Swarthghyll Farm, Oughtershaw, Buckden, Skipton

DESCRIPTION
Swarthghyll Farmhouse briefly comprises a traditional stone-built farmhouse with a stone flagged roof. It provides spacious accommodation and whilst having just 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, there is further potential to incorporate the first-floor apartment and to reconfigure the accommodation to create a good sized 4/5 bedroom house. The main reception rooms are very well proportioned and include a large dining room, drawing room, sitting room and a large family kitchen. The house has been very well maintained and importantly, the key character features have been retained throughout.

To the east side of the courtyard, the traditional stone buildings have been created into 3 flats, two of which sleep 2 people and a third, on the first floor, which sleeps 4. These have been well utilised to provide a first-class business stream which could be developed further.

To the west side of the courtyard, lies a partially converted barn with further potential and a first floor apartment which has just been recently converted to a high specification. This is accessed by external stone steps and as such, could also be used as guest accommodation for family or rental use.

To the north side of the courtyard, a very substantial barn has been created into a large bunk house which can accommodate up to 40 people in various dormitories. This barn is built into the hillside and on the upper ground floor, there is a large communal kitchen, substantial common room with impressive feature beams and a games/party room, again with feature beams to the ceilings. This barn has been used to host weddings and parties on an occasional basis, and this could again be developed further by the discerning purchaser.

The newly constructed bungalow lies to the north of the farm steading in a quiet and secluded location. It stands well in an elevated position and is well screened from the main property. It therefore offers potential for separate accommodation or even sale if not required by the buyer(s). It is important to note that this does require completion but is at first fix level and will require windows and doors to be fitted. The bungalow is subject to an agricultural restriction.

The farm buildings are situated away from the main farm steading yet in close proximity, and comprise a range of modern general-purpose portal framed agricultural buildings. These include covered sheep handling facilities and are also suitable for a range of livestock housing, machinery storage and other lifestyle uses. One of the three buildings is home to the array of solar photovoltaic cells (20 kilowatts) and the wind turbine is also located adjacent to the farm buildings. It is also felt that there is further opportunity to develop a hydro electric scheme on the estate for those discerning purchasers who have an interest in being self-sufficient.

The whole property provides extensive accommodation as summarised on the floor plans within this sales brochure.

The property is complemented by approximately 100 acres of mixed grass and woodland which provides that all important amenity value. The land also supports an active farm use including sheep and beef settlers, as well as a range of Environmental Stewardship, Forestry and Natural Capital development.

Future buyers could potentially farm the land themselves or enter into another agreement. Alternatively, a lifestyle buyer may wish to consider planting trees or ‘re-wild' hillside areas of land.
Importantly, the whole farm is heated and provided with hot water via a commercial biomass system which is eligible to receive RHI Payments.

In summary, Swarthghyll Farm provides the unique opportunity to purchase a quite unique and substantial small estate in a quiet and secluded location in the very heart of the Yorkshire Dales. It is rare for such a property to come onto the open market and provides some paralleled opportunities for a complete lifestyle change and to expand the already established business. An early viewing is therefore strongly advised.