The Farms & Land Market 2022

Agricultural land values in England have reached their highest level since 2016, with the majority of farms and parcels of land now selling well in excess of their guide price, writes Ross Willmington, partner in our Axminster Office.

The average value of arable land is currently at £9,500 per acre –a significant rise since the end of 2021, this is 2% higher than a year ago. The average value of pasture is £7,500 per acre, which is 3% higher than 12 months ago. Averages often disguise that there is still very wide variability in the prices being paid, influenced by location, quality of land and the level of local interest, but the trend continues to be one of growth.

values fuelled by strong demand from regional, national and increasing numbers of international buyers.

The high prices being achieved are also starting to turn heads and entice some of our clients to sell if they are nearing retirement and have no successor.

The average value of arable land is currently at £9,500 per acre – a significant rise since the end of 2021, this is 2% higher than a year ago.

However, it seems unlikely that supply will increase significantly to change the balance of the market, given the level of pent-up demand for farms and land.

Demand continues to outweigh supply, leading to stiff competition for nearly all farms marketed. Sizeable commercial and residential farms are still rare on the open market and we have a huge list of applicants looking for the right farm in the southwest. Low supply means high

Our team of farm agents (pictured) recently had a very productive meeting in The London Office to discuss our specialist strategy for marketing farms and land. If you are considering your options and need fresh, independent advice, contact a member of our Farm Agency team in your nearest office.

Andrew Tuffin, Partner, Head of Farm Agency

Dewlish, Dorset

389 acres (157 ha)

A productive arable farm in the heart of Dorset. Level and rolling chalk downland in a quiet rural position with far reaching views. Two grain stores, dryer and former parlour with potential. Off lying block of 83 acres. Available as a whole or in 4 lots.

Andrew Tuffin 01258 472244 & Will Wallis 01305 236572

Guide £4,435,000 (whole)

Stubhampton, Dorset

143 acres (57.8 ha)

A well-equipped grassland farm in the Cranborne Chase. A secluded 5 bedroom farmhouse with annexe in a superb private setting. Stable yard with 3 farm buildings, 11 loose boxes & rest room. Ménage, paddocks, picturesque downland pasture and valley and woodland.

EPC D. CT Band F. JSA Strutt & Parker

Andrew Tuffin 01258 472244

Guide £2,800,000

Wanstrow, Somerset

183 acres (70.45 ha)

A well-equipped dairy farm. Two dwellings, a range of modern and traditional farm buildings and internal cow tracks throughout, in an elevated position on the edge of the Mendips between Frome and Bruton. EPC F. CT Band G.

Chris Powell or Jack Denning-James 01380 710535

Guide £2,900,000

Twyford, Dorset

142.21 acres (57.56 ha)

A livestock holding in a pleasant location south of Shaftesbury. 3 Bedroom Grade II Listed farmhouse with attached cottage, farm buildings and approximately 140.64 acres of ring fenced pasture land. To Let on behalf of Dorset Council on a 10 year Farm Business Tenancy. EPC F. CT Band C.

Greg Ridout 01935 423526

Lifton, Devon 131.55 acres (53.23 ha)

A well situated farm on the Devon/Cornwall border. Handsome Grade II Listed 5 bedroom farmhouse with annexe in charming gardens. Pretty pasture and woodland with pond and river frontage. For sale as a whole or in two lots. EPC Exempt. CT Band F.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122

Guide £2,000,000 (Whole)

Sidbury Devon 86.16 acres (34.87 ha)

A well-situated small farm set in the Roncombe Valley. 3-bedroom bungalow (AOC) for improvement, garaging and farm buildings set in pretty pasture and woodland with stream running through. For sale in two lots. CT Band F. EPC E.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122

Guide £1,150,000 (whole)

Publow, Somerset 124.26 acres (50.32 ha)

Lot 1: 122.87 acres of productive grassland with some wooded areas with good access, Guide £1,000,000.

Lot 2: A barn in 1.39 acres with consent to create a 5 bedroom home in the Chew Valley. Guide £500,000.

Jack Denning-James 01380 710535

Guide £1,500,000 (Whole)

Sturminster Marshall, Dorset 91.27 acres (36.94 ha)

An attractive grassland farm. 4/5 bedroom farmhouse substantial range of traditional and modern farm buildings, and ring-fenced south-facing permanent pasture. Available as a whole or in 3 lots. EPC G. CT Band F. JSA Savills.

