Famous grouse moor sold for £5m

The Wemmergill Estate nestles in rural County Durham

A popular open-air playground for the rich and famous has been sold after 444 years of ownership by one family.

Wemmergill Moor in County Durham has been bought by entrepreneur Michael Cannon from the Earl of Strathmore in a £5.25m deal.

The sale marks the end of hundreds of years of ownership by the late Queen Mother's family, the Bowes-Lyons.

The North Pennines site - famed for its grouse shooting - includes 17,000 acres with six tenanted farms.

Mr Cannon, 65, leased the sporting rights on Wemmergill Moor in December 2003.

Rural industry

Since then he has invested about £3m in utility buildings, upgrading essential infrastructure and "keepers" houses and equipment for the management of the grouse moor.

Mr Cannon said: "Our aims for the future include the restoration of approximately 3,000 acres of important habitats that have become degraded over the years and we are working closely with all relevant parties to form a new way forward for Wemmergill.

"The purchase of Wemmergill Moor gives me the ability to liaise with the tenant farmers and their families to ensure that they have a secure future in agriculture.

"Grouse shooting in England is an important rural industry that benefits the local economy to the tune of £12.5m."

Wemmergill Moor forms part of the Lune Forest Site of Special Scientific Interest and is internationally important as a Special Area of Conservation for vegetation and a Special Protection Area for bird life.

It is also part of the North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.