[brambledout]

I’m wondering whether any potential smallholders might be interested in a small (4 acre) parcel of land which has been neglected for some time.
To be clear, this isn’t a purely commercial proposition – the fields and orchard have belonged to my family for a long time and were once productive – and I’m not looking for rental payments (apart from a tiny sum to make a legal contract work) for an initial period.  It is possible to put a caravan there for accommodation, although there's no electricity or mains water supply.
A willingness to care for 3-8 rare-breed pigs essential, while they clear the orchard of brambles, and any practical knowledge of fencing, coppicing, orchard care, composting WCs, etc very helpful.
The land is on the Warwickshire/West Midlands border, and may be a useful starting point for someone keen to 'try the life' before committing to a purchase elsewhere (or running screaming from the reality!).
Questions welcome!

[john and helen]

what a great offer, nice one 

[WannaBeFarmerJoe]

sounds really interesting, where about on the Warwickshire/West Midlands border are you?

[MelRice]

Ive heard there is a tenancy coming up soon in Barnsley....We used to keep our horse there before we cam to Germany.....I thought about it last time it was up but the hose was in real need of renovation then. (Its been done now to very good speck or so Im told)

[autoidea]

Hi, I am very interested in a new type of smallholding which relies on renewable energy to supplement the income and to provide an educational example to others.
I can show the entire "circle of life" there, from crops to waste to energy to crops again.
Do you think yours would be a good place for that ?

[MikeM]

this is a fantastic offer, someone is going to get very lucky. If only you could move the land a bit closer to NW Devon.

[brambledout]

I wish it was closer to NW Devon too Mike!!
No one seems to be seriously interested, so I'm now going to advertise it locally for grazing. 

[brambledout]

autoidea - nice concept but this land isn't suitable for that as the access track is not suitable for school minibuses, etc.

[Hevxxx99]

What period of time are you talking about as the "initial period" and what will happen after that? Will you take it back, or continue to rent it at a higher price or what?  Just wondering as I have a friend who may be interested, but she has already had her fingers burnt once when taking on a smallholding on a repairing tenancy which then had the rent increased to a point where she had to leave ad it broke her heart.

[tattycat]

Wow. What a fantastic offer, however whoever took it on would have to have some guarantee that all the work doing the restoration would then not be turfed off. Maybe do a guaranteed long term rent. Hope you find someone soon. Have a look on River Cottage 'landshare' site.....