Fisher German is delighted to be marketing Daniel Hayes Farm in Derbyshire, a rare opportunity to purchase a farm dating back to the Saxons which has had just four owners in its history. The farm, near Ashby de la Zouch, boasts a five bedroom farmhouse, a range of traditional outbuildings, a number of more modern farm buildings and around 280 acres of woodland, grazing and arable land and is on the market with a guide price of £3,100,000. It is being jointly marketed by Fisher German and Parry Land & Property.
Danie Hayes Farm has been transformed into an ecological and conversation haven by its owner in a 20-year “labour of love”. It has undergone major environmental conservation works in recent years, including the planting of more than 250,000 trees and the preserving and rebuilding of its Medieval features, in a bid to restore its past. It has also welcomed hundreds of people through its not-for-profit rural training programme, not only providing an opportunity for the local community to learn rural skills but also providing full-time paid apprenticeships.
Owner Andrew Moseley purchased the farm around 20 years ago at a time when it was being run as a commercial, arable and dairy farm. Despite having no farming background, it was his love of the countryside and passion for conservation which inspired his plan to restore the site’s past and create a conservation, farming and forestry estate.
This major project has also seen the replanting of more than five miles of hedgerows, the restoration of traditional hay meadows and the rebuilding of seven lost ponds as well as a major sympathetic restoration of the historic house and buildings, parts of which date back to the 1500s. Much of the site’s history and archaeology has also been restored or preserved with the support of a local history group, including the rebuilding of a Medieval trout pond and a historic water pumping system from the 1900s. Archaeological finds by the group including Elizabeth I silver coins and stone age tools which are now on display in national museums. The conservation project has seen wildlife return to the site, which is now home to some of the rarest species in the county.
Perhaps one of Andrew’s proudest achievements, the farm also launched a training programme lasting eight years which taught traditional rural skills including stone walling and traditional timber framing. It not only saw members of the community and those from further afield take part in weekend courses, but also provide full-time apprenticeships to help people gain skills and get a foot on the career ladder, many of which are now craftspeople helping to preserve Britain’s rural heritage.
Andrew is now selling the farm due to health reasons and hopes to find a new owner who will continue to cherish it. Ha said: “I’ve always loved being in the countryside ever since I was a young boy and have always had a passion for looking at ways we can look after and improve it. I worked on farms as a boy but had no family connection to farming so in my early career I turned to marine insurance, but it really didn’t suit me so I re-trained and began working for and later running a number of conservation organisations. After almost 20 years I decided it was time to put all this experience to some practical use, I wanted to be the one doing the tree planting, getting my hands and feet muddy, which is when I bought Daniel Hayes. I had a vision right from the beginning. It was a beautiful site, but time and neglect had taken their toll - it needed someone to take it on and care for it.
I just happened to be driving past when the sale sign went up. The right site and the right man with the right skills all at the right time. So began the restoration and 20 happy years of my life. I’ve absolutely loved my time on the farm and I’m immensely proud of it. We have some of the best woodland and the rarest wildlife in the county. Our muchloved training programme not only gave people employability skills, but also provided local people with the skills to look after our beautiful countryside. The decision to look for owner number five has not been an easy one, Daniel Hayes is a special place and I know someone will love and cherish it as much as myself.”
Associate Director at Fisher German, Richard Gadd, said: “This really is quite a unique property that has been meticulously managed and improved by the current owner. There has also been an incredible amount of history and conservation work carried out. The property is likely to appeal to a number of buyers including those looking for a unique country estate with significant conservation and amenity value or those looking to create a private equestrian holding, with conversion potential in the outbuildings. It will also likely attract individuals seeking a private ringfenced country residence in a most accessible location.”
Will Parry, of Parry Land & Property, added: “Daniel Hayes Farm comes to the market at a time when UK farming practices and future land management methods are under the spotlight. The green agenda, which covers carbon emissions, renewable energy and tree planting is being debated at many levels. Here, a new owner can step into a beautiful home, in a sought-after area and enjoy all of Andrew’s hard work, knowing that the footprint for a sustainable, environmentally friendly future has already been started. It is a special place.”
For full details about the property, please click here
