LOT 1 - WARK, CORNHILL-ON-TWEED, NORTHUMBERLAND

WARK ESTATE AND TWEED FISHINGS - LOT 1

WARK, CORNHILL-ON-TWEED, NORTHUMBERLAND

Cornhill-on-Tweed 2 miles | Kelso 8 miles | Berwick-upon-Tweed 15 miles | Edinburgh 53 miles | Newcastle upon Tyne 61 miles
(Distances taken from Google Maps)

EXCEPTIONAL AGRICULTURAL, RESIDENTIAL AND SPORTING ESTATE BEAUTIFULLY LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE TWEED VALLEY AND INCLUDING TWO PRIME SALMON BEATS ON THE RIVER TWEED.

FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY WITH VACANT POSSESSION

AS A WHOLE OR IN THREE SEPARATE LOTS

These particulars are given as a general outline and your attention is drawn to the Important Notice printed within.

SITUATION

This famous Border Estate is beautifully located in and around the historic hamlet of Wark on the banks of the River Tweed in a first class arable farming area.

The B6350 secondary road passes through Wark and connects to major arterial roads at both Kelso and Cornhill and these in turn provide direct access to Edinburgh and Newcastle, both of which have international airports. Additionally, there is a mainline railway station at Berwick (15 miles) which provides regular services to Edinburgh and Newcastle (45 minutes) and London (3¾ hours).

The village of Cornhill provides good local amenities which include the Collingwood Arms Hotel, an excellent village shop and a farm machinery dealership, whilst the busy market towns of Kelso and Berwick offer a wider choice of services. There is a good selection of local state schools for all age groups and a number of private schools in and around Edinburgh in addition to those at Longridge Towers, Berwick and St Mary’s, Melrose. The farming community is well served by numerous agricultural suppliers, grain and machinery merchants and there are livestock markets at Wooler (14 miles) and St Boswells (18 miles).

North Northumberland and the Scottish Borders is a genuinely rural area of low population and high amenity. The region is famed for its beautiful scenery and varying landscapes which range from the high tops of the Cheviot and Lammermuir hills through rolling wooded lowland countryside to the fertile farmland of the Tweed Valley and beyond to the rugged cliffs and golden sands of the east coast. The Estate is ideally placed to enjoy all of the recreational, sporting and cultural opportunities for which the area is justifiably renowned.

HISTORICAL NOTE

The history of the Estate dates back at least to the early 12th century when Henry I granted the Barony of Wark to Walter L’Espec, Lord of Helmsley. He completed the construction of Wark Castle, around which the medieval village subsequently grew, by about 1130.

Together with the castles at Ford, Etal, Duddo, Norham and Berwick, Wark was regarded by successive English monarchs as a formidable defensive fortress against ongoing Scottish invasions and Border raids.

The Barony passed into the possession of the powerful Roos family in 1191. In 1216 the castle was burnt to the ground by King John when in the possession of Robert Roos, one of the Barons who subsequently forced John to grant the Magna Carta. The castle remained at the epicentre of the Anglo-Scottish wars throughout the Middle Ages and was captured by the Scots in both 1375 and 1460 and lastly by James IV in 1513 before the Battle of Flodden. During this period the Barony passed to William Montague (later Earl of Salisbury) in 1329 and, indeed, Edward III originated the famous Order of the Garter in 1348 when the Countess of Salisbury “dropped a garter” whilst dancing with the King at a ball held in the castle hall. After the union of the Scottish and English crowns in 1603 the castle passed out of the pages of English history with its final abandonment in 1633 when all artillery were finally withdrawn.

Following the death of Viscount Grey of Glendale and Earl of Tankerville in 1701, the entire Estate was partitioned with the Earl’s only daughter, Mary, Lady Ossulston, being awarded the Tankerville Estate of which Wark formed part. The Tankerville Estate was finally broken up in 1913 although Wark itself was not sold until 1920 when purchased by Captain Samman of Willerby Manor, near Hull. It was acquired by the Lovett family in 1960 and is now being sold for only the second time in over one hundred years.

THE MANOR OR LORDSHIP OF WARK

The sale of lot 1 will include such right, title, estate and interest in the Manorship as the Trustees can convey.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The sale of Wark Estate provides a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptional agricultural and residential Estate. The Estate was purchased by the late Haddon Lovett in 1960 and includes, as its focal point, Wark House, a charming easily managed compact country house situated on the north east edge of the hamlet. The house was extensively refurbished in 2022.

The steading is centrally positioned within the Estate and includes two large modern portal framed buildings, various traditional buildings and a further range of traditional buildings which were converted in 2002 to form three double workshop units.

