Byland Abbey this evening . It is an English Heritage site just 15- 20 minutes walk from here or as Jack would say 5 fields away . There is a public right of way passing halfway down our drive ,but you can get through our fields to it if you prefer and probably see some deer on the way . It is free to enter..

Andy The Hill Farmer's Message To Zac Goldsmith- I have known Andy Fawbert since we were kids and he does know what he is talking about .

New top class chef on the block - ADAM JACKSON at The FEVERSHAM ARMS

Delighted to say there is now another place we can suggest to guests to go to eat. It is in the Weathervane Restaurant at the Feversham Arms in Helmsley. Adam Jackson is now head chef there and his food is amazing.
I have know Adam a long long time .Firstly when he was head chef at the Black Swan in Oldstead where he got a Michelin star for his food.  More recently he has returned from the bright lights of York to take the Feversham Arms to another level .
I was very honoured when he made time to attend the Ryedale Business Awards last week when I announced this great talent was in the area had arrived. It had all been very secretive up until only a few days before.

I went along last night with two friends, Mary who drink Prosecco, Tracy who has a liking for Vodka and Cranberry ..I must try that it was a new one to me and as I was driving I stuck to tap water.
A 2 or 3 course a la carte menu . Chef Jackson certainly worked incredibly hard to keep all 36 diners happy. Nearly a full restaurant  on a freezing evening yes it was 0 degrees when we later ventured out into the late night air.  Please note it was only freezing outside and I had a prime view of everyone cooing and oohhing over their food as I was sat with my back to the wall with a good view of the room.
To start not just bread homemade of course with my favourite of favourites marmite butter and a sea salted version too but a cup of the finest lightest french onion soup I have ever drank . would be pot washer for a week to learn how to make this. I have ever drank . It also came with little balls the finest of choux filled with whipped goats cheese

There is a very detailed version of this blog written up on our FACEBOOK PAGE - JACK PECKITT/ANNA LUPTON if you wish to read it more deeply . I will say what I choose I couldn't have bettered .Sea Trout with hispi, wasabi and apple to start -that was my favourite , my main course was Cod, loveage, ratte potatoes and potted shrimps with the latter catching my eye to make the difficult decision a little easier to know which course to chose. Topped off with Chocolate ,blood orange and pecan.
Mary and Tracy had the beef which they said they had never tasted beef like it .
 We were given extra surprises in store along the way as nice places do . You know it is a "nice "place when you finish with a cheese board with not only has orchard chutneys, crackers and walnut and treacle bread but honey and walnut on one of  cheese as well . 

Localanuary .My new word for a New Year

Why not get behind #localanuary and only buy local produce from independent shops throughout January. Anyone can buy Ultra processed and chemically ripened ‘food’ shipped from around the globe, served or delivered by an unknown face with no connection or knowledge of the produce. How about instead buying locally grown and fresh in season produce from your local farm shop, butcher or green grocer. Grown, matured and ripened naturally, you couldn’t ask for more wholesome nutritious produce, and you may be surprised to find that it’s healthier on your pocket too! And with a wealth of knowledge you may pick up some tips of things to try with new recipes. What’s more, with every penny spent at a local retailer, an extra 50% stays in the local economy compared to shopping with the larger national shops. Happy New Year, and a very happy Localanuary!!
Funny looking fillet to me ..but still tasty looking meat .

Castle Howard 2019 Christmas

Christmas comes but once a year and Castle Howard certainly dont miss the opportunity to deck their halls, rooms and corridors  with all the jolliments of Christmas. This year it is themed on A Venetian Masquerade.
I was very lucky yet again to be invited to the preview evening and here is a little what it is all about . Nicholas Howard looked very dapper in his Christmas outfit .Santa Claus must have been hitting the sherry bottle as he sang ,jingled and rapped and was on the very best form.
I felt very honoured to speak to Charlotte Lloyd Webber in the Long Gallery before he was called away for question time in the Chapel and met Bretta Gerecke in the ladies loos - well one does doesn't one.  The costumes were truly amazing .I didn't manage to track down Adrain Lillie as I might have tried to rope him into helping with the costumes for the up and coming World Jam festival -Alice in Wonderland characters
The festive tribute runs from 16th November until 5 the Jan 2020 you really must make time to go .

A Christmas Masquerade

 Just to start the celebrations of Christmas here in North Yorkshire .Castle Howard has gone on with the You Tubes I think mine was probably the first ever done to promote there years ago .

The Shambles with Harry Potter and then there is the new Downtown Abbey

This is the Shambles in York in the evening  and a perfect time to get that special photograph without having to wrestle with the crowds of people, who are about during the day .Also The Shambles is where there is now a Harry Potter Shop which delights my grandchildren . I prefer to think of it at the time when ladies wear elegant long dresses and gentlemen walked the streets in top hats and carried walking canes.             

Maybe I have been watching to much Downton Abbey. But what I think is really exciting is that there is going to be a new Downton Abbey film out soon  and some right on our "doorstep". 

I am lucky to have a friend who was part of the cast and so I have the low down on where the new Downton Abbey was filmed . So whether you prefer to go and check the film locations under your own steam or prefer to have an organised tour with your own personal chauffeur ,we can arrange it when you stay with us here at Carr House Farm .