An "outstanding" Breckland farm valued at £17m is the largest to hit the market in the East of England this year, said sales agents.

St John's Farm in Beachamwell, near Swaffham, is described by Savills as "a very special place indeed", with 1,300 acres of productive arable land and an "extensive irrigation system".

At its heart is the six-bedroom St John’s Farmhouse, built in the mid-1800s with southerly views over the land and the historic remains of St John’s Church.

Eastern Daily Press: St John's Farmhouse in Beachamwell, part of a farm being sold via Savills with a guide price of £17mSt John's Farmhouse in Beachamwell, part of a farm being sold via Savills with a guide price of £17m (Image: Graeme Taplin)

Two further residential buildings include a three-bedroom holiday cottage, and there are also traditional farm buildings and a stable yard with "development potential".

The agricultural operation includes a 2,000-tonne main grain store, two boreholes with abstraction licences, and a reservoir which can hold 113,562 cubic metres of irrigation water. There is also a purpose-built workshop and a seasonal farm shop.

Extensive woodlands, along with a network of hedges and tree belts, offer "significant amenity and sporting appeal", while bringing the estate's total area to 1,633.5 acres.

And there is a chance for the new buyer to generate conservation funding as there are currently no environmental stewardship schemes on the farm.

Eastern Daily Press: St John's Farm in Beachamwell, near Swaffham, is up for sale via Savills with a guide price of £17mSt John's Farm in Beachamwell, near Swaffham, is up for sale via Savills with a guide price of £17m (Image: Graeme Taplin)

Selling agent Christopher Miles leads the rural agency team for Savills in the East of England and is based in the firm’s Norfolk office.

He said the sale was likely to attract investors, farming buyers and those looking for conservation or environmental opportunities.

"St John’s Farm is the largest irrigated Breckland farm to come to the market in Norfolk for over 25 years and its quality is testament to the improvements and investment the owners have made over the years," he said.

"Not only is it a prime example of a first-class commercial farm capable of growing a wide range of high-value crops, but it also has a wonderful ‘family farm’ feel, with the farmhouse at its heart and considerable amenity and conservation appeal."