Life on the farm: sowing seeds of change
Five wonderful opportunities to live exceptional rural lives on farming estates in Scotland and England.
For those with a passion for rural life, and a purpose-fuelled drive to protect and enhance the natural environment, farming estates present incredible opportunities. A chance to pursue your dreams and sow the seeds for real change.
Years ago, the farming focus was firmly placed on food production. But these days, diversity is key. Farming land offers huge possibilities for natural capital, biodiversity and environmental projects. That’s alongside the opportunities it presents for family life with plenty of space for kids to roam and enjoy active outdoor pursuits.
The opportunities of natural capital
What do we mean by natural capital? Put simply, it’s the sum total of the Earth’s resources, from forests and seas to minerals and biodiversity. It spans the social and environmental aspects of our planet. Consequently, the ways that we interact with nature are crucial.
Increasingly, landowners and investors are realising the potential of natural capital. There are endless opportunities to benefit from environmental assets. Both those benefits aren’t simply for the landowners (or stewards), they’re for the environment and society at large too.
The Knight Frank Rural Consultancy Team works together with landowners and stewards to make the most of these natural assets. Fundamentally, their work centres around people, planet, prosperity and purpose. These factors underpin everything they do. Generally, the key areas of focus are to increase biodiversity, offset carbon or nutrients, and to make environmental and social enhancements.
Five phenomenal farming estates for sale in the UK
There are some exceptional rural opportunities to seize right now. Here, we showcase five farming estates that are available now with Knight Frank.
Far Ralia, Cairngorms, Scotland
This is an extraordinary 3,668-acre estate in the stunning Cairngorms National Park. It presents investors with a unique chance to take part in one of the largest restoration projects in the UK. Known as Far Ralia, the estate already has an approved and fully funded reforestation scheme underway that’s estimated to sequester around 346,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its lifetime.
Claire Whitfield, a Partner in the Rural Consultancy team at Knight Frank explains, “Increasingly, investors are seeking opportunities to back at-scale UK based climate solutions that can deliver measurable impact and Far Ralia checks all those boxes.”
Situated to the south of the village of Newtonmore in the Highlands, it’s a two and a half hour drive by car to Edinburgh. Inverness Airport can be reached in an hour, offering regular flights to London and other major UK cities.
Far Ralia needs a high integrity buyer. It’s a remarkable restoration opportunity for someone who wants to make a real difference and impact. Take control over the future of this beautiful landscape and maximise the biodiversity and environmental opportunities. With a guide price of £12,000,000, Far Ralia presents ample potential to create positive environmental change.
The Bowland Estate, Scottish Borders
Agricultural, environmental and natural capital opportunities abound on this magnificent estate in the Scottish Borders. One of the finest moorland estates in the area, Bowlands comprises over 8,000 acres of land.
This outstanding estate is available as a whole, but it’s also divided into four lots. The first lot includes Bowland House, a castellated Tudor-Gothic mansion with 16 bedrooms and excellent entertaining spaces. The far-reaching views across the estate are sublime. Within the beautiful grounds are five cottages and a detached gate lodge.
Lot two is Windydoors Farm - a large pasture farm with three residential properties and various livestock buildings. Lot three presents 4,235 acres of natural moorland which is excellent for grouse shooting. It also includes a game keeper’s cottage and two bothies, as well as 89 acres of pastureland and 48 acres of woodland. Bowshank Farm and Whitelee Farm, both with four bedroom detached farmhouses, make up lots four and five. The entire Bowland Estate is available for offers in excess of £18,500,000.
This prime Northumberland livestock farm and moorland offer significant agricultural, sporting, natural capital and carbon opportunities. It’s also a spectacular place to call home.
The two lots contrast starkly. The first is the livestock farm and an attractive Grade II period stone farmhouse with a gorgeous garden and extensive rural views. The farmhouse needs some modernisation, but would make a superb family home. The farmland is interspersed with mature mixed woodland areas which add to the amenity and sporting possibilities.
The second lot is far wilder. Hagdon Farm and farmhouse are situated in the heart of the Northumberland moor in a wonderful, secluded position with extraordinary views. Again, the farmhouse needs work to reach its potential. Combined with the various outbuildings, there are many options for its usage. The two lots combined have an asking price of £9,500,000.
Great Park and Thorley Farm, Isle of Wight
The chance to own significant and diverse acreage on the Isle of Wight doesn’t occur often. Here, there are 1,478 acres of varied landscapes, including a historic deer park along with a beautiful Grade II listed house, cottages and farm buildings.
A wonderful family home, the farmhouse spans three floors with six bedrooms, four bathrooms and three reception rooms. There’s a lovely garden, complete with tennis court, and amazing views across the landscape. The farm buildings vary from the traditional to the modern. There are also two semi-detached cottages.
Great Park Farm comprises undulating farmland with ancient woodland, comprising oak, ash and hazel and offers productive farming, environmental benefits or sporting opportunities
Then, there’s Thorley Farm which extends to 550.64 acres, a mix of woodland, water, pasture and arable. Positioned on the outskirts of Yarmouth, it benefits from incredible views over the sea and along the estuary. Available in its entirety for £17,000,000 or as two separate lots, Great Park and Thorley Farms are exceptional options.
Set in the heart of Exmoor, this manorial estate comprises the 198 acre Lanacre Farm and 1,878 acres of moorland. The views across Exmoor and along the River Barle are quite exceptional.
Lanacre Farmhouse makes a welcoming family home spanning three floors. The large Georgian detached house has five bedrooms and three large reception rooms.
Additional properties on the farm can provide additional accommodation or income generation. There are two semi-detached bungalows, a spacious two bedroom cottage and a smaller one bedroom cottage.
Lanacre Farm comprises 179 acres of pasture and 15 acres of mature woodland. The River Barle - renowned for its brown trout and salmon - runs through it, providing fishing opportunities. Lanacre Farm has a guide price of £4,500,000. The moorland is a separate lot with a guide price of £1,000,000.
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