[robnrachel]

First of all Happy New Year to all 

Well we've (wife and I) have finally decided to up sticks from city existance and search for a small holding. Tho' when I say small holding I doubt it will be en par with a lot here, we're initially aiming for a vegetable plot/chickens etc etc as we are complete novices so guess 2010 will be a little interesting 

I (rob) actually work mostly from home as an IT project manager whilst Rachel looks after the tazmanian devils (3 kids under 5!). We've been dreaming of living in the country for so many years and now it's getting close! We put our house on the market in November with 2 or 3 serious interests so quite confident we'll sell in the not too distant future which then opens our doors to the opportunity of country living (I cant wait!).

I guess now the real investigation starts, size of land, location, schools etc etc. If there's any books worthy of buying I would really appreciate the info'.

One very basic question:- what size plot of land should we look for? We need at least a half acre just for the little ones to run around in. But for the future i.e. sheep/pigs possibly is there a recommended minimum? Is there any rules/regulations applicable to size of plot? for example, possible grants for hedge maintenance or something that guides us to understanding the pro's/cons of number of acre's in terms of workload & costs of general maintenance.

I've babbled on for long enough! If you've managed to read the above without falling asleep thanks 

I'm really looking forward to reading all the historic posts on this site tonight when the kids are in bed.

All the best
Rob & rachel

[doganjo]

Welcome to the forum, Rob and Rachel

what size plot of land should we look for?

My answer would be decide on a couple of areas you'd like to live in then go for as much land as you can afford.  Here in Clackmannan I was lucky to find a house in my price range with an acre.  But I only keep ducks and chickens, dogs and a cat, and grow a wee bit of veg just for me.
Good luck!

[robnrachel]

Thanks for your kind welcome 

We've really got our heart set on Powys, Wales and close to llandidloes hopefully. There's such a variety of opportunities from 1 to 15 acres but I guess I'm looking at that old saying "be careful what you wish for" if that makes sense? i.e. would love 15 acres but the work/cost to maintain it should be a serious consideration I presume?

Cheers
Rob, Rachel

[doganjo]

We had 21 acres adn the only costs were ensuring the fencing was up to scratch - till we let it out to a friend for her cattle and instead of four fields we ended up with one big one - the cattle had a big runabout one night and took all the internal ones down.  We think a fox got in with them and spooked them.  Powys is pretty but hilly.  I have friends at Llanfair Caerinion who have 11 acres.  You could try the local solicitors property website. or Rightmove - http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/Powys.html?index=750

[robnrachel]

Thats really good to know thanks (is your name Annie?).

If we looked at say 10+ acres I guess what I'm concerned about is the actual maintenance of it given I work fulltime so it would have to be after work/weekends (which is great by the way, but in reasonable moderation, if that makes sense!). So keeping it from becoming overgrown etc.

Reference Powys being hilly,well for me that is just great and just what we're looking for (wife is from just south of there, and I spent a few years in Breacon).

Thanks again for taking the time to respond.

Cheers
Rob, Rachel

[little blue]

Hello and welcome from a genuine 'backyard smallholder' in Derbyshire

[doganjo]

(is your name Annie?).

Sure is! (and I don't have a gun  )

All we had to do with our fields was put some fertiliser on in spring - advice from local farmers in abundance to get contractors; check the tansy was all pulled out, top them in summer - again advice freely given, got us a number of hay or silage bales we could sell to local horse folk to cover the costs.  The cattle were on it from May to October and we got £85 an acre.

[robnrachel]

Excellent info 

I guess the next few months will be really interesting  ....... I cant think of when I've ever been more excited and I havent even found a place yet!

Kind regards
Rob, Rachel

[Rosemary]

Hi and welcome - we're moving to a bigger smallholding this year - 12 acres. Sooo excited.

[Lavinia]

Hi Rob and Rachel

We have just moved into our small holding in October it is a huge learning curve but everyone on the TAS site has been really helpful, we now have 36 chickens, 1 drake, 1 duck, 4 cats,2 rabbits, 15 eggs due to hatch 14/1 (ducks) and hopefully some pigs in the spring.

Hope you find your dream spot, we found ours we are at the bottom of the pentland mountains in Central Scotland.

Good luck

Lavinia and Joe

[robnrachel]

Wow what a uber friendly lot

Thanks for the kind welcoming guys it really is appreciated. We've got a couple visiting our house tomorrow for their second viewing so we're keeing our fingers crossed then all systems go lol.

Looking forward to learning a lot on this site and thanks again!

Cheers
Rob, Rachel

[doganjo]

Good luck for tomorrow's viewing!

[Hilarysmum]

Hi and welcome. 

[HappyHippy]

Hello from me in snowy south lanarkshire 
I hope all goes well with your house sale and look forward to hearing how you get on.
Karen x

[JulieS]

Hello and welcome from North Devon 

Hope your house sale goes well and you find the right place soon.

When we were looking for a smallholding, this time last year, we were given the advice that you can never have enough land....So go for as much as you can get.  I'm glad I took that advice.  I thought 8 1/2 acres would be far more than I would ever use/look after...and it's not.  I think you 'grow' into whatever land you have.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on