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386.39 acres, Wheelbirks Estate, Stocksfield, NE43, Northumberland
For Sale - Guide Price £6,750,000

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• 7 bedroom principal Farmhouse
• 4 bedroom Farmhouse
• 3 let Cottages
• Ice cream Parlour & café
• Extensive range of farm buildings
• 271 acres of productive farmland
• 110 acres of woodland
• Commercial lettings

A beautifully situated mixed farming and residential Estate lying in the Tyne Valley including the successful Wheelbirks Ice Cream Parlour. In all about 386.39 acres (156.37 ha).




Description

The Wheelbirks Estate extends to 386 acres and lies within a ringfence in an unspoilt yet accessible location on the south side of the Tyne Valley. The Estate has been owned and farmed by 5 generations of the Richardson family since it was bought in 1882 by David Richardson, a Quaker leather manufacturer. As a result of his vision, there has been extensive woodland planting and the introduction of a pedigree Jersey dairy herd. The installation of icecream making facilities was in 1998, and in 2010 the opening of the extremely successful Ice cream parlour and café. The Richardson family have created a truly unique mixed farming, residential, commercial and amenity estate lying within a ringfence. The Estate, which lies in attractive rolling countryside has been enhanced in recent years by further tree planting and hedgerow improvements under the Countryside Stewardship Schemes, whilst the farming activity has decreased with the majority of the land currently managed under an SFI scheme. This approach offers the purchaser the option to enjoy and manage the Estate for conservation and amenity purposes, or to once again increase the commercial farming activity.

Wheelbirks Parlour which lies at the heart of the farm is a well known and successful enterprise including the Ice cream cafe and orchard garden with potential for further growth. The substantial range of farm buildings are suitable for a range of farming or further commercial activities. The woodland has been managed on a commercial basis providing opportunities to generate income from further felling and timber sales. The land is well suited to the running of a small shoot as an added attraction. All of this is enhanced by the scale and quality of the residential accommodation including the seven bedroom principal farmhouse, the four bedroom East Cottage both set in delightful gardens together with three further let cottages.

Whilst the family’s preference is for a sale of the Estate as a whole, the east drive, which provides a beautiful approach to East and West Cottages does provide an opportunity for lotting. In summary the sale of the Wheelbirks Estate offers an extremely rare opportunity to acquire a beautifully situated diversified business within the Tyne Valley.

LOCATION & SITUATION
The Estate lies within a private and unspoilt rural location on the south side of the Tyne Valley with good access to the major communication networks. There is a station at Stocksfield approximately 2.7 miles from the farm. The main east coast rail line at Newcastle is 15 miles east and Newcastle International Airport is 19 miles to the north east. The A68 and A69 trunk roads provide good road access and link to the A1 and main road networks. The property lies within commuting distance of Newcastle and for commercial enterprises has access to a large population within an hours drive. The Estate is accessible to the sporting and leisure facilities at Close House, Matfen Hall and Slaley Hall, and is only 5 miles from the North Pennines National Landscape Area which includes the Derwent Reservoir, the village of Blanchland, as well as Hadrian’s Wall further north.

DESCRIPTION
The Estate as a whole lies within a ringfence extending to approximately 386 acres (156 hectares) which includes 184 acres (74 hectares) of potential arable land and 87 acres (35 hectares) of permanent pasture bordered by 110 acres (44 hectares) of mixed age well managed woodland. The main farm steading is centrally placed where there is a substantial range of farm buildings part supporting the farming business and part now developed into the Parlour, café and commercial offices. The principal farmhouse lies in a south facing position adjacent to the buildings in addition to which there is a pair of cottages known as North and South Cottages. The land mainly lies between 90 and 150 metres above sea level including productive grade 3 soils well suited to arable or livestock enterprises. There is good access to most fields from internal access tracks, and there is a second driveway into the Estate from the east providing a very attractive approach to East and West Cottages and the former Motor House building. The individual properties are described in more detail below.

Please download the PDF sale brochure for full descriptions of all the properties, buildings and land, or contact the selling agents to receive a copy.


Acreage: 386.39 Acres