Property description
Available to let on behalf of Dorset Council, Holloway Farm offers an excellent opportunity to rent an equipped compact dairy farm that would also lend itself well to other livestock uses together with a detached 3 bedroom farmhouse, range of dairy/livestock buildings, and approximately 147.84 acres (59.89 hectares) of versatile and productive arable and pasture land.
Dorset Council Progression Farm to be let on a 20-year Farm Business Tenancy commencing on 25th March 2027 or earlier by negotiation.
Applications for Tender to be received in writing by 12 noon on Wednesday 28th October 2026.
Location - Holloway Farm occupies a rural position off Holloway Lane on the south eastern edge of Shillingstone in the heart of the North Dorset countryside. Shillingstone provides a range of local amenities including a village shop, public house and primary school. Sturminster Newton is about 4.50 miles to the north west and Blandford Forum is some 5 miles to the south east. The holding is located at the end of Holloway Lane, a short distance from the A357 main trunk road which provides links to regional towns and beyond.
The Property - Holloway Farm forms part of the Dorset Council’s farm estate, having been historically operated as a dairy farm. The farm is privately positioned at the end of Holloway Lane and now presents an opportunity for prospective tenants to consider a range of uses including dairy, livestock, and/or arable uses. The holding may be suitable for dairy and other livestock enterprises. Prospective tenants should be aware that stocking levels may be constrained by Environment Agency requirements, including the capacity of the existing slurry storage and the area of the Holding within the Nitrate Vulnerable Zone. Applicants will be required to satisfy themselves as to the suitability and capacity of the Holding for their proposed enterprise. The holding has the benefit of a well-proportioned, modern, three bedroom farmhouse, together with a range of modern farm buildings, and adjoining productive, level arable and pasture land extending to about 147.84 acres (59.89 hectares).
Agents Comments - Holloway Farm presents an opportunity for prospective tenants to rent a privately but easily accessible livestock holding which is now ripe for improvement. Whilst it lends itself well to being continued as a small dairy farm or livestock unit, Dorset Council will consider all other uses for the holding. This is a farm presently ‘in its working clothes’ and with the 20-year term being offered, this is an opportunity not to miss.
The Farmhouse - Holloway Farmhouse is a detached 3 bedroom house constructed of brick elevations beneath a pitched tiled roof with UPVC double glazed windows throughout. The property is centrally positioned within its established enclosed gardens which comprise level lawns interspersed with trees and shrubs. Access to the farmstead is available from the garden and there is car parking to the front of the house.
The ground floor accommodation comprises a boot room, ground floor WC, a modern kitchen with wall and floor units, Belling double oven and hob, and space for white goods, and a spacious sitting/dining room. On the first floor there are two good sized double bedrooms and a single bedroom together with a modern family bathroom with a low level WC, bath and overhead shower, and wall mounted basin. There is access from the bathroom to the eaves which provides additional storage space.
The Farm Buildings - The farm buildings are accessed directly off Holloway Lane to the north west of the farmhouse and comprise a range of modern livestock/dairy buildings together with a 10:20 swingover milking parlour, cubicle housing for 111 head, outdoor sleeper wall silage clamps, and slurry storage. The farm buildings are serviced by areas of yards, hardstanding and trackways.
The Land - A productive block of arable and pasture land extending to approximately 145.98 acres (59.07 hectares). The land is principally accessed from Holloway Lane at various points or directly from the farmstead. The land wraps around the woodland known as Alders Coppice and adjoins the River Stour on the northern and eastern boundaries. The land is divided into a number of workable enclosures of level arable and permanent pasture land, all with the benefit of interlinking access points via field gateways. In recent years, the land has been utilised for livestock grazing and arable uses.
The land is largely enclosed by mature hedgerow boundaries, supplemented in part by post and wire fencing. There are mains water connections to part of the land that are served by water troughs. Natural water supplies are from the lands adjoining the watercourses.
The land is understood to be classified on the Agricultural Land Classification Map as being a combination of Grade 2 and Grade 4 quality. The soils are described as being a mixture of loamy, freely draining, slightly acid but base rich soils and loamy and clayey floodplain soils with naturally high groundwater.
Services - Holloway Farm is understood to benefit from the following services:
Holloway Farmhouse: Mains electricity (single phase), private drainage in the form of a septic tank and an oil fired central heating system
A current EICR certificate is in place
Farm Buildings: Mains electricity (three-phase) and mains water
The Land: Mains and natural water supplies
Epc Rating - Holloway Farmhouse has an EPC rating of D
Council Tax Rating - Council Tax Band D – £2,714.58 2026/2027
Designations - Holloway Farm is understood to be subject to the following designations:
•SSSI Impact Risk Zone
•Part of the holding is in a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone
•Part of the holding is in the Dorset National Landscape (formerly AONB)
•Part of the holding is in flood zones 2 and 3
Environmental Schemes - The land at Holloway Farm is not presently subject to any Environmental Stewardship Schemes. The Landlord will actively encourage tenants to engage with appropriate available schemes. Towards the end of the tenancy, the Landlord will be reluctant to authorise complex options that could limit the marketability of the farm in seeking a new tenant. Early consultation on any agreement which will run longer than the term date would be recommended.
