Rural Sales - Market Comment
Head of Rural and Professional
Keep up to date with the latest properties, rural business insights, market commentary and events:
Join mailing listThe national farmland market in 2024 was the busiest it's been for some years. It was influenced by a General Election, anticipation of CGT changes in the Autumn statement, and, following that, the unexpected proposed changes to Agricultural Property Relief and Business Property Relief.
All this is alongside the reduction in farm subsidies through the transition period, which requires farm businesses to review how they do things and restructure as needed. As ever, changes in economics, government and taxation lead to business decisions being made and more significant market activity as a result.
According to a recent survey undertaken by Savills, which was recently published in the Farmers Weekly, there was an increase in the number of larger farms being sold in 2024, with 56% of farmers selling to either manage debt, financially restructure, or invest capital elsewhere in pursuit of better returns. Nationally, the increase in farmland values was less than 1%; however, within the southwest, their survey reports stronger demand and a rise in values for bare arable land of 5.7%. The market for residential farms was more challenging. That said, these market trends can be very different in regional hotspots.
One hotspot is the Cotswolds, where Butler Sherborn is a residential property and farmland market specialist. "2024 was our busiest year yet where we sold a record level of farm and equestrian property," says Richard Greasby, head of the Rural Department. "Around 25% of our sales have been private/off-market, and 62.5% have been agreed in excess of the guide prices". The Cotswold remains a very popular area with buyers ranging from existing farmers looking to increase their holdings and non-farming investors to entrepreneurs and celebrities alike. The proposed Inheritance Tax changes, effective from April 2026, may influence some buyers and sellers in the market; however, we are not expecting values to change noticeably in 2025.
Butler Sherborn has a very exciting year ahead with new instructions to bring to the market during 2025. This includes a wide variety of properties from both our equestrian and rural team, from a residential farm with several hundreds of acres, bare land, and many more instructions in the pipeline.
We have a strong book for potential buyers, so if you are thinking of selling your farm, equestrian property, or bare land, then please call Richard Greasby or Ben Way to discuss your plans confidentially.
Land Sales and Acquisitions | Butler Sherborn
Richard Greasby
E: richard@butlersherborn.co.uk
T: 01285 883 740
Ben Way
E: ben@butlersherborn.co.uk
T: 01451 830 731
Butler Sherborn is delighted to sponsor the Members Marquee, Moreton Show - Saturday 6th September
Moreton Show is one of the UK’s largest and most prestigious one-day agricultural shows. It’s a celebration of British farming, rural traditions, and community spirit.
Butler Sherborn is delighted to sponsor the Members Marquee, Moreton Show - Saturday 6th September
Drought Tolerant Plants By Oxford Garden Designs
After the long, hot, dry spring and summer the impact of climate change in most of our gardens is obvious. Establishing that pristine, green stripy lawn has been a challenge this summer, and, given the shortage of water in our reservoirs, not sustainable. Many of our favourite garden plants have fried, shrivelled, or even died so it seems inevitable to me that us green-fingered folk will have to make some changes in our approach to maintaining gardens.
Drought Tolerant Plants By Oxford Garden Designs
Mortgage Rates - Recent Developments
Charlie Huxley, the founder of Huxmor Limited, discusses the recent developments in mortgage rates. While the changes may not be dramatic, they create a vital opportunity for homebuyers and landlords to take decisive action and leverage on strategic advantages.
Market Update
Pub Of The Month - The Woolpack, Slad
Nestled in the Slad Valley, The Woolpack has been celebrated for its unique charm for more than 300 years.
Pub Of The Month