The Estate is relatively compact and well shaped and lies between the 15 metre and 60 metre contours. Average annual rainfall is approximately 715mm. Most of the land is classified as grade 2 with the remainder grade 3. The land adjacent to the Tweed and either side of the B6350 is comparatively flat with rich, deep, virtually stone free, permeable alluvial sandy silt loams (Alun Series). On the slightly more elevated land to the south soils mainly comprise fertile sandy clay loams with a variable clay fraction (principally Wick and Flint Series). Throughout the Estate soils are for the most part easily worked and relatively free draining.

The arable land is characterised by large, well shaped fields which are eminently suited to modern farming practices. Field drainage is good, soil indices are excellent and the land is clean with no significant weed ingress. Fences are serviceable to the permanent grass fields and throughout the Estate there are numerous well maintained hedges, mainly populated with quicks, which have been rejuvenated under Stewardship. Virtually all fields are accessible either directly off the public road or via internal hard tracks.

The arable land has been farmed on a contract farming basis with McGregor Farms since 2003 with the principal crops being winter wheat, winter oilseed , vining peas and potatoes. There is a current abstraction licence and most of the farm is irrigable with fixed pipework in strategic locations. The arable land is capable of consistently producing above average yields and has been farmed to a first class standard. The permanent grass is licensed for seasonal grazing.

WOODLAND

The woodland extends to approximately 79 acres in nine main compartments scattered throughout the Estate and much of this is now semi-mature or mature and at commercial production stage. Some of the woods have recently been thinned following Storm Arwen, but remain relatively well stocked. The principal species include Scots pine, spruce, larch, Douglas fir and mixed broadleaves, particularly sycamore, beech and oak.

The woodland, together with the numerous well stocked hedges which run through the Estate, adds considerably to the diversity of wildlife habitat and its overall amenity and sporting potential. There are no current Forestry England schemes in place.

SHOOTING

Pheasants are released each year and the woodland, together with the Stewardship cover, provides the basis for a good low ground shoot with scope for further development, particularly with the planting of cover crops. There are a string of ponds in the Parkhill plantation and a further small pond at the south end of field 7930.

The Estate supports a healthy population of roe deer which provide interesting stalking opportunities.

ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

The Estate is covered by an Environmental Stewardship Agreement (Ref: AG00307427) which runs until 29 February 2028. The Agreement currently pays annual grants of £44,804 and embraces a wide range of arable, grassland and boundary management options.

The Purchasers will be obligated to take on the Scheme and to indemnify the Vendors against any future breaches.

PLANNING

The Vendors have not proactively pursued development prospects in and around the village fringe. The Northumberland Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) has registered 1.1 acres on the west side of field 6472 (Ref: 1191) as being suitable for the development of five houses on an 11-15 year time horizon. In time there will, almost inevitably, be further small development prospects on the village edge.

LOTTING

The Estate is offered for sale either as a whole or in three separate lots:

Lot 1

Wark Estate (906 acres)

Wark House and two cottages
Range of modern and traditional farm buildings
Commercial workshop units
731.7 acres arable and temporary grass, 71.7 acres permanent grass and rough grazing and 77.8 acres woodland
Low ground shoot with potential to expand
Roe stalking
In the event that lots 1 and 2 are sold separately, each individual lot will be granted such rights as are necessary to enable it to be properly serviced and enjoyed

ADDITIONAL DWELLINGS

The Estate owns four further dwellings which are available by separate negotiation if required. These include:

Kaim House – constructed in 1985 and situated approximately 0.5 miles west of the village in a lovely private setting, this attractive house includes three reception rooms, four bedrooms and approximately 22.4 acres.

Kaim Lodge – this fully modernised three/four bedroomed detached house is situated approximately 150 metres to the south east of Kaim House.

Nos 1 and 2 Blue Row Cottages – A pair of semi-detached, single storeyed, three bedroomed, traditionally constructed cottages occupying an elevated position close to the centre of the village. The area of land included to the north may be suitable for residential development – subject to all requisite consents.

Further particulars are available on request.

LOT 1: WARK ESTATE

WARK HOUSE

Wark House is a fine, detached, two storey, south facing traditional house located on the north east fringe of the hamlet. Set back from the public road, the house sits in its own grounds and commands pleasant open views to the north and east. The house was comprehensively improved and modernised in 2022 and provides comfortable, practical, easily managed family accommodation. It is let as self catering accommodation, partially in combination with the fishing.

The house is built mainly out of stone, part brick (all externally rendered and painted white) under a Welsh slate roof.. The central flat roof has recently been renewed and the house has double glazing and oil fired central heating throughout.

