Launches include Isle of Man holding and farm with castle

A number of standout farm and estate launches, including one with its own castle, dominate the UK farmland market this week.

From the Isle of Man to Northumberland, the properties offered for sale are notable for the diversity they offer potential buyers.

At a guide price of £7.335m the sale of the Staward Estate at Sulby, on the Isle of Man, has the highest price tag.

See also: Choice of farmland properties from Perthshire to Kent

It offers a chance to buy a mixed estate in a region renowned for arable and livestock farming, says Oliver Stones, a partner at marketing agent Alnwick Farming and Property Consultants (AFP).

With 449 acres of land, modern and traditional buildings, residential lets and development land, the estate has appeal as an investment or an in-hand dairy or arable farming operation, he says.

The land is down to arable, grassland and woodland, while the commercial farming structures include a well-equipped dairy unit with a Waikato 20:40 milking parlour.

Farm business tenancies are in place on the land and buildings until 30 September 2025.

Two cottages are let on assured shorthold tenancies.

There is planning consent to convert traditional farm buildings to residential, and an area of residential development land on a block of about four acres.

The Staward Estate, a former site for the Royal Manx Agricultural Show, is available as a whole or in up to nine lots. It is being jointly marketed by AFP and Chrystals.

Ring-fenced Northumberland farm

Willimoteswick

Willimoteswick © YoungsRPS

New to market at Bardon Mill, near Hexham, is a farm described as an “exceptional example of a productive, fully-equipped, ring-fenced Northumberland holding”, complete with a castle.

Harry Morshead, a director with selling agent YoungsRPS, says Willimoteswick offers an abundance of genuine opportunities, with 463 acres of Grade 2, 3 and 4 land, modern and traditional buildings, and three residential properties.

“With the inclusion of Willimoteswick Castle, the property is steeped in history, notoriety and prestige, complemented by a stretch of the South Tyne and ideal terrain and woodland for shooting,” he says.

“The property holds significant lifestyle, amenity and sporting appeal to complement its famed agricultural capabilities.”

As well as a four-bedroom farmhouse, there are two three-bedroom cottages, with one run as a holiday let.

A dog grooming business and a boarding kennel operate from the traditional buildings.

YoungsRPS has set a guide price of £4.4m.

Shropshire organic holding

Brooklands Farm

Brooklands Farm © Roger Parry

Business restructuring to enable the seller to focus on expanding his gelato enterprise sees a 343-acre fully equipped organic dairy farm launched in Shropshire.

The land at Brooklands Farm, Dudleston, is a combination of pasture and arable, with the arable land currently in wheat.

More than 9,300sq m of farm buildings include cubicle accommodation, loose housing, a 20:20 herringbone parlour and a 50kW roof mounted solar array.

A slurry lagoon and manure store have capacity for 11,500cu m.

Roger Parry & Partners is seeking £5.95m for Brooklands Farm, which has two farmhouses near to the yard, each with four bedrooms.

Lake District estate

Broadgate Estate

Broadgate Estate © GSCGrays

At Thwaites, on the edge of the Lake District National Park, a grassland and hill farm is coming to the market at a guide price of £3.18m.

John Coleman, head of farm agency at selling agent GSC Grays, says the Broadgate Estate has 475 acres in total.

It comprises 90 acres of productive meadowland capable of producing good yields of conservable grass, 161 acres of permanent pasture, and 161 acres of hill and rough grazing. 

There is also 63 acres of managed amenity woodland and the opportunity to create a low ground shoot.

“The amenity and natural capital are valuable components of this lovely estate,” says John.

The Grade 4 and 5 land has mostly free-draining acid loamy soils.

Farm buildings are traditional in style and there are two residential dwellings – a four bedroom farmhouse in need of refurbishment and modernisation, and a six-bedroom cottage which has previously been let on short-term tenancies.

The land has been managed around a central farm tenancy, which ends in September 2025, and there are three separate grazing agreements.

The Broadgate Estate is for sale as a whole or in seven lots.