All eyes this week will be on the Gloucestershire town of Cheltenham for the annual Cheltenham Festival, one of the biggest events in the year for devotees of jump racing.
From today (Tuesday, March 10), some of the finest horses, jockeys, trainers and owners from the UK and Ireland will be pitted against one another across almost 30 races over four days, which will make or break reputations and create legends. To coincide with this special sporting event, OnTheMarket.com looks at six thoroughbred properties with equine facilities for sale or to rent.
First over the jumps is Barnsell House, a beautiful modern five-bedroom modern country house, situated on the edge of the desirable hamlet of Landford Wood, less than 10 miles from Salisbury, enjoying a private woodland setting with far reaching easterly views over adjoining paddocks, with excellent communication links by road and rail. In addition to a separate one bed coach house, outdoor heated swimming pool and mature landscaped gardens with south facing terrace and outstanding easterly views, Barnsell House boasts first class equestrian facilities including a timber barn with three internal stables, two loose boxes with scope for more if required, 40m x 20m sand and rubber Manège. In all, the land amounts to about 8.2 acres. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/771338/ (Price on application. Fox Grant, Salisbury)
The second property well up the field is a premier competition, trainers’ and owners’ centre just six miles from Junction six of the M25 and only 24 miles from central London. In addition to a four-bedroom owners’ residence with an indoor pool complex, oak panelled bar, jacuzzi for eight people, a gym and music sound systems, the property features an equestrian centre across 20 acres which was recently voted ‘best show centre’ by British Dressage Magazine. Highlights include an Olympic size indoor school with training mirrors and seating for up to 800 people with gallery and sound system, floodlit automatic watering system, 80 stables, three outdoor 20 x 60 arenas — two with full length training mirrors — three show jumping arenas with jumps, dykes, ditches, ‘Hickstead Banks’ and a 72-seater bistro. It currently holds shows throughout the year for competitors in all disciplines, including showing, unaffiliated and affiliated show jumping and dressage. An article published in the Financial Times in 2011 described the centre as ‘one of the best in the world’. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/810267/ (Price on application. Robert Leech, Lingfield)
The third property is Pipers Farm, a beautiful stud farm situated in a delightful rural location in West Sussex between Shipley and Coolham, with good train links to London’s Victoria and London Bridge. Centred around a three-bedroom oak framed barn — with impressive vaulted sitting room, large open fireplace, an Aga and Yorkstone throughout the ground floor — are some superb equestrian facilities. These include three steel framed barns housing 10 large stables, a mare and foal barn, stocks, tack and feed rooms, viewing gallery and horse walker. Outside there is a large implement barn, planning permission for a 60m x 50m sand school and the property in all is set in about 13 acres. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/483845/ (£1,100,000 Churchill Country Equestrian, Wisborough Green)
At number four is a seven-bedroomed farmhouse situated in a peaceful location about three miles from the market town of Okehampton with far reaching views across Dartmoor National Park which provide excellent facilities for riding and walking. In addition to a self-contained annexe comprising entrance hall, kitchen, sitting room, bedroom and shower room, the equestrian centre includes a 60m x 25m indoor arena with seating for 500, an adjoining 35m x 35m arena/warm-up area and a 60m x 60m outdoor arena and 40m x 20m outdoor arena. Other features include a restaurant and bar area, saddlery, lecture room, 50 stables and covered horse walker. A cross country course includes two “Hickstead Banks” and a clubhouse. The land extends to about 97 acres in total, with pasture land and stream frontage, woodland and a fully stocked carp lake. For sale as a whole or in two lots. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/576875/ (£1,500,000 Strutt & Parker, Exeter)
Almost in the home straight, is Jenkinhog Farm, a fantastic Grade II listed farmhouse in the little Essex village of Radwinter, less than five miles from the historic market town of Saffron Walden. Sitting in five acres of countryside, the five-bedroom property dates back to the 10th Century when the original farm was referenced in the Doomsday book and has undergone extensive renovation and restoration to create what now stands as an enviable family home, surrounded by beautiful landscaped gardens and grounds, providing privacy, protection and a fabulous outlook. The property also has full equestrian facilities, including a 60m x 20m floodlit arena, a fine spacious stable complex with seven large loose boxes and further barns including additional stabling, a tack room and a five bay cart shed. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/551622/ (£1,750,000 Strutt & Parker, Cambridge)
Coming in sixth place is an immaculately finished five-bedroomed farmhouse, which boasts a private paddock and two stables. It is conveniently located just outside the sought after village of Scruton, in Northallerton. The house has an impressive entrance hall, with a brick built porch on the outside. Extending off the entrance hall is the dining room and sitting room, both of which have views overlooking the gardens and paddock. The kitchen has been fitted with high-end units, granite worktops and has a double side opening log burner and an Aga. Together these rooms act as the family hub with additional features such as a wine cellar and a log store for the brick fireplace inside the house. The five spacious bedrooms are spread over two floors, all with excellent storage and unique character. Outside, there is a traditional brick barn, which has been converted to provide two stables, a storage space and a tack room. The paddock starts at the front of the property and reaches around the side, covering two acres. https://www.onthemarket.com/details/1139026/ (£1,750 pcm (£404pw) Joplings – Thirsk)
