Unexpectedly inherited some small amount of land

[TheQuirkyMaker]

We have just learned we have inherited 2 acres of pastoral land in Dorset (it was part of a smallholding). It can't be built on as it is designated as agricultural. It is worth about 20k and it is half field, half woodland. Shall we sell it, or keep it for our grandchildren? We don't actually need the money.

Do you live anywhere near to it ? Personally I’d sell as wouldn’t be travelling to maintain it etc

Wow how exciting, if you simply leave it the field will rewind itself. Or plant a small orchard?

My first consideration would be how close are you to Dorset and are you expected to maintain it, that could be costly especially if there are trees on the land?

Keep it. Dorset is stunning and land valuable. Economically its a good investment. Also a good source of wellbeing, you could let it become a nature reserve - some social media bods do the same and they become beautiful beautiful places

I’d keep it as it’s the only thing you can’t make more of.. keep it in the family, and pass it down as one day it will have some value.

If you do keep it you would be advised to get public liability insurance at least. If someone injures themselves on your land, even trespassing, they could make a claim.
Also if it has road access you would need to make sure it is very secure to avoid unwanted encampments.

I'd keep it. Get in touch with the local Wildlife Trust to see how best to manage it for wildlife. Take the grandkids camping there in the summer and remember to take a hammock and G&T for yourself ...

If you don’t have an emotional attachment to it, I’d sell and invest the money for the grandchildren as it will be difficult for them to do anything with their share. I would assume that woodland needs some upkeep.
I’d investigate whether any change of use would be at all likely before taking a decision though.

I'd sell it and put the money aside for grandchildren instead.

Could it be used as a secure dog field? Not sure how it would work setting one up but we regularly use them with our dogs when we are away in the caravan.

Can you access it? If so I’d keep it and camp on it or take a caravan to it as a base for holidays. xx

If you live nearby, use it yourself, but you'll need a way to keep the grass down. Someone who keeps livestock might be interested in renting it (I know a fair few farmers who have bits of rented land dotted about). You might need to ask around and advertise in the farming world (auction mart, animal feed stores, etc.). Are there any smallholders nearby who might want it?

If you decide to rewild it, please remove the ragwort. It's highly poisonous to livestock and, rather helpfully, it is a self-seeder that seems to have gone wild since rewilders and the council stopped mowing roundabouts and things around here...

Alternatively, sell it to someone who can make the most of it.

If you live more than 1 hr from the land, I’d sell it. It will take work to maintain and enjoy it and that is hard when you are far away.

if you live v close to the land, then visit and decide what you’d actually like to do with it.

I would sell it. You don't say how many grandchildren you have or how far away you are, but selling it would be the fairest and simplest solution.

There's a high chance that some, or all, of your grandchildren will never visit. Also keeping it means there are likely to be arguments and disagreements down the line, as there are bound to be differences in opinion on what to do with it, or whether to sell it.

Could you lease the land to a local farmer for animals and earn a small rent from it?

If you do decide to keep it, check for any public right of way/walking path, and then fence it off securely or you might find someone does it for you and claims it as their own.
there was a thread on here a while back where this happens to a poster

It would depend on whether it's easily accessible or you have go through someone else land to access it.

A friend of mine has a small woodland, it seems a lot to maintain but he is there most weekends and has made it a home from home for them and their kids, not built on it but has tarpulin shelters, adventure course swinging between trees for the kids, wildlife cameras and watching posts, outdoor kitchen built from the wood etc. I think its really amazing but seems a lot of commitment. I you can use and get any enjoyment from the land then keep it, if you can't then maybe sell it as I think with woodland you are duty bound to coppice etc.

I’d keep it . Land is bring more and more built on so it would be a lovely space for the kids to roam .

I don't live anywhere near some land i own.
I rent it out...well, no money changes hand but I let someone graze sheep (or cut for hay) in return they cut the hedges and generally maintain it. It works really well for both of us.
For me this is far easier than charging rent then me having responsibilities for hedge cutting etc.

We have 10acres in Sussex acquired in a similar way. It was ok pre Brexit because the EU set aside grant covered the cost of maintaining the hedges - it borders a road so we have to manage the trees. We now lease it to a farmer who takes the hay crop in return for hedge cutting - theoretically, although we still seem to have fairly regular tree surgeon costs when the neighbours complain about the trees. I’d have sold it years ago but whilst certain family members are still living that would cause too much upset.