Morgan Clement 01202 882103

Guide £2,200,000 (whole)

Trinity Hill, Devon

100.47 acres (40.66 ha)

An unusual opportunity to acquire a major section of the wellknown local Trinity Hill Forest, an area of mixed woodland close to Lyme Regis. Freehold but subject to long lease in favour of The Forestry Commission.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122 Guide £45,000

Toller Whelme, Dorset 75.74 acres (30.65 ha)

An attractive residential farm. Modern 4 bedroom farmhouse (AOC) and mature gardens set in a secluded hamlet. Versatile outbuildings, excellent equine facilities including outdoor arena, arable land, pastureland and paddocks. EPC D. CT Band E.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122 Guide £1,750,000

Minterne Magna, Dorset 75.66 acres (30.62 ha)

Lot 1: 43.21 acres of productive level chalk arable land. Guide: £365,000

Lot 2: 32.45 acres of mature mixed broadleaf woodland with a small disused limekiln. Guide £125,000.

Andrew Tuffin 01258 472244 Guide: £490,000 (whole)

Clayhidon, Devon 66.35 acres (26.84 ha)

A residential farm with a 5/6 bedroom Grade II Listed farmhouse requiring modernisation. Traditional barns with PP to convert. Modern farm buildings. Pastureland with a stream. EPC Exempt. CT Band F.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122 Guide: £1,390,000 (whole)

Hawkridge, Exmoor 53.82 acres (21.78 ha)

An attractive farm in a glorious position in the heart of Exmoor National Park with holiday cottages, stables and outbuildings, woodland and river frontage.

EPC E. CT Band F.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122 Guide £1,950,000

Stour Row, Dorset 64.83 acres (26.24 ha)

A level and productive block of pasture land and a block of mixed broadleaf plantation. Ringfenced and currently registered organic. Of appeal to investors seeking land for Biodiversity Net Gain.

Andrew Tuffin 01258 472244 Guide £575,000

East Orchard, Dorset

61.52 acres (24.89 ha)

38.60 acres of pastureland.

Guide: £340,000

22.92 acres of pastureland

Guide: £200,000

Andrew Tuffin 01258 472244

Guide: £540,000 (whole)

Marston Magna, Somerset

50.82 acres (19.76ha)

A former dairy farm with 5 bedroom bungalow (AOC), farm buildings. For sale as a whole or in two lots.

EPC F. CT Band C.

Lucy Carnell 01935 423526

Guide £875,000

Stoodleigh, Devon

47.54 acres (19.24ha)

A fine residential farm with a 5 bedroom house, outbuildings, stables and outdoor arena, pasture and mixed woodland.

EPC E. CT Band G.

Ross Willmington 01297 33122

Guide £1,250,000

Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset

39.39 acres (15.94 ha)

A spacious farmhouse (AOC) for modernisation with 25 stables, level pastureland set at the end of a no-through lane. EPC D. CT Band G.

Lucy Carnell 01935 423526

Guide £1,225,000

Fordingbridge, Hampshire

28.22 acres (1.42 ha)

A block of land adjoining the open forest on the outskirts of Woodgreen set in a delightfully peaceful setting within the New Forest National Park.

Jack Edwards 01722 334323

Guide £650,000

Auction

Metcombe, Devon

22.21 acres (8.99 ha)

An attractive residential farm. 4 bedroom farmhouse (Grade II*). Courtyard with potential (STPP), farm buildings. EPC Exempt. CT Band E.

Ross Willmington 0129733122

Guide £890,000 (whole)

Penderleath, Cornwall

18.96 acres (7.61ha)

A useful block of land extending to 18.96 acres (7.61 hectares) having potential for a variety of uses subject to consents.

Graham Barton 01297 33122

Guide £110,000

Leckhampstead, Berkshire

22.44 acres (9.08 ha)

A development site with consent for a 4 bedroom detached house and agricultural building in an attractive West Berkshire Village.

Jack Denning-James 01380 710535

Guide £1,200,000

Coombe Bissett, Wiltshire

11.57 acres (4.68ha)

A substantial 5 bedroom farmhouse with annexe, significant buildings, campsite, glasshouses, stables, yard and paddocks.

EPC E. CT Band A.

Jack Edwards 01722 334323

Guide £1,400,000