Family favourite tourist attraction in UK is being sold for almost £5m
A FAMILY favourite tourist attraction in the UK is being sold for almost £5million.
Brogdale Farm, on the outskirts of Faversham, Kent, welcomes thousands of visitors every year.
Holidaymakers and staycationers flock to the sprawling 146-acre site to see the National Fruit Collection and Faversham Miniature Railway.
The farm, which hosts the annual Brogdale Cider Festival, is also home to The Courtyard Restaurant and Mad Cat Brewery.
But soon it will be home to many more businesses – as it’s been put up for sale with the potential for “significant further commercial development”.
However, fans of the farm don’t need to worry – as the visitor sectors will remain the same and there will be no residential developments.
Speaking to KentOnline, a spokesperson for estate agents George Webb Finn said: “There’s an outline planning application for more commercial units on the old reservoir but if it was ever going to go for housing, it would have done so.
“The borough council have been fairly clear about the short and medium term.
“I don’t think there’s any plan to grant any residential development in Brogdale.
“There’s good commercial interest, good rent – an income of £383,000 a year currently.
“Depending on the buyer, there’s potential for commercial and philanthropic pursuits.
“If anyone’s looking at it seriously they’ll be able to dissect the various elements and work out whether or not it’s good value for money.
“We feel it is – we’ve been quite conservative with our valuation.”
However, local residents are not convinced over the new plans.
One wrote: “Faversham is slowly losing its identity. Soon you will be able to go all the way through Kent without seeing any countryside at all.
“Although with all the extra cars you probably won’t be able to move at all…”
Another said: “More London overspill winging its way towards our shores.”
Brogdale is home to over 4000 varieties of fruit trees from apples, pears, quinces and plums to cherries and is open all year round.