RENOWNED North Cumbrian family farm park The Gincase has been put up for sale.

With the picturesque Solway Coast as its backdrop, the established farm park, which attracts around 40,000 visitors every year, has been put on the market today (Fri) for an undisclosed sum.

Current owners of the popular farm park, based at Mawbray Hayrigg, near Silloth, husband and wife, John and Val Nattrass are looking to retire.

Marketed by Carlisle-based Edwin Thompson, The Gincase not only boasts the popular tea room and gift shop, but also offers family friendly indoor and outdoor play areas.

The family are also putting on the market their farmhouse, together with a range of agricultural buildings and farmland extending to around 57.08 hectares.

Rural surveyor for Edwin Thompson, Matthew Bell, told The Cumberland News that the sale was a 'rare opportunity' to buy a successful farm park with huge potential for expansion.

He added that the business would continue to operate as normal until it was sold.

Currently The Gincase employs nine staff, a mixture of full/part time.

The idea for The Gincase first took root in 2002 as John Nattrass was busy tending a herd of dairy cows at Mawbray Hayrigg.

As farmers across the county struggled to get back on their feet after the previous year's foot and mouth disease crisis, and amid ever-falling milk prices, Mr Nattrass decided it was time to diversify to make ends meet.

Initially Mrs Nattrass had said she would like to run a tearoom, so it was decided to redevelop a disused building on the farm, known as The Gincase.

They initially envisaged serving a few cups of tea and slices of cake, with a couple of rabbits outside for people to pet.

But after opening in 2004 the business took off and currently offers outdoor and indoor activities for both children and adults.

The farm's 16 paddocks are filled with animals that were kept on farms in times past and include goats, sheep, rabbits and guinea pigs, horses and parrots. Other actitivites include a large amount of outdoor play equipment and indoor, including soft play equipment.

"This is a highly profitable business, that attracts around 35,000 to 40,000 visitors each year. It has proved to be a very popular location for children's birthday parties as it has its own birthday party room," said Mr Bell.

"The Tea Room is also busy serving coffee, lunch, Sunday roasts, afternoon tea and is about to start Christmas lunch," added Mr Bell.

This unique property is available for sale private treaty as a whole or in four lots, comprising of the following; Lot 1; Gincase Farm Park – Farm Park, indoor and outdoor play areas, Tea Room, shop, farmhouse , modern buildings and land extending to approximately 8.63 hectares (21.32 acres); Lot 2; agricultural land extending to approximately 25.41 hectares (62.79 acres); Lot 3; agricultural land extending to approximately 15.84 hectares (39.14 acres); Lot 4; agricultural land extending to approximately 7.20 Hectares (17.79 acres).