Description
A ring fenced grassland farm extending to 120.34 acres in a private setting with a substantial farmhouse, annexe,
range of farm buildings and bungalow with land available as a whole or in two lots.
Introduction - Great Thornham Farm is a well equipped pasture farm in a ring fence with outstanding views towards Calstone Hill and Great Cheverell Hill. The current owners have historically managed a variety of livestock on the farm including beef, sheep and deer over the years. They have done this through good management of the pasture with a variety of paddocks being suitable for hay and silage as well as extensive water meadows adjacent to the Semington brook for long summer grazing. There are a range of farm buildings, some being modern steel portal frame and some more traditional farm buildings including stabling for horses.
Situation - Great Thornham Farm lies in a highly attractive location with excellent transport links and access to local services. The farm is situated at the southern end of the village of Seend and benefits from excellent views towards the Westbury escarpment. Nearby towns include Devizes, approximately 5.5 miles to the east as well as other towns such as Trowbridge, Melksham and Chippenham which are all within short drives of the property. Further afield the city of Bath and town of Swindon provide a wider range of shopping facilities, amenities and leisure activities. The local area is well known for its local schools including Dauntsey's and St Marys of Calne.
Farmhouse - Great Thornham Farmhouse is an attractive detached traditional stone built 5 bedroom farmhouse, extending to 2800 sq ft (261sqm), laid out over three floors. The house is approached via a long private drive and sat centrally within the ring-fenced farmland with outstanding views to the rear. The property internally has lots of character and charm including exposed wooden beams, aga in the kitchen and flagstone floors throughout the downstairs.
Internally the ground floor accommodation includes fitted kitchen with aga, open plan with breakfast room attached, ground floor utility, sitting room, study, dining room and outside store. Upstairs on the first floor there are three good size double bedrooms, and a large family bathroom. On the second floor is a further pair of double bedrooms with exposed timber rafters.
Annexe - Next door there is a well-designed three-bedroom annexe which has previously been let out. We understand planning consent has only been granted for one bedroom. There is potential for further residential or commercial conversions of the farm buildings. The farm benefits from a long and attractive private driveway from the Trowbridge Road and is very secluded, with no other properties overlooking it. There is also a one bedroom shepherds hut in an adjacent field providing additional accommodation.
Equestrian - To the rear of the farmhouse within the farm buildings, one building has now been converted and contains 6 well-built American barn style stables, there are three timber stables next to the house and there is potential to create further stabling or equestrian facilities within other farm buildings on the holding.
The Farm Buildings - Great Thornham Farm benefits from a range of modern and traditional farm buildings extending to 1489.7 sq. metres
(16,036 sq. ft) which are ready to move cattle into or well suited to sheep or equestrian uses. Most are steel portal frame construction and benefit from extensive concrete yard areas. The farm is outside the AONB so there is good potential for further conversion to residential or commercial uses under Class R or Class Q permitted development.
The Land - Great Thornham Farm extends to 120.34 acres (48.70 ha), of which 117 acres is pasture, in a ring fence. The land adjacent to the farm track and surrounding the farm house is predominantly grade 3 with the water meadows adjacent to Semington Brook being grade 4. The soil type is identified as slowly permeable seasonally wet loamey and clayey soils well suited to grass production for dairy or beef. Historically, the land has been grazed by sheep, cattle and deer and this year cuts of hay and silage have been taken.
Services - Mains water and electricity
Private drainage, shared between the farmhouse and annexe,
separate for the Lodge
Oil fire central heating in the farmhouse
Gas heating in the lodge
Electric heating in the annexe
Lot 2 - Great Thornham Lodge and the surrounding land are an exciting opportunity for the new owners to create their own small holding. The property will also include 2 substantial paddocks to the rear of the property totalling 10.44 acres (4.22 hectares), which benefit from mature hedgerow boundaries and are currently permanent pasture. The land will be well suited to livestock, equestrian and market garden uses.
A planning application has been submitted for a new agricultural building to the rear of Great Thornham Lodge to support the small holding which is proposed to be a 3 bay steel portal frame building being approximately 60 x 20ft. This could be used for hay, feed and machinery storage. The house is a three bedroom detached bungalow extending to approximately 126.3 sq. meters (1360 sq ft) to include open plan kitchen/dining room, sitting room, two good sized double bedrooms and third single bedroom or study as well as a family bathroom, utility and good sized storage/family room all laid out over the ground floor. Great Thornham Lodge will provide an excellent and rarely available equestrian or small holder opportunity with a three - bedroom bungalow and paddocks close by. The property will also enjoy the benefit of the long private driveway over which a right of way for all purposes will be granted. Further land could be made available by negotiation. Lot 2 will be available freehold with vacant possession at a guide price of £750,000. The lodge was originally subject to an Agricultural occupancy condition but a certificate of lawful use has been granted to allow occupation by any occupier.
Designations - The house, bungalow and buildings are not listed. The agricultural tie on the bungalow has A certificate of lawful use in place to allow occupation by any occupier. The farm lies within a
nitrate vulnerable zone.
Tenure And Possession - Freehold with vacant possession on completion
Rights Of Way - A public footpath enters the property down the farm driveway as far as the farm buildings before turning 180 degrees and exiting the property again at the boundary with the A361
which is not used regularly.
Sporting - All rights are held in hand and are included with the sale.
Viewings - Strictly by prior appointment with sole agents Symonds and Sampson LLP. Further information, if required, is available from Chris Powell or Jack Curnick-James on 01380 710535
