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Forty Farms

May 2024 – February 2025

Our annual exhibition for 2024 in the William Bone Building presented the captivating photography of British Life Photographer of the Year, and Cumbrian farmer Amy Bateman.

Forty Farms offered a unique insight into the everyday lives, fears and hopes of 40 extraordinary farmers through photography, products, film and words to create an immersive experience.

Over a year, Amy captured the lives and stories of a wide variety of people farming in this breathtaking landscape. From isolated farmsteads unchanged over generations to businesses at the cutting-edge of innovation; from worldclass sheep-breeders to award-winning cheese-makers, Forty Farms is a visual record of farming at a moment of profound change.

The featured delicious tasters in the museum’s adjoining demonstration kitchen, inspired by the stories told through the exhibition.

Forty Farms was a touring exhibition that comes to East Anglia from the South Lakes.

 

Photos by Amy Bateman

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Building works

Please be aware of building works taking place across our site.

Our magnificent Medieval Barn is currently closed for repairs and will reopen in June 2026.

The House will remain open whilst exterior works take place before closing during 2027 for renovations, reopening with fresh exhibitions about food-making in the home.

The Factory is closed from November 2025 through March 2027 as we create brand new displays about industrial food production, accessible visitor toilets, and a stunning first-floor events space.

For more information visit Current Projects