: Homes: There's lots happening down on the farm.

PICTURESQUE Brook House Farm in Cheshire is coming under the hammer with a price guide of between pounds 750,000 and pounds 1m.

The farmhouse and surrounding 275 acres of land form the centrepiece of an auction involving four lots. The others comprise a second farm and two areas of land suitable for accommodation.

Brook House, at Little Budworth and Outside Farm, Winsford, are within a ring fence and were farmed as one unit by the Whittaker family for many years. They were at one time two independent holdings both supporting a farmhouse and associated buildings.

However, in recent years, both sets of farm buildings have fallen into disrepair and the land has not been intensively farmed, although there has been considerable emphasis on conservation and wildlife.

The land is well timbered, hedgerows have been maintained and there are areas of wetland and numerous ponds.

It is thought Brook House Farm will be of interest, not only to the local agricultural community, but also to the private buyer. There would be an opportunity to create a small residential estate while the second farm is expected to attract interest from developers.

Brook House itself is situated in a secluded position and has family accommodation arranged over three floors. There are a total of five bedrooms and two bathrooms.

In addition, the driveway approaching the property contains Fairacre, an attractive cedar clad Colt bungalow with three bedrooms.

The property is surrounded by 275 acres with gardens and farm buildings.

The second derelict farm has a price guide of pounds 300,000 and there are two other plots of land priced at up to pounds 50,000 and pounds 100,000. A sale by public auction will be held on August 1.

Contact Stephen Cheshire at Strutt & Parker, 01244-328361, for further details.