A smallholding is a rural property with living accommodation and as little as 1 acre and up to 50 acres of land attached or adjoining. A smallholding could be used either primarily as a residential accommodation or commercial premises i.e. bed and breakfast (though, typically with owner’s living quarters in the case of B&B - but this is not the case if a self-catering holiday let).
Here are some supporting features for the definition of a UK smallholding:
- land format could be pasture, paddocks, amenity, woodland, for example. There’s no specific restriction.
- type of property also could be varied e.g. bungalow (or single storey), longhosue, croft house, farmhouse, barn conversion etc.
- outbuildings could be included, but is not mandatory to qualify
- specialist use may apply, such as equestrian, or livestock farm, for example.
- smallholding may enjoy distinct natural features such as riverside access, water well, wind lakes, woodlands etc.
- smallholdings could host business enterprises, be entirely domestic, or even hybrid.
- popular smallholding occupations for owners include: kennels, cattery, AirBnB, campsite etc.
- smallholdings can be sold a variety of ways via auction, broker, private sale by seller
A popular online marketplace for buying or selling a smallholding in the UK is the paid newsletter: smallholdingsforsale.substack.com