TWO farms set in picturesque Dales countryside are on the market for an asking price of more than £1 million each.

Northcote Farm, situated in the shadow of Kilnsey Crag, and Throstle Nest Farm, in Eshton, near Gargrave, both offer excellent dairy farming opportunities and have not been on the market for many years.

Northcote is a Wharfedale farm that enjoys breathtaking views and is on sale for the first time in 89 years.

The 800-acre farm is expected to appeal to both conservationists and business people alike.

Farmed by the Foster family for 95 years, the property is for sale following Mr and Mrs Bill Fosters' decision to retire.

Mr Foster's father moved to Kilnsey from Arncliffe where his grandfather farmed in 1905.

He told the Herald the family's farming history went back around 400 years.

Mr Foster, 64, added: "My son does not see any future in it though with the present climate being as it is.

"People are not prepared to carry something on and lose money on it. If you've no financial need to do so it's a very pointless exercise.

"I am looking forward to my retirement, but it will be sad we won't be able to carry the farming on for future generations."

Rising from the River Wharfe to Kilnsey Moor, the farm comprises a substantial period farmhouse, a range of farm buildings and traditional stone barns.

A one-bedroomed flat and three-bedroomed cottage provide extra accommodation.

Added to this are low-lying meadows, limestone pastures, hill land and milk quota.

Northcote includes a hilltop Iron Age fort and was farmed by Cistercian monks from the 12th to the 16th century.

The land supports a milking herd of 100 cows, with a flock of 700 Swaledale breeding ewes on the higher ground.

The farm includes limestone pavement, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, caves and an abundance of wildlife.

George F White, chartered surveyors, agricultural valuers and estate agents of Bedale, are handling the private treaty sale.

The property will be sold as a whole or in up to seven lots with a guide price in excess of £1.2 million plus the milk quota.

Throstle Nest Farm, currently owned by Philip Green, is described as "offering one of the best commercial dairy farming opportunities available in the picturesque Craven valley area for many years".

Andrew Black, of FPD Savills York office, which is handling the sale, said the farm was a good dairy unit that had been well modernised over the years to keep up with technological advance in the industry.

Mr Black said: "The farm is the home of the Eshton Dairy herd, currently running some 200 pedigree Holstein cows milking three times a day.

"The farmer concentrates on both breeding and commercial milking in the current system. Most of the farm is suitable for mowing and in recent years parts of the farm have been taken for wheat and pea whole crop silage too."

In addition to the farmhouse there is an adjoining farm cottage and a barn with planning consent.

The guide price for the property is £1,200,000 plus a milk quota of 576,098 litres with 3.91 per cent butterfat.

It is for sale as a whole or in lots and spans a total of 382 acres (154 hectares).

Meanwhile, North Yorkshire County Council has turned down an offer to buy Kelber Hill Farm, near Gargrave.

The offer, discussed by the council this week, was made by the current tenant.

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