The Watering Hole Farm

Sara & Steven, the Ossett couple who have opened their own 'event farm' after serving walkers and cyclists during lockdown.

 

Dolly the sheep and a Citroen HY van have helped transform the lives of a couple in Gawthorpe, near Ossett, who were more used to working in the bright lights of city life.

 

Steven Fisher and Sara Bradley took on the Farm with just four acres simply with the view of bringing together family life and their events company, which had been based at two separate addresses.

 

“When we came to Park Grange Farm we had no animals, but now we have something that is making people smile and we are doing our bit for people’s well being.’’

 

Sara was born and grew up in North Yorkshire and spent every school holiday on farms owned by her grandparents, her auntie and now her cousin at Constable Burton and Kepwick.

 

Sara learned everything she knows about farming from her grandad, Ronnie Coates. 

 

Steven was born and raised here in Gawthorpe. 

 

Steven and Sara turned their events expertise into a daily farming event for locals which is called The Watering Hole Farm.

 

Sara said that she and Steven had noticed how many more people were walking up and down the lane to their farm that is a public footpath, bridleway and part of the well known Wheels to Wakefield cycle route. 

 

We had four pet lambs from the family farm in North Yorkshire and had added four goats, since then The Watering Hole Farm has welcomed many more animals.

 

“Dolly, our Texel X ewe, became famous. She would stand in the corner of the field and people would stop and give her a stroke.’’

 

“When we bought the additional land we put our Citroen HY van just inside the gate and started selling teas, coffees and cake.

It was an immediate hit and we enjoyed it. Our farm being at the end of the lane had meant we hadn’t seen many people during the lockdowns.’’

 

People then asked whether there was anywhere they could sit, which led to a seating area, and that led on to people coming to see the animals.

 

The Watering Hole Farm opened up on 12 April 2021.

 

“Farming here wasn’t Sara & Stevens' intention because our events company kept us so busy, but on 15 March 2020 turned out to be our last event until the end of 2021, our regular business stopped overnight. It has made us do something really good and rewarding. We are finding that we are contributing in our own way to children’s and adults’ education about farming and providing somewhere great for local people.’’

 

“We’ve also started our own spa with a wood fired hot-tubs and offer a full range of relaxing holistic and beauty treatments.’’

 

“We now work back in the events world. It has always been our way of life and passion but starting this has given us a greater balance. The Watering Hole Farm has changed our way of life and we have had some amazing family time with our children. Although not at the farm as much anymore we are still a big part of the operation.’’

 

Steven and Sara’s events company has also seen them working with another famous farmer’s daughter – Radio 2 DJ Sara Cox. 

 

Steven has been production manager for a number of top radio presenters, DJs and artists.

 

Steven and Sara have had the opportunity to try their hand at farming.

 

Something great came from COVID.

 

The team at The Watering Hole Farm are building something really special for the future, our family and for Gawthorpe.

​