Ever wanted to have your very own patch of land which you can share with friends?
In a very rare opportunity, a 300 acre 'affordable' grouse moor in the heart of the Durham Dales has come to market. The Horden Moor Allotment once formed part of the Raby Estates, and was bought by the current seller's family who were once tenants there.
Rather than turn the heather moorland in the North Pennines AONB into grazing for sheep, they kept it as a grouse moor. The British Association for Shooting and Conservation estimates that at least 40,000 people take part in grouse shooting each year with 75% of the world's heather moorland found in Britain.
John Coleman, who heads up GSC Grays specialist Farms and County House Agency is managing the sale. He said: " It is very seldom that an opportunity like this comes to market in an area with a very good reputation for grouse shooting. This is one of the smaller grouse moors in the country and therefore, one of the most affordable and is the kind that a group of friends can buy.
"Grouse numbers have increased steadily since the moor was managed once again for shooting and benefits from the proximity of well-keepered neighbouring properties. The five-year average bag is 158 brace and over ten years is 149.5 brace. The current syndicate shoots the moor four or five days a year."
The land has also been entered into a Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreement limiting the number of sheep which can be grazed on the land. A recent report indicated that grouse moor owners in England spend £52.5m every year on moorland management.
The Horden Moor Allotment is currently on the market with GSC Grays through its Barnard Castle Office with a guide price of £750,000.
