(GR 369 482)

Directions to point E
After leaving the farm behind travel for about 150 metres in an easterly direction to where the footpath divides. Take the right had fork and follow the distinct footpath through the fields. (Note. During winter months or periods of heavy and prolonged rain this path which uses the edge of the fields becomes both muddy and more difficult to traverse). After a short while the path makes a distinct right hand kink and then a left turn along a hedgerow until a much wider and more distinct track is reached. Turn right here and head in the direction of Carr House Farm.

( Point E) GR 377 478   QR code or link to information.

Heritage Information Point D

The farm is Great Eppleton Farm and was once the site of Great Eppleton Hall. Today nothing remains of the Hall as the Hall was demolished in the latter years of the 19th century. Very little is known of the history of this particular building. It appears that it was in existence during the 17th century and may have been part of an earlier medieval manorial estate. The building itself could well have been known by an earlier name, but this is not known.  The Eppleton estate with the exception of Field House ( a nearby house at Little Eppleton near the Lyons area) passed on the death of George Shadforth in1669 to his son Thomas born into the family in 1657.Thomas held on to the estate for more than thirty years during which time he accumulated a large amount of debt. In order to settle the debt he was forced to sell Eppleton estate and hall in 1692 to a partner-ship of Francis Mascal and John Doubleday. Mascal and Doubleday purchased both Eppleton and Alnwick Abbey in Northumberland jointly at the same time, then afterwards determined their shares by lot. As a result, Eppleton fell to Mascall and Alnwick Abbey to Doubleday,whose later descendants sold itto the Duke of Northumberland.The land at Eppleton was sold for a sum of £5000 and such were Thomas Shadforth’s debts that they swallowed up £4000, leaving only £1000 for his wife and children. Shadforth retired to Bishop Auckland, possibly to live with his sister and husband and before his death received Parish relief from the Township.

The hill opposite the farm is known as Windmill Hill for it is believed that a wooden windmill was sited in the field close to the top of the hill. Today modern wind machines are located nearby as the area receives a constant flow of westerly and easterly winds due to its height. Today the modern farm concentrates in the growing of arable crops, particularly cereals, on the well-drained limestone soil.

Great Eppleton Hall now demolished