Plenty of diversity in Cheshire estate

Cheshire farmers could soon have a chance to take on some extra acres with the sale of the Daresbury Estate, near Warrington.


As well as a serious equine element Ð the seller, Lord Daresbury, is a well-known racehorse owner Ð there are two useful blocks of farmland included in the lotted sale.

The whole estate runs to 939 acres. A range of diversification enterprises, including a big music festival, other outdoor events and several office units, means non-agricultural income exceeds £400,000 a year.

Hall Lane Farm, which includes the eight-bedroom farmhouse, 18 stables and associated buildings and equipment, two gate-lodge dwellings plus 380 acres of grassland, arable and woodland, is guided at £5.95m.

Village Farm includes an ag-tied cottage, farmyard and bungalow and 347 acres of mainly Grade 3 silt and fine loam for £2.35m. It is mostly arable, with some grass and woods.

The other main lot is 184 acres of bare land at Bog Rough which, despite its name, is of similar quality to Village Farm and valued at £1m.

Several other cottages and small parcels of land are lotted individually and complete the whole, which is guided at £11.575m. (Strutt & Parker 020 7629 7282; Knight Frank 020 7629 8171)