The history of farm ownership in Devon and Somerset is a transition from ancient, rigid feudal systems to a landscape defined by large family-owned estates, and more recently, a shift toward owner-occupation and modern environmental tenancies.
Because of their unique geography—moors, hills, and deep valleys—these counties often developed differently from the “open-field” systems found in central England.
1. The Medieval Foundation (1066–1500)
After the Norman Conquest, the Domesday Book (1086) recorded that most land in Devon and Somerset was held by “Tenants-in-Chief” (great lords and bishops) directly from the King.
- The Manorial System: Most farmers were “unfree” tenants (villeins or serfs) who worked the lord’s home farm (demesne) in exchange for small plots of their own.
- Early Enclosure: Unlike the vast open fields of the Midlands, much of Devon and Somerset was enclosed early. Small, irregular fields with high “Devon banks” (earth and stone hedges) were often created by individual farmers clearing the “waste” or forest (a process called assarting).
- Copyhold Tenure: By the late Middle Ages, serfdom faded. It was replaced by “copyhold,” where a tenant’s right to the land was recorded in the “copy” of the manorial court roll.
2. The Rise of the Great Estates (1500–1880)
From the Tudor period through the Victorian era, land became concentrated in the hands of powerful families like the Courtenays (Earls of Devon) and the Rolles.
- Life Leaseholds: A unique feature of the West Country was the “three-life lease.” A farmer would pay a large upfront “fine” to secure a farm for the duration of three named lives (usually himself, his wife, and a son). This gave families long-term stability without actual ownership.
- The 19th-Century Peak: By 1873, a tiny number of estates owned more than half of Devon. For example, the Rolle Estate alone covered over 55,000 acres. Most farmers were tenants, paying annual rents to these “Squires.”
3. The 20th Century: The Great Shift
The early 1900s saw the decline of the traditional landed estate due to high inheritance taxes (Death Duties) and the agricultural depression.
- Break-up of Estates: After World War I and World War II, many large landowners sold their farms. Sitting tenants were often given the first chance to buy, leading to a massive rise in owner-occupation.
- County Farms: To help young people enter the industry, Devon and Somerset County Councils established County Farm Estates (starting around 1908). These provided smallholdings for new starters to rent at affordable rates—a system that still exists today, though it has shrunk in size.
4. Modern Tenancies (1995–Present)
Today, the relationship between owning and renting has shifted again:
- FBTs (Farm Business Tenancies): Since 1995, most new rentals are “Farm Business Tenancies.” These are shorter and more flexible than the old “lifetime” tenancies, often lasting only 5 to 10 years.
- Environmental Shifts: Many modern tenancies in Somerset (especially on the Levels) and Devon (near Dartmoor/Exmoor) now include “natural capital” clauses, where tenants are paid or required to manage the land for wildlife and flood prevention rather than just food production.
Summary of Tenancy Types
| Era | Typical Tenure | Key Feature |
| Medieval | Villeinage / Customary | Labor provided in exchange for land. |
| 16th–18th C | Copyhold / Life Leases | Tenure based on the lives of three people. |
| Victorian | Annual Tenancy | Cash rent paid to a “Great Estate” landlord. |
| Modern | Owner-Occupier / FBT | Most farmers now own their land or rent on short-term contracts. |