An utterly charming three bedroom black and white cottage in the popular south Shropshire village of Culmington is for sale with a guide price of £280,000.

Tudor Lodge, 11 -12 Culmington, which is some six miles from Ludlow, is a quintessential pair of grade II listed English cottages – now lived as one. This comprises of three good sized ground floor rooms, namely the living room with character inglenook fireplace, the dining room and the kitchen.

The ground floor also accommodates a study, utility and shower room. There are two sets of stairs to the first floor where there are the three bedrooms.

Detached Rural Property In Shropshire With Private Parking

Joint agent, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Balfours property sales manager at Ludlow, comments: “This is one of those rare gems that don’t come on the market too often, combining village setting with a unique grade II listed home at an attractive price. Tudor Lodge is beautifully presented with feature timbers through the walls and the ceilings.”

There is a great mix of a garden with patio, lawn, fruit trees, raised beds and a greenhouse, plus gated off-road parking. For those seeking an extra retreat - a timber framed studio with power and lights, suited to home office or a hobby room, is part of the package too. Call Balfours on 01584 707100.

For further information please visit our Property Sales Page.

Contract Farming Agreements – CFAs - are widespread in Shropshire and the Midlands. Contract farming makes sense because most contractors want to spread their fixed costs and are therefore prepared to negotiate competitive rates to win contracts.

It is also attractive for many farmers and landowners for a number of reasons, including inheritance tax, control, or taking advantage of economies of scale. For those who have CFAs, I wonder when you last considered an open tender? It is easy to let them roll from year to year and before you know a surprising number of years have gone by without reviewing who can best match your CFA needs.

Now is surely the time? We know farming businesses need to tighten their belts, to be resilient to the economic vagaries post Brexit and to the new domestic agricultural bill. Reassessing and controlling costs will be a key component of future proofing your business.

We have been party to the tendering process in various locations and I can confirm a strong contractor interest; particularly and as you would expect, in the larger units of land where access, field size and soil quality are compatible with today’s equipment.

The successful tender is likely to be a combination of competitive cost and team competence. These factors should give the farmer confidence that the job will be done well and in a timely manner. As part of that you need to know the contractor has the appropriate mechanisation and staff ability which are achieving the track record, not just to farm the land, but to farm it well.

With any contract farming agreements it is worth considering and consulting with regard to the benefits of business property relief and that HMRC won’t just consider it a rent. That means ensuring there is enough risk, exposure to commodity price and yields, being born by you, the farmer.

As with so much in life, cheapest is not always best, or right in your situation, but going through the tendering process could be an eye opener as to the possibilities financially as well as practically to a profitable farming partnership; as the old saying goes there is more than one way to skin a cat – though I doubt that will be politically correct whichever way we proceed. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. is an Associate Partner with Balfours based at Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury.

Land for sale in South Shropshire is on the market with planning permission for seven, four bedroomed homes. The spacious development plot is situated in the picturesque countryside at Corfton, some eight miles from the popular market town of Ludlow.

Head of sales at Balfours, Alistair Hilton reflects: “South Shropshire is renowned for its beautiful countryside; the hamlet of Corfton certainly lives up to expectations. As agents, we know that demand for homes in South Shropshire remains strong, particularly where it is within the catchment of a good primary school.”

Excellent Property Development Opportunity For New Homes In Ludlow

He continues: “The surrounding countryside offers opportunities for fabulous and extensive walking, cycling plus other country pursuits. Corfton also benefits from a public house. Anyone wishing to embrace rural life will also be attracted to enjoying the thriving village community at Diddlebury a mile and a half away. This includes the village hall and highly regarded primary school.”

Ludlow enjoys an enviable reputation culturally, foodie plus well regarded secondary school and further education facilities. There is also an excellent array of independent restaurants and shops. “This exclusive development opportunity is marketed with full planning permission for seven homes with generous plots and good access,” Alistair adds. The development is marketed with a guide price of £670,000. Call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further information please visit our Property Sales Page.

A rare opportunity to buy a brand new and youthful barn conversion is likely to be snapped up according to Balfours.

