Earsdon Hill Farm, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3ES

SITUATION
Earsdon Hill Farm enjoys a rural location with easy access to the A1, allowing a journey into central Newcastle in under half an hour.
The farm is also a short drive from the nationally renowned Northumberland coastline with its extensive beaches and castles. Earsdon Hill Farm enjoys an elevated position with far reaching panoramic views as far as the Cheviot Hills to the north, the Simonside Hills and the coast.
Combined with the area's natural beauty is the inherent productivity and financial output of the farmland.

DESCRIPTION
Earsdon Hill Farm isn't a typical Northumbrian holding, nor is it traditionally farmed. The vendors no longer follow a standard arable rotation nor run a flock of ewes or herd of suckler cows. Instead they have embraced the Government's Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship Schemes (CSS) turning all of the farmland over to traditional wildflower hay meadows.
Focus has always been on profitability combined with lifestyle through low input and wildlife friendly regenerative farming practices. The farm is also proud to have recently achieved organic status following a two-year period of conversion.
In 2021 the Vendors made a significant investment creating "Hillside Huts & Cabins" - now an established and profitable glamping business.
The award-winning holiday destination comprises four Shepherds Huts and Cabins providing a high-end eco-staycation experience contributing to a substantial diversified income stream to supplement the farm's income.
The business is run from the farm's stylish four-bedroom farmhouse with private drive, generous gardens and grounds.

HISTORY
The vendors' family have farmed Earsdon Hill since 1956. For over 40 years, the land was managed through a traditional arable rotation of wheat, barley, oilseed and beans. In recent years, however, recognising the need for a more regenerative and sustainable approach, the vendors made the decision to convert to organic status. This marked a transition from a high-input, high-cost system to a low-input, wildlife-friendly farming model focused on enhancing biodiversity and environmental stewardship.

The 104 acres (or thereabouts) of organic, flower-rich grassland established in recent years has enabled the land to rest and recover while remaining economically productive.
Built in 1999 the traditionally built farmhouse laid the foundation for what has since grown into a well-established, diversified rural enterprise.
In 2021, the vendors created Hillside Huts & Cabins - an award-winning eco-staycation experience created to both supplement the farm's income and celebrate their interest in wildlife, the environment and their love of the Northumbrian landscape.
The development is situated in an existing half-acre woodland with each of the four shepherd's huts enjoying far-reaching views over the surrounding countryside towards the coast.


Lot 1 - Guide Price - Offers Over £850,000
Farmhouse, Gardens and Grass Field, in all extending to 2.87 hectares (7.09 acres) or thereabouts. The substantial stone-built dwelling with four bedrooms features a wonderful, homely layout and is immaculately decorated throughout. It benefits from oil-fired central heating and wooden double-glazed windows. EPC: Band D.
Surrounded by semi-mature woodland and generous established gardens, the property offers a high degree of privacy. It includes a stone outbuilding with carport, gravel driveway and a grass paddock of approximately 5.5 acres, bordered by a mature hedge - ideal for those with equestrian interests.

Lot 2 - Guide Price - Offers Over £525,000
"Hillside Huts & Cabins" in all extending to 1.66 hectares (4.1 acres) or thereabouts
The development sits within a small woodland copse on the farm and comprises a large, well-equipped ancillary building and four shepherd's huts, each offering panoramic views across the stunning Northumberland countryside towards the coast.
Each hut has been individually designed with luxuriously rustic interiors, king-size beds, power showers, wood-burning stoves, LPG central heating and private wood-fired hot tubs.
In addition to being surrounded by wildflower meadows, the huts' green credentials are enhanced by a 10 kW wind turbine, which not only supplies renewable energy to the farm but also generates an annual income of approximately £10k per annum.
Hillside Huts have received widespread recognition, featuring on BBC's Robson Green's Weekend Escapes and Escape to the Country. They have also been ranked among the Top 10 UK glamping destinations by The Guardian and Top 25 by The Times, as well as winning Gold and Silver at the North East Tourism Awards.
The vendors choose to open for eight months of the year and from that have an annual turnover of approximately £150k.
Please take a look at the popular website for more information:


