Introduction to County Farms Estate
In England and Wales Local Authorities' Estates extend to just
under 300,000 acres of land for agricultural purposes, enabling
approximately 4,500 tenants to gain their livelihood.
Cheshire’s County Farms Estates are located
throughout Cheshire West and Chester and Cheshire
East and extend to almost 10,000 acres, currently consisting
of some 130 farms ranging in size from 45 to 190 acres.
The land was acquired progressively between 1909 and 1935 as a
result of legislation introduced to encourage the creation of
opportunities for people to farm on their own account.
These areas were then developed as Statutory Smallholdings by the
provision of purpose built houses and buildings, or the conversion
of existing properties. Subsequently, substantial adaptation works
have been carried out by the Council and its tenants to provide
modern facilities for the production of milk to meet the changing
needs of the farming industry.
The Estate includes a range from small, unequipped parcels of bare
land, to fully equipped dairy farms of 190 acres, with house,
buildings and all appropriate facilities. 
Knowing where to go for help and advice when setting out in
farming has always been difficult and confusing. You can find out
invaluable information about opportunities in other areas and
answers to some frequently asked questions from the ACES website.