DESPITE the knock-on effects of the coronavirus pandemic, farmland is still in high demand in Cumbria, according to land experts.

And it’s not just sales that are promoting interest. In the upper Eden Valley area, earlier this month, 75 acres of land at Mask Road, Bleatarn, Kirkby Stephen received tremendous interest prior to its successful letting.

Mark Barrow, associate director & head of land agency (South Lakes) for H&H Land & Estates, said “Current evidence is highlighting that that interest is certainly out there, and although the land and property market has been impacted by the pandemic, rest assured there are still farms, land and rural property available along with a plentiful supply of purchasers.”

He added: “Of course, adjustments are needing to be made, sales may take longer, auctions need to be done differently and completions could be delayed, but there is no reason to stop in our tracks, in fact quite the opposite, it is an excellent time to do the ground works for a sale.

“Due to lock down and social distancing guidelines we had to cancel the auction of Dove House Farm, however the farm remains on the market, and we will continue to proactively market the opportunity and others like it.”

A 50-acre former lowland dairy farm, Dove House Farm, Cow Brow in Lupton near Carnforth, is due to be sold at public auction at a date to be confirmed, with an overall guide price of £750,000 to £825,000, and land at Little Asby, near Kirkby Stephen has come on the market at an overall guide price of £165,000. The land extending to 51 acres of grazing land and sole grazing rights on Inrakes Common, is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).