Lot 3 - Guide Price - Offers Over £950,000
Farmland; 42.64 Hectares (105.35 Acres)
All fields are uniform in shape and large enough for modern agriculture. The Grade 3 land rises from 80 meters above sea level adjoining the A1 to just over 100 meters above sea level at the northern extent of field parcel 13.
The land at Earsdon Hill was previously farmed in a typical arable rotation of wheat, barley and oilseed until 2017, when it was entirely sown to grass. All fields are now organic, flower-rich meadows, satisfying the requirements of the farm's Countryside Stewardship (CS) agreement - see details below.
A hay cut is taken once a year in early August, allowing ground nesting birds such as skylarks, partridge and curlew to raise their chicks. The farm is well-fenced and sheep are grazed during the winter, adding nutrients and organic matter back into the land.
With support from the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and Wilder Northumberland, the vendors have planted some 25,000 trees and hedgerows, completed organic conversion under the Soil Association and generate an annual stewardship/woodland income of approximately £50k through the following schemes:

Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CS)
Term: 1st January 2023 to 31st December 2027 - 40.98ha of AB8 (Flower Rich Margins & Plots) & 1.58ha of AB9 (Wild Bird Seed).

English Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO)
2.9ha newly planted woods all carbon accredited through the Woodland Carbon Code. Estimated total claimable carbon sequestration 1158 (tCO2e) at 100 years.

Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI)
Term: 1st January 2024 to 31st December 2026 - Covering soils and hedgerows.


Timber, Sporting & Mineral Rights
All standing and fallen timber will be included within the sale
and the sporting rights are in hand. Mineral rights not included.

Plans, Areas and Schedules
These are based on the areas provided by the Rural Land
Registry and Ordnance Survey and are for reference only.
Although they have been carefully checked, the purchaser shall
be deemed to have satisfied themselves as to the description of
the property and any errors shall not annul the sale nor entitle
either party to compensation in respect thereof.

Wayleaves, Easements and Rights of Way
The Property is sold subject to and with the benefits of all rights
of way whether public or private, water, light, drain, sewage,
support and easements and other restrictive covenants and
existing and proposed wayleaves for masts, pylons, cables,
drains, water, gas and other pipes, whether mentioned in these
particulars or not.
Note: Lots 1-3 will all enjoy access over the route marked brown
on the plan alongside the dwellings in the former farmstead at
Earsdon Hill. Subject to all parties making a contribution for
maintenance and repair. Earsdon Hill residents also have rights
over the Property for new connection of drains and services.

Restrictive Covenant
The land is subject to overage provisions in favour of The Church
Commissioners for 70 years from 15th September 2006 in relation
to any change of use or development within Classes A1, A3, A4,
A5, C1 or D2 of The Town and Country Planning (Use Classes)
Order 1987 or for use as a petrol station or shop selling and/or
displaying motor vehicles. Until 2036, The Church
Commissioners are entitled to a 30% share of any uplift in value
arising from any such change of use or development. From 2036
until 2076, this share will reduce to 15%.

Method of Sale
The land is initially being offered for sale by private treaty.

Services
Lot 1 (The Farmhouse) is connected to mains water and mains
electricity. Heating is provided by an oil-fired boiler and
drainage is via a private septic tank.
Lot 2 (Hillside Huts & Cabins) benefits from mains water and
electricity supplies, an LPG Calor gas tank and private waste
package treatment plant.
Note; a new mains electricity and mains water supply are
required to the Property and these will be arranged and the cost
met by the vendor prior to completion. Please ask the selling
agent for more information.

General Binding Regulations (GBR) 2020
It is understood the outflow from the farmhouse (Lot 1) septic
tank discharges to a soakaway. However the Vendor
nevertheless does not give any undertaking that the property
fully satisfies the GBR 2020 and any expressions of interest or
offers made should take this into consideration.

Viewings
Strictly by prior appointment with the selling agents;
Richard Brown & Partners
The Office
South Bellshill
Belford
NE70 7HP
Tel:

Anti Money Laundering Regulations (AML)
Please note that under the 2017 AML regulations Richard Brown
& Partners is legally required to conduct money laundering
checks against purchasers.