Manor Farm, Middleham, Leyburn, DL8 4RH

Property Description

MANOR FARM, MIDDLEHAM, LEYBURN, NORTH YORKSHIRE, DL8 4RH

FOR SALE AS A WHOLE

A highly desirable grass farm in a picturesque & secluded location to the west of Middleham & south east of Middleham Low Moor on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park- approx. 289 acres in total.

Introduction

Manor Farm is brought to the market by the Executors. of the late Mrs. Lenore Peacock, owner of Manor House Stud, Middleham. It represents a very rare opportunity to acquire an attractive ring-fenced grassland farm that has a rich history in terms of success and connections within the racehorse industry. The Farm also has historical links with Middleham in that William’s Hill is located within the holding and is the late 11th century motte and bailey castle. The predecessor to Middleham Castle and sited to dominate both Wensleydale and Coverdale, and the ancient road from Richmond to Skipton.

Manor House Stud is one of the most successful Studs in Yorkshire with a proud history of Classic wins and Champion sprinters. Dante set the ball rolling winning the English Derby in 1945 and his full brother Sajayirao won the Irish Derby in 1947. A near miss in the Kentucky Derby by Bold Arrangement 2nd prevented a triple Derby win.

An English and Irish 2000 guineas win by Tirol 1990 provided two more classic wins and more recently Australian champion sprinter Redkirk Warriors three Gr1 wins and Belvior Bays 2019 Breeder’s Cup win Gr1 breaking the track record at Santa Anita. Some of the many hundreds of winners bred at Manor House Stud.

Situation

Leyburn 2.5 miles, Masham 9 miles, Bedale 12 miles, Catterick Garrison 11 miles, Richmond 12 miles, Hawes 18.5 miles (all distances are approximate).

Manor Farm is ideally situated in a secluded but accessible rural location on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park to the west of the market town of Middleham, which has become synonymous as the centre of the race horse industry in the North of England. The main farmstead has a protected and attractive position, set at the end of a private driveway, which is accessed off Coverham Lane below Middleham Low Moor and the Gallops.

The market town of Leyburn is 2.5 miles north-west of Middleham and has developed as the traditional centre for mid-Wensleydale and is often referred to as the Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. The town supports an array of shops, restaurants, schools, pubs, churches, sports facilities as well as an auction mart.

In terms of wider transport links, the A1 motorway is accessible at Catterick (13 miles), Bedale (12 miles) and Scotch Corner (18 miles). Trains on the East Coast main line stop at both Northallerton (35 mins) and Darlington (45 mins). The closest international airports are at Newcastle (1.5 hours) and Leeds Bradford (1.25 hours).

Directions

Follow the A6108 into Middleham Market Place and turn right on to Coverham Lane. Follow this road out of Middleham towards Coverham and after 1⁄2 mile the road rises up on to Middleham Low Moor. The entrance to the farm is on the left hand side and you will see the stone with the words ‘Dante 1945’ to the right of the main entrance gates. See Location Plan.

Description

Manor Farm is a productive grass farm in an extremely picturesque and readily accessible rural location. The farm stands well with a south facing aspect sloping gently down to the woodland on the southern boundary and with attractive views over towards Braithwaite Moor. The Farmstead itself sits at 180m above sea level and the land rises from 140m up to 190m above sea level. It represents a rare opportunity to purchase a ring-fenced commercial unit with the added benefit of the southern boundary being a woodland area adjoining the River Cover and including a stretch of river-bank for private fishing. The farm is all laid to grass with a mains water supply serving the various troughs across the holding. The core areas surrounding the farm steading have been used primarily for the grazing of horses in connection with the Stud and the outer areas for livestock grazing and mowing.

Farmhouse

The farmhouse is a 3 bedroom detached property together with an adjoining traditional range of barns/stores. The property would benefit from some level of modernisation and remodelling but the current accommodation comprises:- Dining Room, Lounge, Kitchen, Study/Bedroom 3 and Bathroom on the ground floor and 2 Double Bedrooms, one with Ensuite Shower Room (disused) on the first floor. It benefits from upvc double glazed windows and external doors throughout, oil-fired central heating, and a multi-fuel stove in the lounge. To the front of the property there is a flagged area with flower borders and beyond an enclosed lawn or garth with access through a separate gate. To the rear there is an enclosed walled garden with trees and shrubs. Adjoining the farmhouse there is a single storey outbuilding immediately west of the kitchen and to the east of the property there is a single storey range of outbuildings which currently house the oil boiler and provide further storage. However, these buildings could be converted to provide additional accommodation subject to necessary planning consents.

