What would you do with 3 acres of land??

[Hotdamn]

Hi - this has just been offered to us to purchase right next to our house. It is affordable, it can't be developed for housing. Currently has a few trees and sheep. We live on the edge of a town and we have never had more than a small back garden before, we are proper townies. I'm excited at the prospect but... any advice on how to use the land / what to do with it?! We have 4 secondary sch aged children. Thanks!

You need to find out what you are allowed to do on the land before you buy it.

I love the idea of planting trees, an orchard, chickens, a wildlife area, bird boxes, an allotment. I can see this being developed over time as I get more of an understanding of everything. I think a swimming pool is out of the question (maybe a pond though) and horses are too daunting!

What sort of rescue animals? And why alpacas? DP is already googling sit-on lawnmowers. And tractors .

If I had land I would use two acres for a caravan and camping certified site. The other acre for an orchard/ wild flower area.

Buy it. Even if you don't use it, you can rent it out to someone and control (via the lease) what they do with it so you can protect your view from the house.
I wouldn't be surprised if the no-housing clause was relaxed in the future, there is such pressure on Councils to create more housing.

My first thought was “Horse!” but seeing as I don’t have one at the moment: an orchard, beehives, plants for the bees, a strawberry tree, a few chickens, hedgehog homes and a wildlife pond.

Mini nature reserve-cum-family campsite. A place you can pack the kids and their friends off with a tent to build fires etc. I’d also love to do forest school activities.

You need to study the planning conditions for agricultural land in your area. Half of the things people are suggesting would never be allowed without change of use. If it is also green belt land then any kind of change of use would be highly unlikely, and a building of any kind may also not be allowed.

Nature reserve. Plant hedges, scoop out a pond and boggy areas. Wild flowers and native trees.

Dont get animals unless you are experienced in caring for them, there is a lot more to it than just sticking them in a field. Likewise renting out can be a nightmare. Its worth considering that land needs maintenance and fencing etc, especially if you have stock on it. I think woodland is probably a good idea, but it often isnt the easy option, sorry to be a party pooper, but its sensible to look at the cons as well as the pros.

@bodgeitandscarper

Dont get animals unless you are experienced in caring for them, there is a lot more to it than just sticking them in a field. Likewise renting out can be a nightmare. Its worth considering that land needs maintenance and fencing etc, especially if you have stock on it. I think woodland is probably a good idea, but it often isnt the easy option, sorry to be a party pooper, but its sensible to look at the cons as well as the pros.

Yes, I have a few acres and it takes A LOT of work. Dh and I do it all ourselves- hedge cutting, clearing, gate and fence mending, its constant.

Half horses, but on a more practical level trees!

Research and plant an ideal mix of trees for biodiversity. A really fun project the family could all do together!

Not sycamore or oaks if you are putting horses in there.

Alpacas or donkeys!

Or apples eyes hugely fat greedy pony

Keep it as green space and a wildlife haven. 3ac isn't really enough for horses unless they're kept in lots as the land will quickly get damaged.

Also please don't buy random animals unless you know how to look after them properly.

I'd rewind it! V trendy at the moment, extremely low effort and would mean a paradise for local nature. It's what they have done at Knepp, utterly fascinating.
www.amazon.co.uk/Wilding-return-nature-British-farm/dp/1509805095?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

ReWILD not rewind.

I bought 4 acres next to a property some time ago. To maintain an epic view mainly. Also for wildlife - foxes badgers barn owls love to hunt in it and wild deer.
I let neighbouring horse owners graze parts of it - they are into strip grazing.
I planted new native hedging along around 200 metres of it. That is now over 7 feet tall and full of birds.
I kept around half of it rough and untouched for wildlife.
I established an half acre mowed (farmer tractor) ‘garden area’ with wooden seating a compost section Etc.
Local farmer comes and gets around 8 bales per year from mowed parts around rough areas. I give it to him free - well he doesn’t charge me for tractors/balers etc.
Got good advice from local wildlife trust.
Considered Digging a wild pond - didn’t get round to it and wasn’t sure I wanted to do this for drainage etc reasons.
Friends used it perhaps 4 weeks per year as camping place - under local permission. Actually pita as they needed to use my loo shower etc. Very good friends only !
Established 2 fire pits - one far from all remote cottages but still needed to be very careful about wind direction!
Picked pounds and pounds if wild blackberries.
Forbade local shooter from shooting rabbits (he was also shooting fox and badger). So too did neighbouring field owners then.
Used to sit / lie in it and enjoy pure solitude/nature.
Never did establish veg plot or poly tunnel or field shelter but that was the plan !!
Good luck op. I wouldn’t hesitate to do same again.

We have 2 acres and we have
An orchard
Veggie patch with a poly tunnel
A wild flower area
Bee hives
Chickens
Kids play area- also a woodland area
Maintained garden area
And we built a workshop for my dh.

I'd go also go for a smallholding kind of setup. Chickens, bees, meadow flowers, so many things I can think of. Livestock and livestock guardian dogs.... aaahhhh

Thank you so much, yes it's good to keep me grounded as we do have to think about maintaining the boundaries and I have NO experience in keeping animals. We are definitely going to buy it and do some research on use/planning conditions etc. (And it is green belt, but that hasn't stopped fields of houses being built down the road)

3ac isn't really enough for horses unless they're kept in lots as the land will quickly get damaged three acres is fine for two horses, but I agree you'd then have to manage it well.

Chickens, orchard, polytunnels and a craft workshop - with a rough patch for nettles etc for wild dyeing.

Trees, orchard, a wildlife pond and a wildflower meadow for bees and butterflies plus a beautiful sight to look at out of your windows. Maybe some nice benches to sit on or a little picnic spot. If I was so inclined make a wild swimming pool, amazing in summer.

I also bought a Austrian scythe (and a lesson) - best purchase ever for it for smaller areas needing cutting back.