How hard would it be, and how much would it cost to set up my own small holding in the country side?

Question

Like River Cottage. I'm a trainee accountant but would love to do this like Hugh Fearnely-Whittingstall. Its my dream lol. How much do you recon a smallish cottage in Northumberland with a bit of land would cost?

Spose i could set up as a self employed accountant and work from home too lol!

Ahh one can but dream.................

Oh, it has to have a river at the bottom of the garden lol.

Answer 1

My husband is looking at setting up in France in a few years, and got a book from a friend (I put the amazon link below, but you may be able to borrow it from a library too) to help with the planning. There's also a lot of tips and info in the River Cottage Cookbook, so it's worth buying it to get a better idea of the whole small holding life (some good recipes too of course, as a bonus) - again amazon link below.

You need to decide what you want out of the small holding (self sufficiency only, or profits too...) and whether you will be able to work at the side as well (will you have the time for it really), and then you will need to prepare a proper business plan - you can find a lot of info and help online for that. Just remember you will have a lot of set up costs, not just the land and cottage - you will need outbuildings, equipement (tractor and tools), fences and maintenance of the whole place - it all costs money and you need to plan for it in your budget. You can search for each bit of equipment you need on eBay to get an idea of the second hand prices (not saying you should buy there, but it's a fast way to find prices when you are setting your business plan).

You probably will find that you will get more land for the money on the continent, but you will need to find out the working practices for the country (for example what qualifications and controls you need to sell food on the market and so on...)

If you really want to set up in the UK, you will just need to be patient and take your time looking for the perfect property. You could take some time talking to estate agents in Northumberland to get a better idea of the market. Some will even agree to put you on a mailing list for suitable properties, so you can see how the market evolves as well.

Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

Answer 2

I always wanted a cabin in the woods by a creek.  When I talked with Realtors and said could I buy something like that for $50,000, they just laughed, this was years ago.  Well I finally found my dream cabin in Sierra City about 7 years ago.  The cabin sits on 1 acre, adjacent to forest service land and salmon creek going through our property, it is beautiful.  And it only cost me $60,000, but than my two sisters also put in $60,000 each and we share it.  So dreams do come true!

Answer 3

For 120,000 pounds Sterling you could get the cottage somewhat near the river.  Get ready to settle a lot of accounts from your home accounting business.  I opened my own business in 2001.  I wish i had done it earlier.

Answer 4

Do a real estate search, there are lots of properties out there.  Find out about prices, so you have a target, then start saving.

I have looked longingly at lots of places, often needing renovation but habitable now, in France, UK and further afield.  Maybe someday ........