Mixed farm focus for this week’s launches
Southend © Savills The market sees two productive mixed farm launches this week. At Turville near Henley-on-Thames, the 554-acre holding known as Southend runs arable, beef and sheep enterprises and has some mature woodland.
This farm, overlooking The Hambleden Valley, is in one of the best locations in Oxfordshire, says selling agent Savills, with “outstanding contours providing beautiful views and exceptional shooting drives.”
The Grade 3 land is a mixture of arable, grass for beef and sheep enterprises, and mature woodland.
See also: Bare land block numbers stay high for second year
The farmyard has a significant area of modern buildings, built for a dairy enterprise previously operated from the holding.
Equestrian facilities include stables and an outdoor manège, currently let on licences, and there is potential to re-establish a shoot.
Another feature of Southend is its large range of residential accommodation.
There are six properties in total, including the main farmhouse, with one let to a farmworker and the others on assured shorthold tenancy agreements.
Savills says there is also potential to develop another principal house and outbuildings, subject to planning consent. The firm has set a guide price of £16m.
South Lanarkshire
Canderside Farm © Galbraith
In rural South Lanarkshire, most of the 306-acre Canderside Farm is let on seasonal grazing and cropping agreements.
The current owners initially farmed the holding as tenants from 1921 before buying it.
Alistair Torrance of selling agent Galbraith says they historically run dairy, beef and arable enterprises. The land is split across four blocks, separated by public roads.
“The ploughable arable and pasture land has been worked to a good depth thanks to the rotation and healthy application of farmyard manure from both the dairy and beef enterprises over the years,” says Alistair.
The farm, which sits between Stonehouse and Larkhall, has both modern and traditional farm buildings.
In addition to the farmhouse, there is a pair of semi-detached cottages, largely in a dilapidated state but offering development opportunities, subject to consent.
Canderside Farm is on the market looking for offers of more than £1.69m for the whole, or is available in five lots.
Mixed farm market
Agents in England, Scotland and Wales are reporting greater levels of supply in the farmland market this year, mixed farming units included.
Galbraith, which operates in northern England and Scotland, says sales activity in both the farm and land market are higher than in 2023, particularly for mixed holdings.
Head of farm sales and valuations Duncan Barrie says the firm has brought a number of large mixed units to the market, predominantly as a result of their owners retiring.
“In most cases the farming units have come on the market for the first time in many years and, as such, have been met with a significant level of interest,” he says.
In general, demand for these types of holdings has been largely underpinned by interest from existing farming businesses.
As a result, all have achieved sale figures well in excess of the asking price.
Mixed units sold by the firm this year include Denbrae Farm, a 379-acre holding in Fife, in the same ownership since 1918. It was marketed for offers of more than £2.65m.
New entrant
Birdhope Farm, a 364-acre mixed farm in the upper reaches of Redesdale, Northumberland, was on the market at a guide price of £1.2m-plus and recently sold to a new entrant with ambitions to farm and pursue natural capital ventures.
Potential buyers with conservation and agroforestry interests are also drawn to mixed farms.
Jack Cooper, an associate in Savills’ rural division, says this type of buyer had been particularly active in the Midlands in the past few months, both private individuals and organisations.
“A mixed farm can suit this type of buyer having the capacity to provide land for planting and other environmental initiatives alongside productive farmland,” says Jack, adding that there are also buyers looking for the flexibility a mixed farm can offer.
“This year’s high level of supply does mean buyers have a huge choice which has led to a wide range in values achieved.”