PRN 36957 Model Farm constructed in 1883. The Dysart estate, held by a branch of the wealthy Tollemache family, with major estates in Cheshire and Suffolk, was one of the largest in Lincolnshire. It covered about 18,000 acres centred on Buckminster Park, just ouside Grantham. A period of farm building took place in the 1880s, with several farmsteads of exactly the same design being built. No documentation survives to help explain this rare example of large-scale investment and the architect for the schemes is not known. At least five farmsteads, all dated 1883, were built. That at Hanby was built on an old site, replacing earlier buildings, while The Pines on Little Ponton Heath was a new creation. All are built of brick except Grange Farm, North Witham, which is of stone. They were all planned on a U-plan layout with two covered yards divided by a raised feeding passage within the U. The feeding passage, which is wide enough to take a hand cart, is open down to trought height on either side between the pillars that support the roof. The barn on one side consists merely of the lower floor of a two storey building with granary above. There is access from the barn into the nearest yard so that straw could be taken directly to it. There is no sign of a power source on any of the farms, the barn machinery being worked by portable machines. These compact farmsteads, which served mixed arable farms between 250 to 300 acres, provided well-ventilated, easily-serviced cattle accommodation and represented an important and almost final stage in the spohistication of farm building design at a practical, tenant farm level.{1} The Pines (Heath Farm), Great Ponton. Partially extant 19th century farmstead. Regular courtyard with a covered yard. The farmhouse is detached from the main working complex. There has been a partial loss (less than 50%) of traditional buildings. Isolated location. Large modern sheds are located to the side of the site. {2}