Cockle Park Farm is a 307 hectare mixed farm situated 18 miles north of Newcastle. It is owned by the University and is one of two farms we operate.

The farm comprises a rare combination of arable and animal resources, dedicated staff and modern conference and teaching facilities. It is one of the few facilities in the UK that encompasses the farming of pigs, dairy and beef, as well as a variety of arable cropping and grassland trials.

The principal objectives of the farm are to provide a:

• research facility especially in the area of livestock production
• demonstration facility for teaching purposes
• viable farming business

Key features of the farm include:

• C-DIAL - our high-tech unit, part of the Government's Centre for Innovation and Excellence in Livestock (CIEL)
• Cockle Park Pig Unit (‌PDF: 375KB)‌ - combines commercial and research activity in an integrated manner to demonstrate good commercial practice and show impact of applied research outcomes
• Palace Leas Hay Meadow Plots: long-term trial‌ (PDF: 485KB) - the world's longest-running grazing and hay cutting experiment, established in 1896, and one of the oldest fertilisation trials.
• Grid-connect anaerobic digestion - sustainable rural energy demonstrator, part of the University's £20m National Centre for Energy Systems Integration

Conference facilities

The Seminar Room

Based in a modern barn conversion, this is the perfect space for conferences of up to 60 people. The room is suitable for boardroom meetings, theatre-style presentations, and classroom teaching. The room houses a high quality audio system, and has black-out capability. White board and flip-charts are available.

The facility also offers free parking with direct access.

The Lodge

A versatile, spacious room, the Lodge can hold up to 40 people for conferences or presentations. This large room has a projector and screen, with white board and flip chart provision. It has a reception area and kitchen facilities are also available. The Lodge is ideal as a reception and refreshment area for larger events at Cockle Park Farm.

The Wheldon Meeting Room

A boardroom that accommodates up to 12 people. It can also act as a breakout room when booked as part of our larger conference package. It offers a boardroom style arrangement, with audio-visual facilities, flip charts, and whiteboard. Free parking is available next to the meeting room.

All meeting rooms can be booked with hospitality. For further information, please contact NU Farms.

Cockle Park Farm
Newcastle University
Ulgham
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 3EA

Farm Director: James Standen
+44(0) 191 2082288 or +44 (0) 1661 830222

Facilities Enquiries:
+44 (0)7933 171970 or +44 (0)7395798845