Kivells – The South West’s Premier Auctioneers for Farms, Land, Rural Property, Coastal Homes, Livestock, Machinery & Commercial Assets. kivells.co
—kivells.com
Kivells is one of Devon and Cornwall’s most powerful rural auction houses, founded in 1885, with deep roots across North Devon, Mid Devon, Cornwall, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the wider South West peninsula. They are one of the few UK auctioneers operating full?scale livestock markets, rural property auctions, land sales, farm dispersal auctions, machinery auctions, commercial auctions and professional rural consultancy under one brand.
For you in Greenhithe, Kent, Kivells is highly relevant because they frequently offer coastal cottages, rural homes, farms, barns, equestrian land, development plots and agricultural assets—categories that attract national investors seeking lifestyle, yield or long?term land value outside the South East. Their South West coastal stock is particularly attractive to London and Kent buyers.
A. What Makes Kivells Distinctive
- South West Rural Auction Authority They dominate the Devon–Cornwall rural and coastal corridor, giving them unmatched insight into agricultural and lifestyle buyer behaviour.
- Full Multi?Disciplinary Auction Capability They run:
- property auctions
- land auctions
- farm dispersal sales
- machinery auctions
- livestock markets
- commercial auctions
- Strong Coastal & Rural Presence Particularly active in Bude, Holsworthy, Launceston, Liskeard, Exeter, Tavistock and Barnstaple.
- Trusted by Farming Families & Estates 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.
- Livestock Markets at the Heart of the Community Their Holsworthy and Exeter livestock markets are major agricultural hubs.
B. Two Unique Dimensions
1. Devon–Cornwall Rural Buyer Behaviour
The Kivells footprint covers areas such as:
- Holsworthy
- Launceston
- Bude
- Liskeard
- Tavistock
- Okehampton
- Barnstaple
These regions attract:
- farmers expanding holdings
- equestrian buyers seeking paddocks
- rural relocators seeking cottages
- developers targeting barns
- land investors seeking long?term value
Auction trends include:
- competitive bidding for small land parcels
- strong interest in barns with conversion potential
- demand for rural homes with outbuildings
- uplift potential in edge?of?village plots
2. South West Coastal Market Dynamics
Areas such as Bude, Widemouth Bay, Tintagel, Boscastle, Looe and Polperro create unique auction behaviour:
- demand for coastal cottages and holiday?let potential homes
- interest in rural homes near the coast
- strong appetite for development plots
- competitive bidding for mixed?use coastal buildings
Their catalogues often include coastal terraces, rural cottages, land parcels and commercial coastal units.
C. Regional Coverage
Core Markets
- Holsworthy
- Launceston
- Bude
- Liskeard
- Exeter
Secondary Markets
- Tavistock
- Okehampton
- Barnstaple
- Wadebridge
- Bodmin
Extended Reach
- North Devon
- Mid Devon
- Cornwall
- Dartmoor
- Exmoor
Kivells is widely recognised as the auction authority for Devon and Cornwall’s rural and coastal regions.
D. Typical Auction Stock
Property Auctions
- Rural cottages & village homes
- Terraced and semi?detached houses
- Detached homes and bungalows
- Coastal cottages & holiday?let homes
- 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
Livestock & Machinery Auctions
- cattle & sheep
- tractors
- farm machinery
- plant & equipment
- vehicles & trailers
- tools & agricultural items
This dual capability makes them a central hub for farmers, rural businesses and estates.
E. Auction Format & Buyer Experience
Kivells operates a traditional rural auction format, offering:
- in?room bidding
- on?farm auctions
- phone & proxy bidding
- online bidding options
- immediate exchange on hammer fall
- typical 28?day completion
- legal packs prepared in advance
Their auctions include detailed information on:
- access rights
- covenants
- boundaries
- agricultural restrictions
- planning considerations
F. Finance & Risk Considerations
Finance Routes
- agricultural finance
- rural mortgages
- bridging finance
- development finance
- equestrian?specific lending
Key Risk Themes
- agricultural covenants
- access rights & easements
- planning sensitivity for barns
- structural issues in older rural buildings
- boundary clarity
- environmental designations (AONB, coastal zones)
Investors typically balance uplift potential, rural viability, equestrian suitability and long?term land value.
G. Who Kivells Auctions Are Best For
- farmers expanding holdings
- rural buyers seeking cottages or barns
- equestrian buyers
- developers targeting barn conversions
- land investors
- smallholders
- machinery buyers & traders
- portfolio investors seeking rural diversification
- London & Kent buyers seeking coastal lifestyle homes
H. How to Buy Through Kivells
- Visit the official website: kivells.co
- 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 hammer fall
- Complete within ~28 days
I. Contact Details
Kivells – Chartered Surveyors, Rural Consultants & Auctioneers Website: kivells.co Email: info@kivells.com Phone: 01409 253888 Head Office: Holsworthy Livestock Market, New Market Road, Holsworthy, Devon, EX22 7FA
J. FAQs
Do Kivells run property auctions?
Yes — specialising in rural, coastal and agricultural property.
Do they run livestock auctions?
Yes — they operate major livestock markets in Devon and Cornwall.
Which regions do they cover?
Primarily Devon, Cornwall, Dartmoor, Exmoor and the South West peninsula.
Are their auctions suitable for rural buyers?
Absolutely — they specialise in farmland, barns, paddocks, rural cottages and coastal homes.
