Essex and Devon holdings offer diverse incomes

Two farms with productive land, large period houses and income-generating diversifications are new to the market in England as the shift in seasons kick-starts a fresh wave of spring launches.

See also: Estates market faces drop in buyer interest

Essex arable with vineyard

Hole Farm © Brown & Co

Brown & Co has launched 423-acre Hole Farm at Finchingfield, near Braintree, Essex – a farm with productive arable land, a six-bedroom farmhouse and an eight-acre vineyard.

Selling agent Robert Fairey describes the farm as a rare offering.

The Grade 2 land, which is under-drained and has mostly slowly permeable clayey soils, has been farmed in a combinable crop rotation.

The arable land has been farmed in-hand and there is about 8-acres of grazing land.

“There are some small areas of woodland that give amenity and sporting potential plus a vineyard planted in 2019,” says Robert.

The range of modern and traditional buildings includes a 2021-built steel portal frame grain store for up to 2,000t. There is also a smaller grain store, and a machinery shed.

The vineyard diversification enterprise is registered with the Food Standards Agency and its grape varieties include Bacchus, Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc, Pinot Meunier, Rondo and Solaris.

After a significant programme of modernisation five years ago, the three-storey farmhouse is let as holiday accommodation.

In addition, full planning consent has been secured to build a five-bedroom house on the site of a former barn. Hole Farm is on the market at a guide price of £5.2m and is also available in two lots.

Devon farm with multiple dwellings  

Broomborough House Farm © Savills

In Devon, 168-acre Broomborough House Farm, near Totnes, is being launched at a guide price of £3.525m.

Selling agent Savills describes it as having an “impressive blend of heritage, scale and opportunity for buyers seeking a distinguished country property with meaningful agricultural, residential and lifestyle appeal”.

The land is mainly used for grazing and silage.

It is classified as Grade 2 and 3, with soils that are typically free-draining, slightly acidic, and with a mix of base-rich and loamy profiles.

Shooting and sporting rights are included in the sale.

The modern and traditional buildings include a general-purpose shed, former poultry housing and structures with redevelopment potential, subject to planning consent.

A walled garden behind the farmyard contains two static homes – these are subject to a ground rent agreement and are not included in the sale.

A principal feature of the farm is a mid-19th century Grade II listed house, a seven-bedroom property set in an elevated position with far-reaching views over Totnes.

The house has two annexe flats, one with three bedrooms and another with one.

Four one- or two-bedroom cottages are let as rental properties.

Savills agent Penny Dart says the cottages offer flexibility – either retained as longer-term residential lets, adapted for short-stay holiday accommodation, or repurposed for alternative uses.

Broomborough House Farm has a guide price of £3.525m and is also being offered for sale in up to four lots.

Pasture and holiday let income 

Robertsacre Farm © Stags

Also in Devon, relocation has brought Robertsacre Farm to the market. This generates diversification income from two holiday cottages with a strong historic performance, says selling agent Stags.

The 78-acre holding at Dunsford, near Exeter, has a ring-fenced block of Grade 3 pastureland with free-draining, slightly acid and loamy soils.

The land, which is used for grazing and mowing, has internal tracks, a natural water supply and small parcels of woodland. 

The farm’s modern and traditional buildings have potential for alternative uses, subject to planning.

Stags has set a guide price of £850,000.