A rare opportunity has arisen for a forward-thinking occupier to take on the management of a significant farm extending to 514 hectares (1,270.5 acres) on the Castle Hill Estate, near South Molton, North Devon.

Time is tight for applications, with tenders needed by noon August 4.
Previously let as one well-equipped dairy holding, The Home Farms are available as a whole or in six lots, with the Estate open to all forms of occupation, including a contract farming arrangement, share farming agreement or farm business tenancy.
The gently undulating land is laid to pasture and arable and classed as predominantly Grade 3 with areas of Grade 4.
The current tenant has occupied the holding for over 12 years. It has been farmed as a whole with the existing herd being milked, until recently, from two separate parlours.
The Castle Hill Estate is developing a long-term strategy for the different farming enterprises across the wider Estate. Its aim is to support diverse, sustainable farming enterprises, with a particular focus on improving the natural environment and embracing innovation.
Harry Gosling of Savills, who is marketing the property, comments: "This is a significant opportunity and certainly not one that comes around every day. The Estate sees it as a chance to work with the future occupier of the land to enhance the environmental resources and biodiversity across the holding. On this basis, we are looking for applicants with a desire to improve the environment, land and soils they would occupy, perhaps through diversification and/or regenerative farming.
"Applicants should focus on where they can work with the Estate to optimise any grant funding opportunities or environmental schemes in the future, with this collaborative approach forming the basis of any relationship."
Lot 1 (Barnstable Lodge and Home Farm) comprises approximately 156.7 hectares (387 acres) of permanent pasture, grass leys and areas of arable ground, set out around two farmyards and providing a mixed grazing platform. It includes one of the main farmyards on the holding, Home Farm, as well as the dairy and further buildings at Barnstable Lodge.
Lot 2 (East Clatworthy and Deer Park Farm) comprises a range of buildings and another of the Estate’s milking parlours at East Clatworthy Farm. The land comprises predominantly level areas of permanent pastures, totalling 199.9 hectares (493.97 acres) with a good range of field sizes.
Lot 3 (Park Farm) is located to the north of the A361 and comprises a block of bare land split into parcels of both arable and permanent pasture extending to approximately 61.44 hectares (151.85acres).
Lot 4 (Arable Land at Bremridge) is made up of four relatively equal sized arable fields totalling 18.32 hectares (45.27 acres).

Lot 5 (Arable Land at New Lights) comprises two large arable fields totalling approximately 15.85 hectares (39.18 acres).
Lot 6 (Parkland at Castle Hill) extends to approximately 61.96 hectares (153.1 acres) and is made up of part of the Grade I listed parkland surrounding Castle Hill House, as well as areas of pasture beneath the A361 viaduct. The parkland is to be offered on a grazing licence from year to year or on a contract farming arrangement, enabling the owners to influence the farming over this area of land.

There are also four residential cottages that can be made available for any incoming tenant(s).
Savills is offering The Home Farms at the Castle Hill Estate to let by informal tender. 
Three viewing days will take place on Wednesday 12th July, Friday 14th July and Friday 21st July 2023.
Viewing is by appointment only with applicants required to submit a pre-application beforehand.
Tenders should be submitted in writing by the deadline of noon on Friday 4th August 2023.
For further information or to arrange a viewing please contact Harry Gosling at hgosling@savills.com or Tom Morrison at tom.morrison@savills.com.