Located in our Stable Yard, the Doddington Wagon Shed houses a fascinating collection of English farm wagons, collected by Claire’s father, Antony Jarvis, since the 1960s. Open daily, the Doddington Wagon Shed is free to access.
In 1700, farming in England was still mediaeval in its techniques and could do little more than feed its local communities. By 1760, the industrial revolution was beginning to draw farm labour to the cities, and landowners began to seek more efficient ways to farm. Soon enough, the farmer’s small 2-wheeled farm carts became inadequate.
The carts were replaced with much larger four-wheeled wagons copied from the local road haulage wagons. This innovative design spread rapidly and, by 1800, there were about 25 county or regional designs of the new wagons throughout England.
Heavier draught horses were needed to pull these wagons and two main breeds were developed – the preeminent Shire and the more compact Suffolk punch.
For the next century, farming techniques developed steadily but the wagon designs hardly changed. It was only after the arrival of cheap tractors in the post-war era (1945-50) that farm wagons were finally abandoned.
Antony Jarvis
Father of Claire Birch
“Very few other countries developed any four-wheeled wagons, and none produced such an extraordinary regional diversity, making this collection even more special.”
The Farm Wagon in the Rural Community
From their beginnings, farm wagons were an exciting innovation for farmers and they became the symbol of 19th century farming. Farmers were proud to show off what was a very large investment in their business and a signal of their success.
The makers of the wagons were quick to respond, producing wagons to the highest standards of workmanship with eye-catching paintwork and decorative carvings. There were a number of key characteristics that made farm wagons so elegant and attractive:
Painted with bright colours, with decorative lining and ‘branding’ – the details of the maker and owner were often put in decorative panels on wagons (although not in all regions)
There are numbers of photographs of large Lincolnshire wagons, full of children and covered with flowers, setting off for the annual village or church picnic
In Gloucestershire, a wagon with four kitchen chairs in it would take the family to church.
A farmer would take his daughter to her wedding standing in his wagon, with her on his arm
A farmer’s coffin would be carried to the church by his wagon
Thinking about
stopping by?
With so much to do at Doddington, it can be hard to fit everything into just one day. So here are a few useful things to know before you set off:
Doddington Hall
Conservation
The Doddington Conservation Charity was conceived to conserve, restore, enhance and protect the natural and cultural heritage of Doddington for the long-term benefit of the wider community.
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Collections
Uniform Collection
The MC Tsen Military Uniform Collection features an impressive array of uniforms, accessories and memorabilia, offering a fascinating insight into military history.
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Tapestries Collection
If walls could talk… Three of the bedrooms at Doddington Hall are decorated with the most incredible Flemish tapestries, dating back to the 17th century.
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Artwork Collection
Doddington Hall is home to a wealth of priceless artwork, from the monumental painting by Joshua Reynolds in the Long Gallery to the hand-drawn illustrations passed down through owner Claire's family.
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