The open spaces around Home Farm, as well as the buildings, have changed a great deal. In the first half of the 19th century, a group of buildings surrounded a three-sided yard, open to the south. By the first quarter of the 19th century, other buildings were added to the north. Much of the current arrangement of buildings dates from the latter part of the 19th century, when the addition of St. James's Church in the centre of the original yard further modified the balance of open space around the Home Farm buildings. The demolition of the building to the north of the church in the second half of the 20th century has exposed views of the back of the building, and altered the centuries-old relationship between the north and south areas of Home Farm.

The Home Farm is a crucial part of the plans to redevelop the estate, and will be fully restored to provide a visitor centre, community hall and also student facilities for the Northern College. For details on the restoration plans, click here.