The accommodation, as shown on the accompanying layout plans, includes:

Ground Floor

Dual aspect “L” shaped reception hall with separate side entrance vestibule, elegant return staircase to first floor, open plan fully fitted bar area; cloaks containing WC; generously proportioned drawing room with large bay window to the front, fireplace with ornate timber surround and overmantle housing wood burning stove; dining room including fireplace with arched shelved display alcoves either side; large kitchen/breakfast room containing new modern cabinetry together with Rangemaster electric double oven and grill with calor gas hob; rear entrance vestibule; boot/boiler room; spacious fitted utility room; separate WC.

First Floor

Feature galleried landing with connecting passage off to north wing; six double bedrooms all ensuite.

OUTBUILDINGS

A short distance to the west there is:

A games room containing a wood burning stove and built out of block (externally rendered and painted white) under Welsh slate.
Small stone and brick built slate roofed range containing various kennels and stores.
Additionally, there is a diesel fuelled back-up generator.
GARDENS

There is a large well tended garden laid principally to lawns with ornamental trees, shrubs and floral borders and with stone flagged patio areas to the south and west.

A driveway from the public road culminates in gravelled car parking areas to the sides and rear.

STEWARD’S COTTAGE

The cottage is situated to the south of Wark House adjacent to the public road. It is built out of stone and slate with a later flat roofed cavity extension and has full double glazing and full oil fired central heating.

The accommodation includes:

Semi glazed front entrance porch; inner connecting passage; shower room containing three piece suite; sitting room; dining room; well appointed kitchen; fully fitted utility room; two bedrooms.

There is a range of mainly stone and slate built outbuildings attached to the north elevation which include a garage and various stores. There is a well maintained lawned garden to the front and a small enclosed vegetable garden to the rear.

SHEPHERD’S COTTAGE

This detached, south facing, one and a half storey cottage occupies a stunning stand alone position approximately half a mile south of the village adjacent to a minor public road. The cottage is built out of stone (externally rendered and dry dashed) under slate and is substantially double glazed with full oil fired central heating.

It commands panoramic views, especially to the south. The accommodation includes:

Ground Floor

Front entrance hall; sitting room with tiled fireplace; living room with open fire; kitchen; shower room containing three piece suite.

Additionally, there is a small integral utility room – external access only.

First Floor

The first floor accommodation is coombed and includes two double bedrooms both with dormer windows to the south.

There are small gardens to the front and rear and various outbuildings including a garage and carport. The two timber built summer houses are owned by the tenant.

FARM BUILDINGS

The farm steading occupies a good level site with direct access off the public road. The surrounds are laid to part concrete, part hardcore and well maintained grass and the steading is virtually fully enclosed by the buildings themselves and by security fencing.

The buildings include:

Ten bay steel portal framed general purpose shed/grain store (61.2m x 30.5m) with part block, part pre-cast concrete panel walls, internal steel panel grain thrust walling, mainly timber side cladding all under a corrugated roof.
Nine bay steel portal framed general purpose shed (55.2m x 27.0m) with concrete block walls, timber side cladding incorporating louvred vents to both gables all under box profile sheet. The two most southerly bays have been converted into a workshop/store for use by the self employed part time gamekeeper and Estate staff.
Seven bay steel framed straw barn (32.2m x 9.2m) with dwarf block walls, corrugated iron side and roof cladding, earth floor.
50 tonne rated steel weighbridge with small steel container office adjoining.
Traditional “L” shaped stone and slate built range (43.3m x 6.4m and 23.9m x 6.4m) including tool shed, chemical store and various stores.
Low level range built out of part stone, part brick, part block under Big Six and comprising two stores, one of which is currently used as a sheep shed (63.5m x 14.5m overall). There is a small stone and slate built store attached at the north end.
At the south end of the steading there are two static caravans which are used to accommodate seasonal boatmen.
Note:

All grain is currently dried and stored at Coastal Grains, Belford.
The two bunded liquid fertiliser tanks are owned by Frontier. The scaffolding adjacent to the private weighbridge is also third party owned. Both are excluded from the sale.
WARK WORKSHOPS

Located at the north end of the steading adjacent to the public road, the workshop complex was converted from a traditional stone and slate built range in 2002 to form three double workshop units.

The units provide a useful secondary source of income. There is a large enclosed hardcored car parking area directly to the south.

Approximate gross internal areas are as follows:

Unit GIA/M2
1/2 109.9
3/4 109.9
5/6 99.0


THE LAND

The land includes 803.4 farmable acres of which approximately 731.7 acres are in arable rotation. The land is in excellent heart and the soil types combined with the availability of irrigation provides the flexibility to grow a wide variety of consistently high yielding combinable crops together with vegetables, including potatoes, if required. The five year average dry yields for and wheat are 1.89 tonnes/acre and 4.29 tonnes/acre respectively. Vining peas and potatoes are cropped on an eight year cycle by agreement with Scottish Borders Produce Ltd and Greenvale Growing Ltd respectively.