Farm Buildings

In the main yard to the east of the farmhouse there is a 5 bay clear span portal frame building (80ft x 55ft) currently used as an American barn with 16 loose boxes, adjacent to this is a single storey range of stores and a further 4 bay clear span portal frame livestock building (65ft x 55ft). Adjoining the livestock building there is a traditional hay barn and boxes with loft area above. Further east of the main block of buildings there is a range of 6 timber loose boxes and due south of the main yard there is a further range of 10 loose timber boxes. South of the main range of buildings is a 4 bay open fronted Dutch barn (60ft x 25ft). To the west of the farmhouse, there is a courtyard with a further range of 15 timber loose boxes together with a steel frame implement shed with profile sheet cladding and roof.

Land

The holding extends to 289 acres in total of which there is approx. 260.44 acres of Grade 3 & 4 ‘BPS eligible’ grassland together with 20.36 acres of woodland and single bank fishing on the River Cover. The soils are generally described as “free draining, slightly acidic, loamy soils”. The land is accessed from the main farmstead, Coverham Lane as well as Canaan Lane behind Middleham Castle. It is ring fenced and is bounded by fences and drystone walls and there are several traditional field barns that are useful for storage mainly in the south-eastern block. The land is served by troughs connected to the mains water supply.

Services

Mains Single Phase Electricity.

Foul Drainage to Septic Tank as shown marked ‘ST’ on the plan.

Oil Fired Central Heating.

Mains Water Supply (metered) serving the farmhouse, buildings and all of the water troughs shown on the plan.

Council Tax

The property is in Band D for Council Tax.

Sporting Rights

The shooting and fishing rights are included in the sale.

The general topography complemented by the small wood and river form the basis of a potentially attractive small shoot.

Mineral Rights

The mineral rights are in hand and are included in the sale as far as they are owned.

Basic Payment Scheme

The land is registered with the Rural Payments Agency and is to be sold with the benefit of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) Entitlements at no additional cost. The 105.40 Non-SDA entitlements are currently held by and have been claimed by the vendor for the 2020 season and the claim payment will be apportioned on a pro-rata basis as at the date of completion. The Purchaser(s) will be obligated to continue to manage the land in compliance with the scheme rules for the remainder of the calendar year and will be required to indemnify the Vendor from any breach or non-compliance.

The Vendor will endeavour to facilitate the transfer to the Purchaser(s) of normal Non-SDA Entitlements. John G. Hills & Partners will administer the transfer and charge the Purchaser(s) a fee of £250 plus VAT.

Nitrate Vulnerable Zone

The farm is NOT in an NVZ.

Environmental Schemes

The land is NOT currently in any Environmental Scheme.

General Stipulations and Remarks

Viewing

Strictly by prior appointment through Sole Agents, John G. Hills & Partners.

Tenure

The farm is offered for sale freehold and vacant possession will be given upon completion. The title is registered with the Land Registry under Title Numbers: NYK390001 & NYK458690.

Method of Sale

The farm is offered for sale by private treaty, however the Agents reserve the right to conclude negotiations by any other means at their discretion

Covenants, Easements, Wayleaves and Rights of Way

The farm is sold subject to all covenants, easements, wayleaves and rights of way whether specifically mentioned in these particulars or not. Without prejudice to the foregoing the property is sold subject to the following:

1. The approximate route of the various public footpaths that cross the farm are marked as dotted blue lines on the plan.

Boundaries

The Vendor will only sell such interest they have in the boundary fences, walls, ditches, hedges and other boundaries separating this property from other properties not belonging to them. Where the boundaries are marked by inward facing T marks, these are understood to be the responsibility of the purchaser(s).

Fixtures and Fittings

Only those fixtures and fittings referred to in the sales particulars are included in the sale.

Health & Safety

Please take care when viewing the property particularly as this is a working farm. For your own personal safety, you should remain as vigilant as possible particularly around livestock, horses, farm machinery and the buildings

Offers

All offers must be in writing. We will not report any verbal offer unless it is confirmed in writing. Please confirm whether your offer is a cash offer or subject to a mortgage or property sale

Money Laundering Regulations

Prospective purchasers should be aware that in the event that they are successful, they will be required to provide us with documents in relation to the Money Laundering Regulations, one being photographic ID (Passport or Driving Licence) and the second being a recent utility bill confirming your address.

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