Wheelbirks Estate, Stocksfield, NE43

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

Additional Info

NEAREST POSTCODE - NE43 7HY

WHAT3WORDS - ///metals.plans.butterfly

VIEWING - Strictly by appointment through the sole selling agents Savills . Given the potential hazards on the farm we request that you take care when viewing the property, especially around the farmyard and water courses.

TENURE - The property is offered for sale freehold. The farmhouses and land will be sold with vacant possession, but North, South and West Cottages will be sold subject existing tenancies. The property will also be sold subject to any existing leases on the Gallery, Sandy Byers and Unit 1, details of which are available upon request.

It is hoped that a purchaser will want to takeover the business as a going concern in which case TUPE provisions may apply. The Family have announced their intention to close the Parlour in September 2026.

METHOD OF SALE AND LOTTING - The Estate is offered for sale by private treaty. The vendors preference is to sell the property as a whole as a business to include the shares in The Wheelbirks Estate Company Limited, which potentially offers taxation benefits to both parties. Offers for the property itself either as a whole or in lots will be considered and interested parties are encouraged to register their interest at an early stage. The vendors would consider selling Wood Cottage to a buyer of the whole Estate by separate negotiation.

VAT - The property has been elected to VAT which means that VAT is payable on the non-residential proportion of the value when sold, unless a purchaser acquires the Company Shares. In the event that a sale of any right attached to the property becomes a chargeable supply for the purpose of VAT such tax will be payable in addition, for example this will include any VAT which may be chargeable upon fixtures, fittings, machinery, cultivations, fertilisers, feed stock, sprays and café contents.

RIGHTS OF WAY, EASEMENTS AND WAYLEAVES - The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all existing wayleaves, easements and rights of way, public and private whether specifically mentioned or not.

A right of Way will be reserved to access Wood Cottage. There are no public rights of way shown over the property on the definitive public rights of way plan. There is however a bridleway open to all traffic (BOAT) which follows the north eastern boundary of the farm. There are two pipelines which cross parts of the farm including the Kielder water pipeline and an Ethylene pipeline. Overhead powerlines also cross the northern section of the farm.

FIXTURES AND FITTINGS - All items usually regarded as tenants’ fixtures and fittings, to include curtains, carpets and light fittings, garden ornaments and equipment are specifically reserved from the sale, as are all of the fixtures, fittings, furnishings and kitchen equipment and stock in the parlour ,shop and café. Garden furniture, ornaments and statuary are excluded from the sale as is any felled timber which is stacked ready for removal. The parlour, bulk tanks, Ice Cream making equipment and associated machinery and equipment are excluded from the sale. The 14t Feed Hopper is excluded.

HEALTH AND SAFETY - Given the potential hazards of a farm we would ask you to be as vigilant as possible when inspecting the property for your own personal safety, in particular around buildings, water courses and the gardens. It is likely that Asbestos roof sheeting remains on some of the farm buildings.