Rights Of Way, Wayleaves And Easements - The letting will be subject to all existing and future wayleaves, easements and rights of way. There is a public bridlepath crossing NG 8373.
Sporting Rights - The Shooting Rights are presently excluded from the letting. There is a Lease in place for the Shooting Rights over part of the land until 1st March 2029.
The Fishing Rights are excluded from the letting along the River Stour bank.
Mineral And Timber Rights - Reserved to the Landlords, Dorset Council.
Dorset Council Farms Estate Strategy - Dorset Council manages its Farms Estate in accordance with the Dorset Council Farms Estate Strategy 2026 to 2036. The Strategy provides a long term vision for a sustainable and thriving agricultural estate that supports new entrants into farming, delivers environmental improvements and enables economic prosperity.
The Estate includes Starter and Progression Farms. Starter Farms provide opportunities for new entrants to establish sustainable farming businesses, while Progression Farms provide opportunities for existing farm businesses to progress, expand and invest. Across the Estate, the Council seeks to support sustainable food production and rural enterprise, environmental improvement and the effective stewardship and management of its land and buildings.
The successful tenant will be expected to manage and develop the Holding in a manner consistent with the aims and objectives of the Strategy. Applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the Strategy, available here:
Progression Farm - Holloway Farm is designated as a Progression Farm and is being offered on a fixed 20 year Farm Business Tenancy. The longer term is intended to provide sufficient certainty for the successful tenant to develop their business and invest in the Holding, whilst maintaining an appropriate turnover of opportunities within the Farms Estate.
Method And Conditions Of The Letting - The successful tenant will be expected to manage and develop the Holding in a manner consistent with the objectives of the Dorset Council Farms Estate Strategy 2026–2036, including the development of a sustainable agricultural business, good husbandry and management of the Holding and appropriate environmental improvement.
Holloway Farm is being offered to let by Informal Tender as a whole on a 20 year Farm Business Tenancy Agreement to commence on 25th March 2027.
The deadline for tenders to be received in full with supporting information to Symonds & Sampson LLP, 2 Court Ash, Yeovil, BA20 1HG marked ‘Tender for Holloway Farm’ by 12 noon on Wednesday 28th October 2026.
Dorset Council will not be bound to accept the highest rent offered or any application for the Farm Business Tenancy.
Each party shall be responsible for meeting their own professional costs. The incoming tenant will be required to register the Farm Business Tenancy with HM Land Registry and pay any arising Stamp Duty Land Tax that may be payable.
The tenancy is not likely to be extended except in exceptional circumstances in order to enable the turnover of opportunities for prospective tenants entering and moving through the sector.
Ingoings Valuation - There is no ingoing payment due from the incoming tenant for fixtures or improvements, and there will be no dilapidations payment due to the incoming tenant, so tenders should be submitted on the basis of the current condition of the farm.
Schedule Of Condition - A Schedule of Condition will be prepared on behalf of Dorset Council prior to the commencement of the Tenancy.
Agricultural Landlord And Tenant Code Of Practice - Applicants should, if they have not already done so, familiarise themselves with the Agricultural Landlord and Tenant Code of Practice for England, to understand the general principles and expectations of the respective parties in the management and use of tenanted farms.
Local Authority - Dorset Council
Health And Safety - Prospective applicants that are invited to the viewing days are reminded to take particular care when inspecting the property. All parties do so at their own risk. Neither the Landlord or their Agents will be held liable for any damage or injury that may occur to the inspecting parties, their belongings or vehicles. Prospective applicants will be required to sign in upon arrival at the property.
Viewings - Strictly by appointment only on the agreed viewing days.
Directions - From Sturminster Newton head in a south easterly direction along the A357, continuing forward until you reach the village of Shillingstone. As you head out of the village on to Blandford Lane, take the left hand turning onto Holloway Lane. Proceed forward for about 0.20 miles passing under the bridge and Holloway Farm will be found on the right hand side of the lane.
What3words - ///Sketches.cowering.unfilled
Agents Contact Details - Symonds & Sampson LLP, 2 Court Ash, Yeovil, Somerset, BA20 1HG
Contact for more information
Joanna Down –
Greg Ridout –
Key features
3 Bedrooms
2 Bathrooms
Land - Land
Not Specified
More features
20 year Farm Business Tenancy | Potential range of uses including dairy, livestock, and/or arable | Located in the heart of the North Dorset countryside
More details
- Property type
- Land - Land
- Size
- Not specified
- Monthly price
- £0
- Weekly price
- £1
- Available from
- Ask Landlord
- Bedrooms
- 3
- Bathrooms
- 2
- Furnishing
- Not Specified
Map
This listing is located at Shillingstone, Blandford Forum, Blandford Forum.