A "magical" barn that is hundreds of years old has been given a new lease of life for generations to enjoy.
Ann and Graham Lund moved to a 40-acre farm in Halewood in 1981 where they became arable farmers. After opening a small farm shop, the married couple soon produced anything from potatoes and cauliflowers to wheat, turkey and lambs and Yew Tree Farm has remained in the family ever since.
Over the years, the farm, on Lower Road, has appeared to grow from strength to strength and is now a "vital" part of Halewood, known as a "hidden gem tucked away in the village". For sisters Rachel Maskell, 40, and Katie Wilkes, 37, it has become more than their home. Speaking to the ECHO, Katie said: "We had an amazing childhood growing up at Yew Tree Farm which is why we have both gravitated back to it."
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In 2001, the 18th century barn was converted into a larger farm shop which proved to be a huge success for 17 years until shopping habits changed and it became "financially unviable". A difficult decision was made to close the store but in early 2020, the barn, believed to be over 300 years old, was "sensitively refurbished" and a space was created for weddings and events.
The 'Yew Tree Coffee Barn' has also successfully been open for around 10 years, where people can enjoy a spot of breakfast or lunch surrounded by farm animals, including the popular alpacas.
Katie added: "The Barn was opened in January 2020 and covid closed us down more or less straight away so it was a tough time to open. However, we have held 67 weddings up to now and it has provided such a magical setting for the weddings.
"As with anything there are highs and lows. We find it extremely challenging in the coffee shop at the moment with the energy prices and cost of food but after covid we are happy that we are open and trading.
"It is amazing to be part of someone's big day and our team love working weddings despite them being 16 hour days. It is lovely to read the positive reviews and know that someone has enjoyed their time at Yew Tree Farm too."
As Katie and Rachel took over the business to allow their parents to enjoy retirement, many positive reviews have come pouring in as customers say it is a "little gem that is always packed out." People attending the coffee shop can enjoy local foods on a working farm where hens are roaming around as well as alpacas, goats, sheep and a donkey, with the odd tractor passing by.
Katie said: "It is lovely to see the 300 year old barn get a new lease of life and a new chapter, the barn building has barely changed but serves such a different purpose to how we remember it as a grain shed when we were young. Our best feature is our people, we are a small team who care that anyone visiting Yew Tree Farm have a positive experience.
"We have had customers coming to the farm for over 40 years and hope we get to keep sharing it with people for another 40."
As well as weddings, the farm area also caters for wakes, business meetings and training days as visitors travel from across the UK. Open Monday to Friday, the family say they cannot wait to see what the future holds, in the heart of Halewood Village.
Some popular Google reviews include it being described as a "great discovery" as well as a "little gem". One person said: "Amazing food, lovely atmosphere and very cute alpacas. What more could you want."
The ECHO previously reported that Halewood was a town that was more than a "mere dormitory town of Liverpool". Halewood has grown in popularity and is renowned for its beautiful green spaces, historical value and being the home of the first war horse grave.
One of the oldest highways in the township is Lower Road where you can still see many old houses and farmland near Everton FC's new training ground, exactly where the Yew Tree Farm is situated.
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