Large farms offer scale and scope for additional income

Farms with large acreages and enterprises generating diversified income lead a clutch of mid-April launches, bringing some scale to the market.

At a guide price of £11.5m, Manor and Field Farms near Cambridge represents a significant investment, but with 944 acres of Grade 2 farmland, a refurbished farmhouse, agricultural and commercial buildings – and an airfield – generating additional income, it has much to offer. 

James Wood, partner and head of rural agency at selling agent Bidwells, says the property has been in the same family for decades and had been farmed with meticulous care and attention.

See also: Farms and bare land launch from Northumberland to Devon

The 820 acres of arable land has Swaffham Prior series soils and typical cropping of first and second wheats, spring and winter barley, peas and sugar beet.

Rotational trial plots occupied by plant breeder KWS UK generate extra annual income, while many of the farm and aviation buildings are let to business occupiers.

Assuming an annual rent of £26,000 for the four-bedroom farmhouse, an income of about £176,000/year could be generated from the commercial and residential portfolio, Bidwells estimates.

The farm’s aviation story began in 1918 when it was a base for the Royal Flying Corps.

The airfield played a prominent role in both the First and Second World Wars and also served the US Army Air Forces.

Today it is privately run and the base for Cambridge Flying School and the British Aerobatic Academy.

Shropshire mixed farm with dairy

Whattall Farm © Strutt & Parker

The first big launch of the year in Shropshire brings to the market Whattall Farm at Colemere, near Ellesmere. This ring-fenced 826-acre holding has a combination of lighter arable ground and productive forage and grazing land.

It is run as a mixed holding and has a Holstein dairy herd. As well as modern and traditional farm buildings, there is a seven-bedroom farmhouse.

The farmstead is set around a significant central woodland and lake, adding sporting and environmental value.

Strutt & Parker and joint selling agent Savills are launching Whattall Farm at a guide price of £6.75m, also offering it in three lots.

Devon manor

Brownstone Manor © DR Kivell Country Property

Another significant offering is Brownstone Manor Farm at Yealmpton, south Devon, guided at £8.75m.

Most of the ground, which is 400 acres of Grade 2 and 3 land set in a ring-fence surrounding the farmstead, is suitable for livestock or cropping, says Geoff Lupton of selling agent DR Kivell Country Property.

It is currently farmed on annual grazing and cropping agreements.

In recent years, the owners have created 40 acres of woodland and established 12 feature lakes and ponds. A traditional barn with potential for conversion, and stable blocks, with an associated sand school, are among the range of buildings.

The six-bedroom Brownstone Manor was built in 1848 and extended by the current owners in 1995.

There are four other properties – a four-bedroom bungalow, a one-bedroom cottage established from a converted linhay barn, a two-bedroom flat, and a first floor barn conversion with one bedroom – all occupied by family or let on Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreements.

Norfolk retirement sale

Old River Farm © Brown & Co

Retirement brings another arable holding to the market near King’s Lynn. Old River Farm is 500 acres of silt, farmed in-hand, and has mostly Grade 1 land suitable for root cropping. Its extensive range of buildings includes newly built grain storage, a traditional potato store and a grading shed.

Brown & Co is guiding Old River Farm at £6.5m for the whole and is also offering it in three lots. 

Grade 2 arable in Lincs

Sheffield House Farm © Savills

In Lincolnshire, the 382-acre Sheffield House Farm at Rowston is mainly Grade 2 arable land, with some grassland and woodland, and is again set in a ring-fence.

The soils here are free draining, lime‑rich loam over chalk or limestone. The land has been farmed in-hand under a typical arable rotation incorporating winter cover crops, while the pastureland is managed by a local shepherd under a grazing licence.

There are 22 acres planted with trees under a management plan as it transitions to established woodland.

For a number of years traditional farm buildings have either been used for general storage or let informally for commercial use. Selling agent Savills says there is potential to convert or redevelop some of these.

As well as its principal four-bedroom farmhouse, the holding includes two semi‑detached cottages, one with two bedrooms, the other with three, and both are let on Assured Shorthold Tenancies.

Sheffield House Farm has a £4.9m guide price as a whole and is also being marketed in two lots.