The Legacy of Anne Hyde
The historic buildings on the farm date back to 1655 and were once home to Anne Hyde, who later married James II, King of England.
The initials ‘ARH’ on the date stone refer to Anne Hyde, the daughter of Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, who played a significant role in the Civil War. In 1660, Anne became pregnant by James, Duke of York. As a result, James’s brother, King Charles II, insisted that they marry that year. Anne went on to have eight children, but only two survived and she died of breast cancer in 1671. When Charles II died in 1685, James became King of England.
For two hundred years the residence was called Hyde Bank Hall. In approximately 1850 the Hall was divided into two separate residencies – Hyde Bank House and Hyde Bank Farm. Our charming Grade 2 listed sandstone barn has been converted and furnished and now houses our beautiful wedding suite.
The Blackhurst family at Hyde Bank Farm
In approximately 1905 the present owners’ great, great grandparents, William and Mary Dore, took over the tenancy. In the previous sixty years, there had been 7 different tenants due to the difficulty of making a living in farming. In 1920 when William Dore died, his wife Mary carried on farming with the help of two grandchildren, a boy and a girl, the girl became the grandmother of the present owners.
Harold Blackhurst, born in 1893, fought throughout the First World War before returning from service to work on farms in the Cheshire area. In 1926 he saw an advertisement for a milk round in Romiley, he bought it and went to Hyde Bank Farm to buy milk to sell on his round. While collecting his milk he met Mrs Dore’s granddaughter and in 1929 they were married.
The farm began to prosper and in 1939 the first milking machine was installed, it was the only one of its kind in the area at that time. In 1960 Harold’s son David Blackhurst took over the farm and his father retired. Through hard work and determination, the milk rounds grew in size until the farm was producing, bottling and delivering more than half a million pints a year.
In 1995, David passed on the business to his sons, Alan and Philip, who have diversified to create this family business.
Hyde Bank Farm Today
Today, Hyde Bank Farm is a thriving family business that provides a rustic, countryside backdrop exclusively for weddings.
When you choose Hyde Bank Farm for your special day, you’re not just selecting a wedding venue; you’re embracing a rich heritage of love, dedication, and a profound connection to this land.
Your special day will be framed by the historic charm of our venue and the natural beauty of its surroundings, ensuring a wedding experience that is both timeless and enchanting.
Plan Your Visit To Hyde Bank Farm
Discover the perfect setting for your dream wedding. Plan your visit to Hyde Bank Farm and experience the rustic charm and enchanting beauty that make our venue so special.
Contact us today to schedule a venue tour and start planning the wedding of your dreams.