Queen's agricultural investment reaches £19m

The Duchy of Lancaster, which manages the monarch's portfolio of land investments, has announced the purchase of 560 acres of land comprising Quadring Fen Farm in Lincolnshire as part of its strategy to increase agricultural land holdings. This brings the organisation’s investment to £19 million since the strategy was first implemented three years ago.

In 2010 the Duchy of Lancaster announced that an investment would be made in the acquisition of higher quality farmland to add to its existing estates in England and Wales. The intention being to acquire good quality farmland adjacent to or contiguous with the Duchy's existing land holdings, or the acquisition of a large enough block of land to be regarded as a new 'standalone' estate, for the preserve of the UK farming industry.

An initial investment by the Duchy was made in 2011 with the acquisition of 1,066 acres of land at Park Farm, Donington, South Lincolnshire. This was followed by a subsequent acquisition of 244 acres nearby at Drayton House Farm, Swineshead, in 2012. This latest addition to the portfolio, Quadring Fen Farm, brings the Duchy’s agricultural land holding in the area to 1,870 acres.

Philip Coles, the Duchy's Rural Surveyor of Lands, said: “All the land acquired comprises very good quality silt soils of Grade I and II character, and the total land holding acquired is capable of being farmed as one or in separate component parts. Further funds are available for investment in similar quality farmland in England and Wales.”

Founded in the 13th century, the Duchy of Lancaster is a private portfolio of land, property and assets held for the Sovereign in Right of His or Her Duchy of Lancaster. Today the Duchy of Lancaster is custodian of 18,700 hectares across England and Wales, including urban developments, historic buildings, farmland and areas of great natural beauty.