An understanding of the historical access into, and movement or circulation within a farmstead, is vital to conserving its character.  Within a farmstead circulation of livestock and crops created patterns of movement relating to the routeways to the buildings and working spaces.

This animation demonstrates how crops and livestock were moved between farmstead buildings and neighbouring fields around and out of a typical 19th century farmstead at different times of the year. The routeways that were used are historically important.

This visualisation of farmstead function is a helpful tool in understanding character. Some farmsteads may only have a single, private point of access, which constrains the volume of movement to and from the site, whilst others may sit alongside or astride a routeway (now either a road, track or public path) or at a junction of routeways providing public access to the centre of the farmstead.