Focus on Littleborough: Fielden Farm

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Norman and Jean Molyneux outside the cottages at Fielden Farm

Last week a new Eco-friendly, self catering holiday cottage opened in Littleborough. The cottage is one of two in the pipeline and is situated up in the hills on Blackstone Edge.

With just a five minute drive from Littleborough town centre the cottage is perfect for walkers or just a snug holiday retreat, somewhat resembling a log cabin.

Rochdale Online reporter Laura Wild met with the farm’s owners Jean and Norman Molyneux to find out why they decided to turn their redundant out buildings into self catering cottages.

As I drove up to the farm I was confronted with glorious views, just a few minutes up Blackstone Edge Old Road and down a dirt track I arrived at the farm.

I was greeted by the Molyneuxs and they kindly gave me a tour of the first completed cottage. As I walked through the front door I felt as though I had walked into someone’s home, it was spotlessly clean and very welcoming.

The downstairs of the property is the kitchen, dining and living area of the cottage, the walls were painted in a crème colour and the whole place felt fresh.

As I walked up the wooden staircase the pattern of pine became apparent, giving the feel of a hut on top of a mountain. Upstairs there was a bedroom to sleep two people; the double bed is capable of splitting into two beds for a twin room.

Across the landing is the bathroom, with a ceiling window enabling lots of light to seep through.

The cottage was beautiful.

Next door, the remainder of the old barn is part converted but work needs to be completed on the interior. This cottage has two bedrooms and will sleep four people.

Following my tour I spoke to the Molyneuxs about their decision to convert the disused buildings.

Fielden Farm has been in Mrs Molyneuxs family for many generations, her parents were dairy farmers there, however, the couple now farm sheep and many of the buildings, although well maintained, were not being used.

The couple frequently visit Normandy and over the years they thought perhaps they could create a haven for walkers’ right here in Littleborough.

Mrs Molyneux said: “We thought about it for a number of years and it was only when a builder was at the farm carrying out some other work and said why don’t you convert these buildings that we thought about it seriously.”

Of course, as they say, the rest is history.

To set the cottages apart from other similar holiday homes they are very eco friendly, they are ran on renewable energy and the cottage has already been nominated for the green business award.

The cottage has under floor heating throughout provided by ground source energy.

The couple hope that the four star cottages will be an ideal place for walkers and even business men and women in the week.

The Molyneuxs both work on the farm and have done a lot of the work themselves; it has taken 11 months to complete the first cottage.

“Of course like anything else you have phases where you think are we doing the right thing,” said Mr Molyneux, “But, I am proud of it – we want people to discover the area.”

To aid visitors with their stay Mrs Molyneux has put together a variety of walks for people to take part in and they also have links with a bike company who can loan mountain bikes to people so they can further explore the Littleborough hills.

“We think Littleborough is fantastic – it might not be peoples’ first choice but we want to change that,” added Mr Molyneux.

The pair admitted with the cottage being next to their farm house it is tempting to go and stay in it because they are so happy with it.

The next step for the Molyneuxs is to complete the second cottage; they are also toying with the idea of using the remainder of the barn space for a workshop or educational space.

The rest of the farm is involved in an environmental scheme called Twite Recovery Project to help recover the dwindling number of Twite birds.

Mrs Molyneux concluded: “It has been a very long journey and we still have some way to go but I am very happy with what we have achieved so far."