A RARE chance to secure a farm in one of Wales’s most breathtaking rural landscapes has emerged, with four holdings in the Elan Valley being released to let for the first time in years.
The move is part of a renewed push to support agriculture, encourage diversification and strengthen the rural economy, giving successful tenants the opportunity to live, work and grow businesses in the heart of Mid Wales.
Available from the end of September through the Elan Valley Trust, the holdings include Abergwngu Farm and Tynllidiart Farm — both with residential properties — alongside Ty Mawr Sheepwalk and Hengae Sheepwalk, which are land-only opportunities.
Situated near Rhayader, the Elan Valley estate spans 72 square miles and is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, Victorian dams and reservoirs.
Managed by the Elan Valley Trust in partnership with Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water, the estate combines farming, conservation, education and public access while supporting local communities and protecting the environment.
Following the introduction of the Sustainable Farming Scheme and a recent internal review, the Trust has decided to scale back its in-hand farming operation and release several holdings to new tenants.
Charlotte Harley, Estate Manager at Elan Valley Trust, said: “Opportunities like this don’t come along often. These are working farms in a very special part of Wales, and we want to see them in the hands of people who are serious about farming the land well and joining this established and collaborative upland farming community.
“Tynllidiart Farm would make an ideal starter holding and we would work closely with a new entrant tenant to support the growth and development of their farming business.
“For all our holdings, we want tenants who understand what this landscape is and want to be part of caring for it.”
As part of the selection process, the Trust says it will be looking for tenants who share its wider ambitions around nature conservation, public access and community benefit.
Charlotte added: “Good farming and good stewardship go hand in hand here. The Elan Valley has a farming identity that goes back generations, and these tenancies are a chance to keep that alive, with fresh thinking and new energy behind it.
“We want people who want to put down roots, not just farm the acres. If that sounds like you, we’d encourage you to get in touch.”
More details on the individual holdings are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
For more information, visit the Elan Valley Trust or follow @discoverelan on social media.
