We are delighted to share that we have scooped a top design award for the conversion of our historic farm buildings here at Plassey.
Back in July, we were named the overall winner in the 2022 Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s Farm Buildings and Works Competition.
The society presents its prestigious accolade annually to a farm-based business which has successfully turned ancient buildings into modern, working premises. This year, judges decided that our imaginative and forward-looking conversion represented the highest quality standards they were seeking.
As many of you will be aware, our Dee Valley park is based on a 250-acre dairy farm which has been owned for over 60 years by the Brookshaw family, and is today run by John Brookshaw and his wife Sarah.
We are fortunate to be the recipient of many regional and national tourism awards and the heart of our holiday park and retail village is based on stables, barns and other buildings constructed in 1902.
As part of the retail village, we have an acclaimed restaurant and bar, Blk Sheep Baa & Grill, and Stables Coffee shop, along with being home for various other independent retail outlets specialising in Welsh produce.
Judges were greatly impressed at the lengths to which the park had gone to retain many of the original features and fittings, and to highlight them in the overall design. They include cow stalls, bull pens, mangers, water troughs, and grain and hay stores.
Also winning praise was our use of traditional building methods and materials which have ensured that the premises celebrate in full their long and proud heritage.
John Brookshaw said that he and his family felt honoured and humbled by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society’s award:
“I would like to dedicate this award to my late father Tony who, with the love and support of my mother Della, began the huge transformation that we see today,” said John.
“What was once Edwardian model dairy farm buildings are now thriving food, drink and retail venues providing employment and supporting our regional economy.
“It was wonderful to witness my mother receive this fantastic award in person, and I know that my dad would have been immensely proud,” added John.
The presentation of the award was made at this summer’s Royal Welsh Show at Builth Wells in the presence of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne.
