He has been the well-known face of Wirral’s award-winning visitor attraction, Church Farm, for over 24 years but now Steve Ledsham is preparing to hand over to a new owner.
The 60 acre site, which boasts dozens of animals, a farm shop and cafe, adventure playground, pedal go-cart area, mini-golf, lavender maze and indoor beach, has been put on the market for £2.25million.
It is a bitter sweet time for Steve, 67, a former divisional commander with Merseyside Fire Service, who knew nothing about farming when he bought the Thurstaston farm back in 1992.
He said: “They have been very happy times here for me and my family, who have all worked on the farm too.
“I remember the first day I came here and I walked up the hill and saw the view and knew it was a special place.
“I did everything I could to move here, I sold everything I had and went into tremendous debt but I don’t regret any of it. I have been a very, very lucky guy to be the custodian of this place but now it’s time to hand it on to someone else.”
Steve was a fireman for 20 years but was forced into a career change after suffering a back injury. Previously, his only experience of farming was growing vegetables in his back garden.
He taught himself to farm as he went and eventually converted the former working farm into a well-established visitor attraction.
Steve and his family, who have all worked alongside him on the farm, created a lucrative sideline selling Christmas trees and also launched a series of popular events, including their magical Santa experience, Easter Egg hunts and Halloween pumpkin picking.
Despite the impending sale, Steve and his team are continuing to innovate with the recent addition of a family of pygmy goats, large Ostrich-like birds called Rheas as well as piloting a family, overnight bushcraft course.
Steve added: “I may be selling up but Church Farm remains very much open for business. We have lots of exciting events in the pipeline and I believe this Summer is going to be our best ever.
“So many local families, including my own, have such fond memories of growing up and visiting Church Farm and I am confident that whoever I sell to will continue that legacy as well.”
Richard Prestwich, associate director of leisure and trading at Savills, which is marketing the business, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire a well-established business that is generating income from multiple sources.
“The picturesque location of this substantial property, with it’s excellent views over the Dee Estuary, further adds to the attraction of this asset and we are expecting the sale to generate a high amount of interest.”
For more information, visit www.churchfarm.org.uk
