A country estate is looking for new tenants to work the land on a farm that covers more than 900 acres of diverse land.

The Barningham Estate, which straddles the border of County Durham and North Yorkshire, just off the A66 towards Barnard Castle is offering the opportunity of a lifetime to anybody wanting to start farming.

Current owner Sir Edward Milbank, whose family have owned the Barningham Estate since 1690, is exploring a new collaborative way of prioritising environmental management on the estate with the new tenant on Hawsteads Farm playing a leading role in delivering this vision.

Barningham has a long history of conservation, beginning with Sir Edward's father, Sir Anthony Milbank, who was a co-founder of the Moorland Association and a member of the RSPB's council.

Read more: Our long journey to meet Hannah Hauxwell in the back of beyond

Sir Edward has previously described the 7,000 acres of Barningham as "a thriving mixed rural estate," and takes pride in the fact that it's "home to around 130 species of birds including rarities such as ring ousel, black grouse, curlew and 5 species of owl."

Since taking over the estate six years ago, Sir Edward has planted more than 100 acres of mixed woodland on the estate, and plans to plant more.

The Northern Echo:

Lucinda Riddell, who is director of the estate agent currently accepting tender offers for the farm on behalf of the estate, said: "Hawsteads Farm provides an exciting opportunity to live and work on the Barningham Estate and is the perfect opportunity for someone wanting to enter into farming or expand their current business.

"The farm The Estate has a long history of environmentally positive land management, which has resulted in exceptional biodiversity and a rich tapestry of valuable habitats – from heather moorland to lowland fen and SSSI ancient woodland. 

"Sir Edward is looking for a farm tenant or share / contract farmer to work alongside him to continue this legacy, through sensitive habitat management and restoration, nature friendly farming and food production.”

Hawsteads Farm includes a four bedroom farmhouse and is being let by informal tender, meaning that Sir Edward will accept the offer that's the best match for his vision for the estate, as opposed to being legally bound to take the highest sum of money offered.

The farmland includes a diverse upland livestock farm featuring a good range of modern and traditional buildings with land extending to approximately 384 hectares (948.86 acres).

READ NEXT:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

The farm is available to let either as a whole on a Farm Business Tenancy or Share/Contract Farming Agreement. According to estate agent, GSC Grays - depending on the applicant - a Share Farming Agreement may be preferable to fulfil the estate’s vision for the farm.

Tenders are being acepted until the deadline of 12 noon on Friday 20th January 2023.