The Yorkshire Film Archive collects, preserves, and shows film made in, or about Yorkshire. Our collections are non-fiction, dating from the 1890s to the present day, and providing a rich and visually compelling record of all aspects of lives, cultures, landscape, industries, major events and everyday activities, many of which are available to watch, free of charge, on our website.
This film is part of Free
The Farm on the Motorway
Life in the fast lane, as thousands roar past every day wondering why there is a farm in the middle of a motorway, and why anyone would live there.
From the collection of:
Overview
Standing 1100 feet up on Windy Hill in the Pennines is Stott Hall Farm, and around it on either side, just yards away and travelling at high speed, pass 100,000 vehicles every day along the UK’s highest motorway, the M62. Braving the ceaseless din of the traffic are Ken and Beth Wild, their three breeds of sheep and four border collies. They talk about their life on Britain’s most visible farm, and why they are there, while presenter Michael Clegg provides the natural history.
Related
Watch for free
Christmas in Belfast Christmas in Belfast
Government sponsored film 1977 2 mins Location: Belfast
Christmas in Belfast at the height of 'The Troubles'. Not the most wonderful time of year.
Watch for free
Glasgow Gets to Work Glasgow Gets to Work
Amateur film 1935 12 mins Silent Location: Glasgow
Hold on tight for a joyous ride around 1935 Glasgow's bustling road, rail and river transport network in this Scottish educational film.
Watch for free
Sunshine in Soho Sunshine in Soho
Documentary 1956 32 mins Location: Soho
1950s Soho beats with far more energy than its 21st century counterpart in this vivid time capsule.
Watch for free
Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June) Swansea, Victoria - Pontardulais Railway, 1964 (June)
Amateur film 1964 12 mins Location: Pontarddulais
“It would be difficult to find a more lovely train journey”, declares Swansea’s Librarian, the film-maker and narrator. Prepare to be beguiled, station by station.
Watch for free
A Day in the Hayfields A Day in the Hayfields
Non-Fiction 1904 3 mins Silent Location: Walton-on-Thames
Midsummer haymaking larks
Watch for free
Lonely Water Lonely Water
1973 2 mins
Terrifying public information film presenting the horrific consequences of playing in or near rivers, ponds and other water hazards.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.