17/08/2026
Yesterday was a very special day when I was able to give Julia Brown (aged 91) a tour of her old home, Emmetts Grange.
Julia and her husband, Josh moved to Emmetts Grange in 1969 and lived here for 25 years until 1994. During this time they ran a diverse business which consisted of bed and breakfast in the main house, self catered holiday lets in the cottages on the driveway, a substantial farming enterprise of 1000 sheep, worked by two collie dogs. In addition to this they also ran a yard full of racehorses in the courtyard.
It was fascinating to hear the anecdotes of her time at Emmetts which gave an insight in to the busy lives they led here, running the business and playing a part in the community, all whilst raising three children as well. Life on Exmoor during 70s and 80s was very different to civilisation on the moor as we know it now. Daily activities would often include running a diesel generator to power the farm (before mains electricity), milking a jersey cow and using a horse to check livestock (before quadbikes).
I particularly enjoyed hearing about how the threshing mechanism in the function barn was used to run a belt driven shearing machine in the summer months. Today this building is used as our pop up restaurant and wedding venue!
It was such a pleasure to see such enthusiasm and passion for somewhere that clearly still remains very close to her heart and whilst she has left Emmetts it was clear that the happy memories of Emmetts hadn’t left her.
