Grass Crops on Land at Cote Syke Farm, Hampsthwaite

The land lies to the west and south-west of the village of Hampsthwaite, approximately 4 miles from Harrogate. The land is less than a mile from the A59 trunk road, each lot having good road frontage.

Grazing and mowing land available to let on licence arrangements with scope for continuing yearly arrangements. The land comprises a mix of productive meadow land and good pasture land. Grass crop available to take on licence arrangements from April 2025.

The land extends in total to approximately 135.76 acres (51.94 ha) and comprises productive grassland, much capable of being mown. The land is offered to let on annual grazing and mowing licenses in 6 separate lots. 

LOT 1 – 30.92ac

Three parcels of productive meadow land lying to the west of Hampsthwaite village and with access off Graystone Plain Lane close to the village allotments. Mains water available.

LOT 2 – 17.63ac

A ring-fenced block of productive grassland, suited for grazing or mowing. Well walled and with access off Swincliffe Lane. Mains water available.

LOT 3 – 36.05ac

Productive grassland capable of mowing or grazing and with both mains and stream fed water supplies. Access is gained off Swincliffe Lane to the north.

LOT 4 – 3.92ac

A single grass field adjoining Graystone Plain Lane, suited for mowing or grazing. Mains water available.

LOT 5 – 4.59ac

A useful parcel of grazing land with access off Jack Lane to the north. Stream fed water available.

LOT 6 – 42.65ac

Two parcels of productive grassland with access off both A59 Skipton Road and Penny Pot Lane. Suited to mowing or grazing and with good stockproof fences. Mains water available.

Most of the land is entered into a Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier Scheme, as such the successful bidder will be required to comply with the options under the scheme.  

Full details of each stewardship option are available from the agents or can be viewed online. A summary of the options is below:

SW9 – Stock removed for a minimum of 5 ½ months each year (intended period 30th October-15th April).

SW2 – 6m buffer adjoining stream, not cutting, fertiliser or spraying of this area

GS2 – No fertiliser. Max 12t/ha FYM. No mechanical operations before 30th June. No supplementary feeding. Graze with a range of sward heights.

UP2 – Leave breeding waders undisturbed, graze to provide a diverse sward height. No supplementary feeding.

SP6 – Graze with cattle through the growing season.

All lots have direct access from the public highway. No access will be allowed across other land. Access points are indicated by black arrows on the plans.

Mains water supplies are connected to most lots. Where required, the Licensee will reimburse the Licensor for the cost of water used. 

Lots 1, 2, 3 & 4

Grazing and mowing licences will allow access from 15th April 2025 until 30th October 2025.

Lots 5 & 6

Grazing and mowing licences will allow access from 15th April 2025 until 14th April 2026.

The land will be let on licence arrangements granting the successful bidder the right to enter onto the land to take the grass crop by mowing or grazing. The licence fee will be payable in full in advance of entry to the land.

The Licensee will remain the keeper of all livestock and be responsible for compliance with appropriate animal welfare and movement regulations and ensuring stock do not stray from the land.

The Licensor makes no warrantee on the condition and suitability of the land, fences or boundaries. The Licensee will be required to ensure they are adequate to contain livestock. The Licensee will be responsible for the repair of any fences, walls, gates or fixed equipment which are damaged during the term.

The Licensee is to apply fertiliser and manures at their own cost with appropriate quantities applied to replace any grass crop removed from the land.

The land is offered on an initial one-year arrangement in line with the above terms. The landowner would like to develop an ongoing relationship with the successful bidders in the hope of continuing the arrangements annually. 

The land is offered to let by informal tender. All offers should be returned to Hardcastle Rural Surveyors, The Manse, Main Street, Kirkby Malzeard, HG4 3RS or via email to info@hardcastlerural.co.uk by 12 noon on Friday 28th February 2025.

Paper tenders must be returned in a sealed envelope clearly marked ‘Tender – Grazing Land at Hampsthwaite’ and the subject reference for emailed tenders must also be ‘Tender – Grazing Land at Hampsthwaite.’

Offers will be reported to the owner immediately after the above deadline and bidders will be advised as soon as a decision is made. The owner does not undertake to accept the highest or any offer.

Following acceptance of an offer, a license agreement will be produced and sent to the bidder. No access to the land will be allowed until the license has been signed and the license fee paid as cleared funds into the agents’ bank account.

The land may be viewed on foot at any reasonable time, viewers must be in possession of these particulars. No vehicular access to the land will be provided.