Cumbrian fell farm seeks proactive tenant for 15-year FBT
A 72ha sheep and cattle farm in Cumbria is seeking a tenant for a 15-year agreement.
The National Trust’s Penny Hill Farm in Eskdale is a traditional Lakeland fell farm with a five-bedroom farmhouse, two-bedroom holiday cottage and a range of modern and traditional farm buildings.
A landlord’s flock of 310 Herdwick sheep and a cattle enterprise are included, and must be kept on the farm under the tenancy’s conditions, which also includes fell grazing rights.
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Penny Hill is being offered on a farm business tenancy for 15 years and six months, starting on 25 March 2019.
The farm is part of three Higher Level Stewardship agreements, expiring between 2020 and 2023, and these schemes will be transferred to the new tenant.
The children’s author Beatrix Potter owned the farm in the 1930s and bequeathed it to the trust in 1944. The property has recently become part of the English Lake District World Heritage Site.
A National Trust spokesman said: “Since our current tenants gave notice in March 2018, we’ve been working really hard to look at how farming in balance with nature will continue here and how we will work closely with our new tenants to make a successful partnership for everyone.
“This is a great opportunity for a proactive tenant to work in partnership to develop a successful business based on high-quality livestock, habitat and landscape management.”
Knowledge and experience
The trust’s ideal tenant would understand how to run a fell farming business; have strong shepherding and cattle handling knowledge and experience; be willing to actively engage with agri-environment schemes and work in a partnership; and have experience of adding value to a farm business through diversification.
The viewing day, which is mandatory, is Friday 7 September 2018 between 10am and 4pm. Viewing is by appointment only.
Application and tender forms will be available on request after the viewing day.
The closing date for tenders is Friday 28 September 2018 at 12pm.
For more information or to confirm a time to attend the viewing day call 01539 435 599 or email northwestlettings@nationaltrust.org.uk