Upton Bishop, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

A unique farm surrounded by its own land where careful organic management over the past 40 years has enhanced the traditional hay meadows, pasture and woodland to create a diverse and beautiful landscape rich in wildlife.

Situated in a private, rural location and approached via its own driveway The Castle Farm is an unspoilt farm which has been carefully nurtured by the current owner. The farm comprises a unique six-bedroom farmhouse, a one bedroom annexe, traditional outbuildings and modern farm buildings. Extending as a whole to approximately 116 acres of beautiful organic, gently rolling grassland and woodland with enviable views across to the Malvern Hills.

The Castle Farm is exceptionally rich in wildlife including some endangered species. The farm has been managed over many years to enhance biodiversity by careful habitat management and organic farming.

Castle Farmhouse is located at the end of the private farm drive, formerly an agricultural barn and converted by the current owner in 1984 incorporating part of the original features, the house has a castellated exterior adding to the charm. Predominately of stone construction the property is unlisted and sits in the centre of its own land.

The historic and impressive front door leads into the entrance hall which has original flagstone flooring and provides access to; the attractive farmhouse kitchen with exposed beams and oil fired aga with adjoining light and airy dining room with double doors to the garden. The great hall is an extremely light room with floor to ceiling windows in place of the former barn doors and striking stone fireplace. From the great hall is the south facing drawing room with sash windows looking out to the gardens and swimming pool. Completing the ground floor isa useful utility room, downstairs cloakroom, pantry, office and main office with a door to the courtyard garden.

On the first floor is; the south facing principle bedroom with an ensuite bathroom, galleried landing looking over the great hall, four double bedrooms and two bathrooms. A secondary staircase accessed from a hallway adjacent to the entrance hall provides alternative access to the first floor. A second floor provides a large double bedroom with triple aspect windows.

An attractive single storey former farm building conversion known as the Green Room is located adjacent to the farmhouse. Benefitting from a utility room, kitchen/breakfast room, sitting room and double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Parking adjoins the annexe with access to the courtyard garden. A number of traditional outbuildings surround the courtyard. Adjoining the eastern elevation of the main office are two traditional stone built stables with stairs to a first floor store. Forming part of the same building as the Green Room is a small library and boiler room. There is a covered walkway providing access to the outdoor swimming pool area and potting shed.

The garden and grounds surround the farmhouse with views over the farmland. Located to the southern elevation of the farmhouse is an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by lawn which leads down to the orchards. A courtyard garden is located between the farmhouse and the Green Room and is filled with roses and shrubs leading up to the farmhouse back door. Gardens to the western elevation of the house can be accessed from the great hall and dining room. With brick paths surrounding flower beds and bordered by espalier apple trees and brick steps leading up to an archway providing access to the adjoining meadow behind traditional wrought iron fencing.

Two sets of farm buildings are located on either side of the main electric farm gates and comprise; a 4 x bay open fronted storage building with one fully enclosed bay with steel doors, a 6 x bay modern open fronted timber framed building with internal partitions and adjoining concrete yard and a 2 x bay timber framed livestock/ storage building. The buildings are currently used for storage and livestock handling/ housing however could be utilised for equestrian purposes or alternative uses with the correct permissions.

The land at The Castle Farm surrounds the farmhouse and comprises productive Grade 2 and 3 attractive and gently rolling organic grassland extending to approximately 89 acres. The land has been very well managed by the current owner who has impressively enhanced the grassland to the diverse and species rich mixed grassland seen at the farm today. The land is currently grazed during the summer months on a short term grazing licence and has huge potential in relation environmental and natural capital with opportunities to further enhance the landscape by including the land in stewardship incentives and funding opportunities. Ponds and small watercourses criss cross the farm and it is understood the land is home to one of the largest areas of wild daffodils in Herefordshire. The land is bordered by mature hedgerows and woodland with various access points to the land. The main access is taken from the farm drive and adjacent to the farmhouse. All pasture fields are connected to the mains water supply with troughs located throughout.

Totalling approximately 22 acres the woodland comprises attractive broadleaf and ancient wood land with notable veteran trees. The larger blocks of woodland are located to the centre and western boundary of the farm. Woodland rides intersect through parts of the woodland. To the south of the farmhouse and main drive is a Perry pear orchard totalling approximately 1.39 acres.

The Castle Farm is nestled in a
very private and attractive location
between the Herefordshire villages
of Upton Bishop and Kempley. Rosson-Wye the popular market town is
located 5 miles to the south west of
the farm and provides for all local
amenities including supermarkets,
coffee shops, schools, shops and
pubs. More extensive amenities
are available from the Cathedral
cities of Hereford, which is just
16 miles away and Gloucester, 17
miles away. Junction 3 of the M50
is located 3 miles to the south of
the farm and provides access to the
M5 and wider transport network
providing fast access to the West
Midlands, Bristol and South Wales.
Hereford, Gloucester and Ledbury
have mainline rail stations and
nearby international airports include
Birmingham, Cardiff and Bristol.