 Agent, Charlie Giffard of Balfours says: “The Nook at Hatton Barns, Shawbury, is a highly successful contemporary open plan conversion, finished to a high standard. Set on one level, it is particularly suited to assisted or disabled living. The property is in a great location, equi-distance between Shrewsbury and Newport, with Telford and Stoke on Trent commutable too.”

A Ground Floor Lifestyle Likely To Be Snapped Up

Step inside the front door of this two bedroom home for sale through the hall to the open plan kitchen/living room which bask in space and light associated with a much larger home. An apex beamed ceiling and kitchen-island complete the curb appeal. The shower room is to be found across the hallway, while the two bedrooms are privately positioned at the opposite end to the living quarters.

Two pairs of French doors from the kitchen lead to the enclosed, good sized garden terrace, currently laid to gravel offering low maintenance and to be enjoyed from each of the bedrooms too.  The Nook is marketed at an affordable £215,000 and for many will sit head and shoulders above properties of a similar budget. For more information call the Balfours property sales team on 01743 353511.

For further information please visit our Property Sales Page.

A stunning farmhouse set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Yatton, Ross on Wye, is on the market with Balfours LLP. Lodge Farm sits in an idyllic location overlooking a pond, it comes with 4.17 acres including a pretty garden and garaging and the option to buy more land.

Joint agent, Scott Kemsley, of Balfours, says: “This is an utterly charming property and location. Lodge Farm is accessed via its own drive, with a variety of mature native trees enhancing the approach. The farmhouse has recently been renovated and extended achieving a house filled with natural light and character.”

An Idyllic Property Within AONB Plus Optional Extras

The entrance hall leads off to each of the main reception rooms and to the kitchen breakfast room. The kitchen benefits from a four oven Aga and newly fitted units – with French doors inviting meal times to spill out onto the terrace.  A traditional fireplace is to be found in the sitting room, together with glazing to two aspects, including French doors to the garden and surrounding countryside.

The dining room is on the opposite side of the hallway, beyond which is an enchanting third reception room with the original cast iron range. A rear lobby, with stairs to the first floor and basement, porch and a cloak room with shower complete ground floor accommodation. There are four bedrooms on the first floor, some with original fire places and the master room with en-suite; a family bathroom services the other three rooms.

Scott Kemsley adds: “The real beauty of Lodge Farm is its tranquillity, combined with its accessibility. The hamlet of Yatton is just a mile away, while Ross on Wye and Ledbury are five and eight miles respectively with an abundance of individual shops and restaurants. The property also sits within easy catchment of state and public schools. Road, rail and airport links are all within sensible striking distance.”

Balfours and Knight Frank are jointly marketing Lodge Farm with a guide price of £600,000, there is the option to buy extra land and a courtyard of traditional buildings. Call Scott Kemsley on 01584 707100.

For further information visit our Property Sales Page.

An individually designed detached home for sale, with extensive living space, plus an annexe above a triple garage, is on the market with Balfours.

Dovecote Grange is set in three quarters of an acre in the highly sought after village of Bratton, close to Wellington in Shropshire. Key amenities are to be found nearby, these include the local primary school with outstanding Ofsted, local GP surgery, plus the Princess Royal Hospital little more than two miles away. A wide range of local shops, a popular public house and major roads are also within a short distance.

Large Bespoke Home In Popular Village

Of significant proportions the property provides eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms over two floors. The ground floor enjoys a large welcoming hall, with double doors to the main lounge a double aspect room with bay window and French doors, plus a large inglenook fireplace with woodburning stove.

The kitchen is the heart of this home, designed in French style with bespoke island and units, a professional cooker, plus pantry and utility.  There are a further four reception rooms namely, the dining room, sitting room, garden room and study; below stairs a wine cellar is to be found.

Commenting on Dovecote Grange, Alistair Hilton, head of residential sales at Balfours says: “This is a very well presented and extensive family home. It also has tremendous possibility to double up for homework and indeed has been run as a bed and breakfast; the additional flexibility of the two bedroom annexe adds to its potential.” Dovecote Grange is marketed with a guide price of £850,000, call Balfours on 01743 353511.

For further information please visit our Property Sales Page.