Dewlish

A productive arable chalk downland farm in the heart of Dorset
389.72 acres (157.72 hectares)

For Sale by Private Treaty as a whole or in lots

The property is the largest farm to come to the market in Dorset for two years. The Boyden Brothers purchased the farm in 1965 and constructed a dairy unit in the centre of the farm in 1966 which operated successfully for 10 years. In 1978 the silage barns were converted to two grain stores and a new grain dryer and grain bins erected. Farmed as an arable unit in-hand for over 30 years, the land has been farmed on a contract farming basis since 2012. The property now offers the opportunity to own a substantial block of majestic Dorset countryside with arable, dairy, conservation and amenity credentials plus potential for a dwelling subject to planning consent.

Lot 1 - 259.58 acres (105.05 hectares)
The main portion of the farm comprises productive level and rolling arable land arranged in 6 fields enjoying road frontage along the eastern boundary. The ALC Grade 3 soil is loam with some flints over upper chalk. Currently sown to winter wheat and oil seed rape, crops have yielded consistently well and the land is equally suited to grass and outwintering livestock. In the centre is an attractive belt of broadleaf trees and the farm is surrounded by mature hedgerows harbouring wildlife. Fields are well served by internal tracks together with a right of access over the track running the length of the northern boundary. A bridleway runs along the southern boundary and there are no other public rights of way over the land.

Lot 2 - Farm Buildings in 10.23 acres (4.14 hectares)
A significant sized range of farm buildings constructed mainly in 1966 as a dairy complex and converted to arable use in 1978. The barns, extending in total to 10,140 sqft (942 sqm), provide a range of potential uses from arable, dairy, livestock, commercial and potentially commercial or residential subject to consent. The buildings comprise:
• Two Grain Stores
6-bay steel portal frame barns with external sleeper and internal steel box profile walls, asbestos roof and cladding, roller shutter doors, concrete floor with timber drying slats and central timber partition and walkway.
• Grain Dryer Barn
Agriweld steel frame barn with steel box profile clad elevations housing 3 internal grain bins, grain dryer and associated sieve and conveyors, reception pit and loading elevator.
• Former Parlour
Concrete block elevations under asbestos roof former milking parlour, dairy and bull pens.
• Timber cubicle building in dilapidated condition
• Open chalk bunded silage clamp
The buildings are served by concrete yards and a former slurry pit now overgrown with vegetation and surrounded by a mix of mature ash, sycamore and maple trees to form a notable conservation and wildlife area. Completing the lot is 6.69 acres of farmland with road frontage offering potential to make a separate road entrance.

Lot 3 - 36.78 acres (14.88 hectares)
A picturesque valley field of arable land flanking the Cheselbourne chalk stream which is a tributary of the River Piddle. The soil is chalk with a band of valley gravel through the centre. This band has been left uncultivated to grow a large margin of natural grasses supporting an array of wildflowers and insects with a belt of young trees planted at the eastern end. The land enjoys road frontage along the western and eastern boundaries and road access is over a right of access along a hard track.

Lot 4 - 83.13 acres (33.65 hectares)
A productive block of arable and pasture land known as Dennetts Bottom. The level and gently sloping Grade 3 chalk land enjoys road access at two points and a central track which is a bridleway. At both ends are two small areas of mixed broadleaf woodland adding to the amenity appeal.

The farm lies in a beautifully unspoilt part of rural Mid Dorset amongst the chalk hills of the Dorset Downs in the Parish of Dewlish. Lying between 70m and 130m above sea level, the land enjoys peaceful countryside views. The country roads adjoining the land carry little traffic and there is a good network of bridleways adjoining the land.
The land lies 1 mile from Dewlish village centre with its church and The Oak Freehouse and 1 mile from Cheselbourne village with a primary school and The Rivers Arms. 3 miles south is the small town of Puddletown. The farm is situated between the County Town of Dorchester and the Georgian former market town of Blandford, both offering a full range of services, and 15 miles from the Dorset Jurassic Coast.



Marketed by: Symonds & Sampson, Sturminster Newton