Manor Farm audio guide

Whatever the length of your stay, our 21 short audio guides will help you make the most of your visit. 

On site, there are a limited number of mp3 players available to borrow. Please ask a member of staff for details.

Plan 80 minutes for the full tour or pick a few stops and create your own version. 
Select the play icon on an image to listen to the audio recording for that track.

Track 1

Start at the general information panel by the main gate entrance off Ruislip High Street for an overview of the tour.

Track 2

Take in some of the wildlife as you walk up the path by the duck pond, alongside the bowling green, in the direction of Manor Farm House.

Track 3

Behold Manor Farm House, a beautiful 16th century Tudor building.

Learn about this manorial house's construction and uses.

Track 4

Before entering, explore some of the decorative architectural features of the facade.

Track 5

In the entrance hall, admire the oldest known domestic wallpaper in England to still remain on its original wall. It was designed by Abraham Price at the Blue Paper Warehouse c. 1700.

The company's employees will tell you about how innovative their work was.

Track 6

Find out about some of the former occupants of the house in the low parlour. Also on display are objects discovered during our 2007 to 2008 restoration.

Track 7

For centuries, court was held at Manor Farm House.

Witness court in session in 1611, as King's College Cambridge's officials judge a local man.

Track 8

More information about the 1,000 years of recorded history at Manor Farm is provided in a video overview in the hall.

Track 9

Following the 11th century Norman conquest of England, Manor Farm became the property of the Norman Abbey of Bec.

Hear French monks singing and learn about their activities on site.

Tracks 10 and 11

The land here was farmed up until 1932. Discover our agricultural history with the following 2 tracks.

Track 12

Next to the house, the pram shed contains a display of old farming tools.

Listen to Frank Walsh's recollections of farming in days past.

Track 13

Part of the medieval Ruislip Woods remains north of Manor Farm.

Wander into the orchard to find out about the importance of this rich natural resource, as recorded in the Domesday Book entry for Ruislip Manor in 1086.

Track 14

Imagine seeing remnants of prehistoric times. The sarsen stones by the stables are at least 33 million years old.

Track 15

Manor Farm boasts the oldest timber-framed barn in the Greater London area.

Hear about the barn's rearing at the turn of the 13th century and some of its noteworthy features.

Track 16

Tax in the form of harvests and local produce used to be held within the Great Barn's 7 bays.

Here you can learn about the medieval tithe system as used to be practised at Manor Farm and across the kingdom.

Track 17

At the rear of the Great Barn, local craftsmen and women have set up their workshops in the former cart sheds.

Track 18

Tudor builders were inspired by the Great Barn's structure when designing the Little Barn next door. Now home to Manor Farm Library, the Little Barn's timber-framed interior offers another example of excellence in craftsmanship, with additional stained glass to admire.

Track 19

Medieval society was organised differently to ours. The facsimile of the Ruislip Manor entry in the Domesday Book in the library, will help you to find out more about the kind of people who used to live here and what they did.

Track 20

Complete your visit with a privileged view on the top of the medieval motte. It is thought that the Norman follower, Ernulf de Hesdin, built a wooden castle bailey here.

Track 21

For a summary of the tour and suggestions for other outings, listen to our final track. We hope that you enjoy your visit.

Credits

Producer/Script Editor/Audio Editor: Pamela Glintenkamp

Narrator 1: Jill Rolls

Narrator 2: Bethan Bate

Character voices: Geoffrey Court, Philip Emery, Peter Falkner, Aimée Pickering, David Roberts and Martin Twomey.

With thanks to the Ruislip, Northwood and Eastcote Local History Society; particularly Eileen Bowlt, President, and Susan Toms, Secretary.