Spoilt for choice in south west
Buyers have a wide choice of livestock units in the West Country whether they are looking for true agricultural units or a wider income base.
In Cornwall, Higher Pennycrocker Farm, Boscastle combines idyllic views with productive organic pasture. At 166 acres, it includes an agriculturally-tied six-bed bungalow with some holiday use, a range of modern farm buildings, and well-fenced grassland. Higher Pennycrocker is for sale through D R Kivell & Partners at £1.3m. (D R Kivell & Partners 01822 810810)
Just down the road at Delabole, Helland Barton Farm has rather more diversified income. With 119 acres of pasture it has a large stone farmhouse, three holiday cottages, a family shoot and a wind turbine. “We also have a couple of farms in Devon for sale privately, but stock is getting a bit short now,” said agent Penny Dart, of Savills, which has set a guide price of £1.95m for the farm. (Savills 01392 455 747)
Strutt & Parker has a 135-acre livestock farm on Dartmoor, near Drewsteignton, for sale. It includes 25,000sq ft of covered yards, well-fenced pasture and a bungalow in need of improvement. A new Higher Level Stewardship scheme will yield £8000 a year for the next decade, and the farm is priced at £950,000. “It will probably sell to a farmer looking to increase – or perhaps downscale – in size,” said agent James Baker. (Strutt & parker 01392 215 631)
At the smaller end of the scale, Jubilee Farm, Winkleigh has a guide price of £650,000, with 71 acres of pasture and an agriculturally-tied four-bed farmhouse.
“It is a real agricultural farm rather than a residential type,” said Andrew Dodds from agent Stags. (Stags 01392 215 631)
Richard Nocton, partner at Woolley & Wallis, expected the market to exit its seasonal slump earlier than usual.
“Any sellers that want to beat the stamp duty increase next April will have to come to the market fairly soon – and there are very definitely farms coming up – I think the spring market will be very active.” (Woolley & Wallis 01672 515 252)