Hi,
Hmmm, an intro...my wife, young daughter and I bought a smallholding in South Cheshire with 2 acres last year and promptly knocked it down!
It's not as bad as it sounds though, the derelict house and barn are due to be rebuilt this year with the longer term plans involving a small single bed holiday cottage in part of the rebuilt barn and a Caravan Club Certificated Site (max 5 vans) on part of the field.
The other acre or so we're not entirely sure what to do as yet and are considering everything from wildlife habitat, DIY livery, and apple orchard/production to raising a few animals for slaughter.
Either which way, the property has to help pay for itself and provide a retirement income in about 20+ years! Plus we don't want to be too tied down (nothing that a house/site sitter couldn't manage) as we do enjoy travelling too...but we appreciate that compromises may have to be made!!
Having grown up in the area we have a reasonable network of Cheshire dairy farmers and a few contacts from my uncle and brother who used to breed predigree texels...but until your immersed in that world it's never quite the same looking in from the outside!
Looking forward to sharing knowledge and hearing from like minded people,
Oly