Howkins & Harrison – Warwickshire, Leicestershire & Northamptonshire’s Leading Auctioneers for Rural, Residential, Commercial & Land Property.
(Official site: howkinsandharrison.co.uk)
Howkins & Harrison is one of the Midlands’ most established rural and multi?disciplinary property firms, founded in 1888 and operating across Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the wider East Midlands countryside. Their auction service is known for farms, agricultural land, rural cottages, equestrian holdings, development land, commercial units, investment property and probate sales, making them a trusted route for farmers, developers, landlords, rural buyers, portfolio investors and homebuyers.
For you in Greenhithe, Kent, Howkins & Harrison is a key Midlands auction house worth tracking because they frequently offer high?yield rural assets, development plots, barns, equestrian land and commercial units that attract national investors. Their auctions blend traditional in?room bidding with modern online participation, creating a competitive, transparent environment.
What Makes Howkins & Harrison Distinctive
- Midlands Rural Auction Authority They dominate the Warwickshire–Leicestershire–Northamptonshire corridor, giving them unmatched insight into rural and agricultural buyer behaviour.
- Multi?Sector Auction Expertise They auction farmland, barns, rural homes, development land, commercial units, equestrian property and investment stock.
- Strong Agricultural & Equestrian Focus Their catalogues frequently include grazing land, paddocks, stables, barns, smallholdings and equestrian holdings.
- Trusted by Midlands Estates & Farming Families Their long history means they regularly handle estate disposals, probate sales, farm assets and rural holdings.
- Expertise in Rural Planning & Land Development They advise on barn conversions, agricultural restrictions, access rights, environmental schemes and development potential.
- Offices Across the Midlands Including Atherstone, Rugby, Daventry, Ashby?de?la?Zouch and Henley?in?Arden, ensuring strong regional coverage.
Two Unique Dimensions
1. Warwickshire–Leicestershire Rural Buyer Behaviour
The Atherstone–Rugby–Hinckley corridor attracts:
- farmers seeking land expansion
- rural buyers seeking cottages, barns and smallholdings
- developers targeting barns and rural plots
- equestrian buyers seeking paddocks and stables
- investors seeking land?based assets
Howkins & Harrison’s auctions often reveal:
- competitive bidding for land parcels under 10 acres
- strong interest in redundant farm buildings
- uplift potential in barn conversions
- demand for rural homes with outbuildings
2. East Midlands Development & Commercial Land Dynamics
Areas such as Rugby, Daventry, Hinckley, Nuneaton and Ashby?de?la?Zouch create unique auction behaviour:
- demand for strategic development land
- interest in commercial yards and rural workshops
- strong appetite for agricultural land with road frontage
- competitive bidding for amenity land and woodland
Their catalogues often include farmland, rural commercial units, barns and development plots, appealing to both farmers and developers.
Regional Coverage
Core Markets
- Atherstone
- Rugby
- Daventry
- Hinckley
- Ashby?de?la?Zouch
Secondary Markets
- Nuneaton
- Market Bosworth
- Lutterworth
- Towcester
- Henley?in?Arden
Extended Rural Reach
- Warwickshire villages
- Leicestershire countryside
- Northamptonshire rural belt
- West Midlands fringe
Howkins & Harrison is widely recognised as the rural auction authority for the Midlands.
Typical Auction Stock
Property Auctions
- Rural cottages & village homes
- Farmhouses & smallholdings
- Agricultural land (arable, pasture, mixed)
- Paddocks & equestrian land
- Barns & outbuildings
- Redundant farm buildings
- Woodland & amenity land
- Development land & infill plots
- Rural commercial units (workshops, yards)
- Mixed?use rural buildings
Commercial & Investment Auctions
- Shops
- Offices
- Industrial units
- Mixed?use buildings
- Tenanted investments
- Portfolio disposals
This breadth makes them a central hub for farmers, rural businesses, developers and investors.
Auction Format & Buyer Experience
Howkins & Harrison operates a traditional auction format, offering:
- in?room bidding
- phone & proxy bidding
- online bidding options
- immediate exchange on the fall of the hammer
- typical 28?day completion
- legal packs prepared in advance
- clear, transparent bidding environment
Their auctions are tailored to rural buyers, with detailed information on:
- access rights
- covenants
- boundaries
- agricultural restrictions
- planning considerations
Finance & Risk Considerations
Finance Routes
- Agricultural finance
- Rural mortgages
- Bridging finance
- Development finance
- Residential mortgages (for cottages & homes)
- Equestrian?specific lending
Lender Considerations
- agricultural covenants
- access rights & easements
- planning status for barns & land
- construction type of rural buildings
- environmental designations (AONB, conservation areas)
Key Risk Themes
- boundary clarity
- restrictive covenants
- planning sensitivity in rural zones
- structural issues in older farm buildings
- equestrian infrastructure condition
- environmental constraints
Investors typically balance uplift potential, rural viability, equestrian suitability and long?term land value.
Who Howkins & Harrison Auctions Are Best For
- Farmers seeking land expansion
- Rural buyers seeking cottages, barns or paddocks
- Lifestyle relocators seeking country homes
- Smallholding buyers
- Developers targeting barns & rural plots
- Commercial rural buyers
- Investors seeking land?based assets
- Portfolio buyers acquiring multiple rural holdings
How to Buy Through Howkins & Harrison
- Visit the official website: howkinsandharrison.co.uk
- Access the latest auction catalogue
- Download and review legal packs
- Arrange rural/agricultural finance
- Register to bid
- Attend the auction (in?room or online)
- Exchange immediately on the fall of the hammer
- Complete within ~28 days
Contact Details
Howkins & Harrison – Chartered Surveyors, Rural Consultants & Auctioneers Website: howkinsandharrison.co.uk Email: info@howkinsandharrison.co.uk Phone: 01827 718021 Address: 7 Church Street, Atherstone, Warwickshire, CV9 1HA
FAQs
Do Howkins & Harrison run property auctions?
Yes — they auction residential, rural and commercial property, plus development land.
Do they specialise in rural and agricultural assets?
Yes — especially farmland, barns, equestrian land and rural cottages.
Which regions do they cover?
Primarily Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and the wider Midlands.
Are their auctions suitable for rural buyers?
Absolutely — they specialise in farmland, barns, paddocks, rural cottages and country homes.
