Hawkchurch, Axminster, Devon

An excellent residential/livestock farm well situated in a lovely rural location close to Hawkchurch.
Light and spacious three/four-bedroom bungalow with glorious views, substantial range of farm buildings, stables and ring fenced by 34.11 acres (13.80 ha) of pasture and woodland.

Situation - Fortfield Farm enjoys a secluded rural location set between the village of Hawkchurch and hamlet of Holditch, about 3 miles to the north of Axminster close to where the borders of Devon, Somerset and Dorset meet. Hawkchurch is a popular village with a thriving community centred around a village hall, ancient church, primary school and The Old Inn public house. The farmstead’s location has no immediate neighbours and benefits from quick and easy access to Axminster, Chard and the A303/M5. Axminster has a mainline railway station, on the Waterloo line (which adjoins the western boundary of the farm). The popular coastal resort of Lyme Regis is 6 miles to the south, offering an excellent range of restaurants together with swimming and fishing on the Jurassic Coast.

The Property - A rare opportunity to acquire an attractive small residential/stock farm. Fortfield Farm comes to the open market for the first time since 1969. The Vendor and his late wife were well known in the horse breeding and farming world,having bred a number of successful racehorses. The property comprises an attractive country bungalow offering spacious and light filled rooms, well suited to entertaining. The open plan farmhouse style kitchen/diner and generous sitting room with panoramic bay window being particular features. There are currently three bedrooms, a farm office and garden room, which could be used as extra bedrooms if required. There is further scope to extend and create a chalet bungalow by converting the substantial loft (STPP).
Please see floorplan for accommodation and measurements.

Outside - A gated driveway opens to a large parking area giving access to the double garage with separate workshop/store (12.3 x 6 m). The bungalow sits in attractive level gardens which surround the property, they have been carefully laid out and are a major feature of the property. To the north of the bungalow is a kitchen garden and small orchard with field gateway to the level rear paddock.

Farm Buildings & Stables - Close to the bungalow with separate access via double gates from the land are: -
Timber Stableblock (15.3 x 5.3m) providing four loose boxes.
General Purpose Building (14.8 x 7.2m) a very useful secure building of steel framed construction with block walls, used by the vendors as a workshop/fodder/feed store. Solar panels are fitted to the roof, providing much of the farms electricity.
A short distance west of the main farmstead (in the lower field) are a substantial range of modern cattle buildings set around concrete yards with access over a hardcored track from Damas Lawn Bridge, they comprise: -
Steel framed Cattle Building (27.5 9.2m)
Steel framed Cattle Building (30.6 x 13.3m)
Fodder Barn with lean to’s (23.5 x 8.8m overall)
Cattle handling area

The Land - The land lies in a ring fence with the majority being level or gently sloping, the Blackwater River bisects part of the pasture and then forms the northern boundary. The railway line adjoins to the west. We understand the nameFortfield has historic context, with the land forming a natural level plateau and there are two old WWII machine gun pillboxes in the paddock close to the farmstead. These were understood to have been built to guard the railway line and Broom Bridge. The land is fenced for cattle and
offered in good heart. The southern boundary has about 11.71 acres of native woodland on a steep embankment, some of which is a SSSI. The farm has long road frontageand access at various points, it also owns a section of track north of Wadbrook Farm providing access to two cottages.

Services - Main water supply. Private drainage. Main electricity. Oil fired central heating from Rayburn stove. Broadband: Standard Broadband available. Mobile Network Coverage: There is mobile coverage in the area, please refer to Ofcom’s website for more details.

Material Information - 1. The bungalow was built in 1969. East Devon District Council have confirmed, following a formal planning enquiry dated 24th July 2025 that “based on a search of past planning information for the property in our records and other information available to us, we do not believe that Fortfield Farm is currently, or has recently been, subject to an Agricultural Occupancy Condition”.
2. We have been unable to confirm if the current private drainage arrangements comply with the General Binding rules for small sewage discharge.
3. Fortfield Farm is situated in Flood Zone 1 an area with a very low probability of flooding from surface water or a river.
4. No public rights of way affect the property.

Tenure - Freehold with vacant possession upon completion.

Sporting - All rights are owned and included in the sale. Hunting with the Cotley Harriers. Racing at Taunton, Exeter or Wincanton. Equestrian centres at Chard or Pontispool. Golf at Windwhistle. Sailing on the coast at Lyme Regis or West Bay.

Education - Primary schooling at Hawkchurch. Good state schools at Axminster, Lyme Regis or Colyton Grammar School. Independent schools locally include Chard School, Perrott Hill or Taunton School.

Local Authority - East Devon District Council. Tel: . Council Tax Band: F