls and he often has innovative ideas. Whenever he comes home his priority is spending time working on the farm.
Our two beautiful labradors, seen with us here, are Clary and Rolig.
