Farm attraction to reopen as charity status secured

The heritage farm is expected to reopen later in the year

A farm attraction which closed in 2021 is to reopen after gaining charitable status.

Acton Scott Heritage Farm near Church Stretton had been operated by Shropshire Council for 47 years but the authority said it was losing £168,000 per year.

The attraction, which appeared on the BBC's Victorian Farm series, was handed back to the Acton Scott Estate in April.

Trustees said becoming registered as a charity paved the way for it to open later in 2024.

Education, environmental conservation and health and wellbeing were the charity's aims, they stated.

Acton Scott would once again, they added, welcome visitors "to witness its rich agricultural history and portrayal of traditional rural crafts."

A growing number of volunteers were getting the farm ready to reopen but there was still much work to do and more help was needed, said the trustees.

The reopening date would be announced in due course, they added.