If you were interested in buying a piece of land to grow veg and rear animals- where would you start?

[YellowBookPinkBananas]

I would like to look at buying land to grow veg, rear animals etc and potentially build a small home on it (the type on wheels as I think it makes planning a bit simpler) Ideally I would like around an acre.
Where do I start? I live in a big city where land is exorbitantly expensive so I have been looking further afield but then you end up with huge swathes of land. I can't completely relocate as I need to stay nearish my elderly family.
Would it be better to try and find a property that has a good chunk of land with it? Then I could move completely but again the cost is crazy and most of them need lots of work which would completely drain my budget and leave nothing to put into the land.

Has anyone done this? where did you start?

Just to note that the planning requirements are generally the same for a mobile home/caravan as for a permanent dwelling if looking for a new dwelling in the countryside ie you will need to put forward a case of agricultural need. That is, the holding itself generates a need for a person to be on site 24/7, not just that it makes it easier for you, or that you would like to.

I personally would start with a move to Mull...

I’d probably look for something with a small house and some land. If you’re going to be raising animals then you’ll need to be on site.

which area of the country do you need to be near?

Try looking at the 'accidental smallholder' forum.

Marry a farmer....

I mean I'm a farmers wife but in all seriousness it's not that easy.

What kind of animals? An acre is not much land at all, maybe half a dozen sheep. Do you mean you want to become self sufficient? Rear them for yourself?

What probably be better looking for smallholding type properties in various areas.

So many extra costs with animals, fencing, feed, shelter, more fencing, vets bills, insurance, more fencing, vaccinations, land rotation, grass rotation, vaccinations, health plans, movement control licences, etc etc etc.

You don't say your background but a course on basic land management and stock management online might help.

Do you have experience? Lots of places take on people for season work, eg lambing, then you get to know people and how things work.

Getting planning permission to live on the land, in whatever type of accommodation, is incredibly difficult. And where planning permission is more likely, the cost is higher!

If you search Land UK on Facebook you’ll find loads of groups dedicated to buying/selling. Also smallholding groups. There’s a website called Greenshifters which might be helpful.

I watched a Ben Fogle episode where a couple moved to Wales and did this. They paid 35k for the land and moved several horse transportation vehicles onto the land and turned them into homes.

One of the conditions of them staying there is that they have to be 65% self sustaining within a five year period, otherwise they have to take all accommodation down and are no longer allowed to live there.

https://www.channel5.com/show/ben-fogle-new-lives-in-the-wild/season-13/wales

I just googled them and it turns out their neighbours, who they never got along with, have bought the land with the lane that allows them to access their property from and are now accusing them of trespassing.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/family-fear-being-blocked-home-29050206

Obviously, this is Wales and not England, but the principle remains: you buy a plot of land and you always have to deal with other landholders and local councils constantly changing goalposts.

After living in the countryside for several years, I have to say, they're a 'special' kind of folk. In that, I mean, they want the land for what they want and anyone coming in from outside who has different ideas, plans or ways of living is seen as some sort of alien entity. It's a sort of 'it's always the way things have been done and of course things shouldn't change' mentality.

Apologies for any countryside dwelling folk who are of a different mindset! Perhaps it's just my particular part of the country (deep farming country).

Saving up for a pre-existing smallholding feels like a safer plan, imo. And of course you have to live there if you want to keep animals.

I am only eat chicken so I was planning on having Chickens for eggs/meat and a few goats for milk. I would like to produce as much of my own veggies etc as possible but I know my limitations. I have a degree in horticulture and an allotment so I think these skills will definitely help, but there will certainly be gaps in my knowledge so the online courses are a great idea.

There are some really helpful links and info included above, many thanks! I will take a look at them now. I think you are right a house with land would be much more sensible. I think I need to think of this as a longer term goal, its not something I will be able to afford right now but maybe in 10 years. I am located in the SW(stupidly expensive area of the country). My parents are in Portishead so I need to remain commutable to them for helping out as they get older.

Thank you for putting things into perspective for me. Its good to set expectations realistically and this is something I can continue to work towards :)

Having read a few other threads with similar questions, it seems that what I want is a house with a large garden or some land where I can grow veg and keep chickens. I think I am using words that give off bigger aspirations than mine.
I have my allotment now which I love and keeps me stocked up with fruits and veggies pretty well throughout the year. I preserve/can and freeze leftovers which mean I have a supply all year round, but I would like more space to upscale this - maybe a polly tunnel instead of my small greenhouse and just space to grow more. And then space for chickens- I haven't ever kept my own as my garden is too small but most of my friends do and I have some experience with helping them and looking after them when they are on holiday.
As mentioned a goat or 2 would be nice but not a necessity- I have just always loved them.

I feel like this has given me a renewed focus. As previously said its not something I could afford to do right now but I can work towards it.

Would joining a community (commune) be an option for you? The SW has a few. The Totnes area is known for them, but there must be some around Bristol and NE Somerset.

That makes sense op.

Happy to discuss further if you want. We are Tennant farmers in rural Scotland so it ain't easy.

Goats I love, as does my mother in law. We have always had them for milk and send lots to local people to help with skin issues.

They are a total law unto themselves though, and no boundaries shall hold.

Back to the one acre, you probably could have two on that, but then when you take off bits to have veg, rest grass, have shelter, your house, chickens, the space reduces fast.

Chickens have always been our easy egg produce but again, with bird flu lately and the disruption to them suddenly being kept in has meant huge expense.