Flinton Hill Farm, Penshaw, Sunderland

An extensive, strategically located arable farm with useful grazing, significant alternative enterprise options, two pairs of farm cottages generating alternative income, versatile farm buildings and productive farmland.

For sale as a whole or in eight lots.

Location - Flinton Hill lies just off the A19 between the A183 and the A690, approximately 2 miles north of Houghton-le-Spring and 3 miles west of Sunderland town centre. The A1(M) is about 10 minutes by car and the A690 provides a fast link between Durham and Sunderland. Durham Station is on the main East Coast line giving regular rail access to Newcastle and London. Newcastle International Airport is about 22 miles away.

The nearest town is Houghton-le-Spring which offers day to day amenities, schooling, comprehensive leisure facilities and excellent access to the principal agricultural markets and rural professional services of the North East, making it an attractive location for both residential and rural business interests.

Herrington Country Park lies along the western boundary.

Description - Flinton Hill Farm is a significant and strategically located agricultural property with extensive land holdings totalling about 437.34 ac (176.99 ha) of predominantly arable land with additional parcels of permanent pasture currently used for horse grazing.

The farm includes two pairs of semi-detached cottages and a sizeable farmyard with a range of modern agricultural sheds and has excellent access to the surrounding road network.

The farm naturally divides into four land parcels with the farm buildings included within Lot 1. Each cottage is offered separately to offer flexibility with the sale.

The farm is therefore available as a whole or in eight lots.

The Land - The land, in total, extends to around 437.34 ac (176.99 ha) and is provisionally classified as Grade 2 and 3 by DEFRA. About 382.46 acres are in arable rotation and about 45.17 acres of permanent grassland and useful horse grazing, all of which is undulating and lying about 70m to 125m above sea level.

The soils of the arable land are identified on the National Soil Map as being mainly freely draining acid loamy soils suited to arable and grassland production. Field enclosures are well fenced with good access. Some areas are more seasonally wet, with slowly permeable acid loamy and clayey soils more suitable to permanent grazing. The land is generally in good heart and is well managed under a Contract Farming Agreement with vacant possession expected on completion.

There are two annual commercial horse grazing licences in place across Lot 1 (due to expire 30th September 2026) and Lot 3 (due to expire 31st March 2027). Further information regarding the licences are available from the Selling Agents.

Farm Buildings - The farm buildings are situated to the north-west of Lot 1 and are accessed via the main farm track directly from the A183 Chester Road. The yard comprises a well-configured array of secure agricultural buildings arranged around extensive areas of hardstanding and a small area of concrete which provide excellent vehicle circulation, loading space and external storage areas.

The Cottages (Lot 5-8) - There are two pairs of cottages at Flinton Hill Farm. Cottages 1 and 2 are located near the farm entrance whilst Cottages 3 and 4 lie to the east of the farmyard. Cottages 1 and 2 are constructed of traditional stone, each with an ancillary side extension that has been rendered, parking and good sized gardens. Cottages 3 and 4 are fully rendered under pitched, slate clad roof. All cottages have double glazing and oil fired central heating.

Each cottage has accommodation over two floors comprising:
Lot 5 - Cottage No. 1 - Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and wc.
Lot 6 - Cottage No. 2 - Sitting room, dining room, kitchen, utility, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and wc.
Lot 7 - Cottage No. 3 - Sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and wc.
Lot 8 - Cottage No. 4 - Sitting room, kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, 3 bedrooms, bathroom and wc.

Each cottage has a generous area of garden with various storage sheds and outbuildings. Further details of each cottage are available from the Selling Agents. They are all occupied under Assured Periodic Tenancies (APT) and will be sold with tenants in place.

General Information - The land and buildings will be available with vacant possession on completion including the cottages, subject to Assured Periodic Tenancies. Annual commercial horse grazing licences are in place at Lot 1 and Lot 3. Details of the leases and licences are available from the Selling Agents.

The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all rights of way whether public or private, rights of water, light, support, drainage, electricity and other rights and obligations, easements, quasi-easements, restrictive covenants and all existing and proposed wayleaves whether referred to or not. There are rights of access over Lot 1 to enter Lot 2. A secondary access from Foxcover Road to the south of Lot 2 and into Lot 3. A detailed access plan is available from the Selling Agents. Both a Bridleway and Public Footpath traverse the land. A plan is available from the Selling Agents. There are wayleaves in favour of National Grid and an easement in favour of Northern Gas. Further details are available from the Selling Agents.

There is a telecommunications mast located in Lot 2. It is not included in the sale. A right of access over Lot 2 is reserved for servicing the telecoms mast. Please discuss further with the Selling Agents. The land lies adjacent to Herrington Country Park.

Sporting Rights and Mineral Rights are excluded from the Property insofar as reserved by historic conveyances. Parts of the Property are also subject to historic National Coal Board rights.

An administrative fee of £37.50 per person will be charged to cover the cost of the necessary Anti-Money Laundering checks.

Viewings - Appointments to view will be through either of the joint Selling Agents only by calling:

GSC Grays Farm Agency - T:

Strutt & Parker – Estates & Farm Agency - T: