Suffolk County Farms Estate

Find out about our rural estate and county farms available to rent, including an application form, relevant documents and a map.
Red tractor and forage harvester in Suffolk field with blue sky and small clouds.
Tractor and forage harvester in a Suffolk field

Suffolk County Council's county farms estate covers 4,960 hectares across the county. 

The estate also works with its 127 tenants to create a variety of farming and rural businesses, ranging from agriculture to retail, to support the local economy whilst providing over £1,000,000 to support the council's front-line services. 

The estate has also raised over £9,000,000 by selling surplus property in the last 10 years and provides a valuable land bank for the council to promote its wider policies, including housing projects in rural areas.

The council has shown its commitment to the estate's long-term future through its cross-party review in 2019.

Publications for general information

Agricultural holding to let

The estate offers opportunities to rent land & buildings for those looking to establish rural businesses however, no land and buildings are currently available to rent. When opportunities to rent are available they are advertised at the start of each year with Tenancies starting on the 11 October.

To apply for a rental opportunity applicants will need to complete an online application form and financial workbook. Successful shortlisted applicants will need to attend a formal interview after which the tenancy will be awarded. Download Suffolk County Council's standard Tenancy agreement (PDF, 937KB) - for information purposes only.

Email countyfarms@suffolk.gov.uk or call 07540 668835 for further information.

Commercial Agricultural Lettings 2023

Following the successful programme of agricultural lettings in previous years, we are pleased to announce that 4 agricultural holdings are now available to let as of 11 October 2023.

These 4 holdings are 2 bare Land Holdings and a partially equipped holding at Great Barton near Bury St Edmunds and a partially equipped holding at Undley, Lakenheath near Brandon.

Download the letting particulars of each property.

Viewings of the bare land holdings are to be conducted on foot in daylight hours only with a copy of the letting particulars to hand, vehicle access to the holdings is not permitted.

A viewing day for Jubilee Farm, Great Barton will be held on 6 July 2023 from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

A viewing day for the holding at Undley, Lakenheath will be held on 7 July 2023 from 9.30am to 3.00pm. 

Whilst viewing the holdings please be respectful of the current tenant, do not damage or disturb growing crops or livestock and ensure all gates are closed and secured, following your inspection.

A copy of Suffolk County Council’s Standard Tenancy agreement is available to download below:

We are now inviting aspiring tenants to apply for the holdings available using the application form below, applicants should also complete and submit the budget workbook.

Please note that before completing the application form applicants should read the rural estate bid information document which contains guidance on the application process and criteria for applicants:

The closing date for the submission of applications is 12.00 noon on 17 July 2023.

Applications that arrive after 12.00 noon on 17 July 2023 will not be accepted.

For further information, email countyfarms@suffolk.gov.uk or call 07540 668835.