Agriculture Business Ideas You Can Start in the UK

112 ideas

This page brings together 112 agriculture business ideas, from low-key land-based side projects to full-time rural enterprises. Some, like a small seasonal pumpkin patch or a small orchard selling direct to local customers, can begin on a modest plot and grow as you learn what sells.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
A beekeeper in a protective veil lifts a honeycomb frame from a hive.

Small-scale local honey producer

Keep a handful of hives and sell jars of local honey at markets, to neighbours and to local shops.

  • £600-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,696 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
A beekeeper in a protective veil lifts a honeycomb frame from a hive.

Honey farm with hives across local sites

Run dozens of hives on farmland sites, with your own honey brand sold to shops, online and at markets.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,696 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Families picking fresh berries from rows on a farm field.

Small pick-your-own fruit or veg plot

Grow strawberries, raspberries or veg on a few rented acres and let local families pick their own in season.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
562 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
Families picking fresh berries from rows on a farm field.

Pick-your-own farm with a farm shop

Run a larger pick-your-own site with several crops, a small farm shop and a team of seasonal helpers.

  • £20k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
562 UK companies in this field, 18% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of potted shrubs and seedlings growing in a plant nursery.

Home plant nursery selling online and locally

Grow perennials, herbs or veg plants in your garden and sell them through online listings, gate sales and local plant fairs.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
858 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
A farrier fits a hot horseshoe to a horse's hoof at a forge.

Mobile farrier shoeing at the yard

Shape and fit horseshoes at livery yards and paddocks, working from a forge in your van.

  • £4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
A farrier fits a hot horseshoe to a horse's hoof at a forge.

Forge workshop making custom horseshoes

Hand-make specialist and corrective shoes in your own forge for farriers, vets and owners.

  • £3k-12k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Bonsai trees displayed on benches in a nursery greenhouse.

Bonsai grower supplying garden centres

Run a small nursery growing bonsai and supplies for garden centres, gift shops and trade buyers.

  • £5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
858 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Small Christmas tree farm

Grow Christmas trees on a few rented acres and sell them direct to local families each December.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,780 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of young evergreen trees growing on a tree farm field.

Native tree and hedging grower

Grow native trees and hedging plants on a small plot and sell to landscapers, farms and planting projects.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
2,780 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
A young foal stands beside its mother in a green horse paddock.

Small-scale horse or pony breeder

Breed one to three mares a year on your own land and sell foals or youngsters to riders.

  • £5k-25k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
2,434 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
A young foal stands beside its mother in a green horse paddock.

Full-time stud breeding and producing youngsters

Run a small stud with several mares, raise and start youngsters, and sell them on to riders.

  • £30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,434 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Stacked irrigation pipes, pumps and fittings in a farm supply warehouse.

Online irrigation kit shop

Sell drip lines, timers and watering kits online to gardeners, allotment holders and polytunnel growers.

  • £2k-10k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
1,792 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years
Stacked irrigation pipes, pumps and fittings in a farm supply warehouse.

Local irrigation supply unit for growers

Stock pipe, pumps, sprinklers and drip kit from a small unit for farms, nurseries and landscapers.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,792 UK companies in this field, 23% registered in the last 2 years
Cattle grazing on a wide green pasture under an open sky.

Small sheep flock on rented grazing

Rent a few fields, keep a flock of breeding ewes and sell lambs to a market, a processor or direct.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
1,036 UK companies in this field, 9% registered in the last 2 years
Cattle grazing on a wide green pasture under an open sky.

Beef cattle on rented land

Buy young cattle, graze and finish them on rented land, then sell to markets or processors.

  • £10k-50k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
1,036 UK companies in this field, 9% registered in the last 2 years
Workers harvesting ripe grapes between rows of vines in a vineyard.

Small grape-growing plot for wineries

Plant a few acres of vines and sell the grapes to established English wineries.

  • £15k-70k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
271 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Workers harvesting ripe grapes between rows of vines in a vineyard.

Small estate vineyard with your own wine

Grow grapes, have them made into your own English wine, and sell direct to visitors, shops and restaurants.

  • £50k-250k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
271 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Farmer working among rows of organic vegetables in open fields.

Organic market garden with veg boxes

Grow organic vegetables on a few acres of rented land and sell through veg boxes, farm shops and restaurants.

  • £8k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,442 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Farmer working among rows of organic vegetables in open fields.

Small organic plot for salads and herbs

Start small on a rented plot or large garden, growing organic salad and herbs for local cafes, restaurants and neighbours.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
9,442 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Forestry worker cutting and managing trees in a woodland.

Woodland management contractor

Do thinning, felling and extraction work for woodland owners and estates with your own chainsaw kit and a small tractor or ATV.

  • £4k-20k
  • Full-time
  • Out and about
2,540 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Forestry worker cutting and managing trees in a woodland.

Tree planting and woodland upkeep

Plant trees, fit tree guards and clear weeds for landowners creating or restoring woodland, as a seasonal or part-time job.

  • £500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
2,540 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Working farm with crop fields and grazing animals under an open sky.

Small market garden selling direct

Grow vegetables on a rented acre or two and sell veg boxes, farm gate and market stall produce.

  • £3k-15k
  • Side hustle
  • Own premises
9,442 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years
Working farm with crop fields and grazing animals under an open sky.

Smallholding with eggs, meat and produce

Keep a small flock or herd on a few acres and sell eggs, meat and produce direct to local customers.

  • £5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
9,442 UK companies in this field, 17% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others, such as a small oyster or mussel farm or a full and part livery yard, need more capital, specialist knowledge and the right site. They suit people who enjoy outdoor work, can handle seasonal swings in income and are happy to plan well ahead. Before anything else, think about access to land, whether you would rent or own it, the animal welfare or food safety obligations involved, and how you will reach customers. Check what permissions your site and activity may need.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need my own land to start an agriculture business in the UK?

Not always. Some ideas can run on rented land, shared plots or a small unit, while others depend on owning or leasing a specific site. Check tenancy terms, permitted uses and whether the lease allows your planned activity before committing.

What should I check before keeping animals or selling food I have produced?

Look into animal registration, welfare and movement rules, plus food hygiene and labelling requirements for what you sell. Your local council and government guidance are good starting points. Requirements vary by animal, product and where you sell, so confirm what applies.

Can I start an agriculture business part-time alongside a job?

Often yes, especially with seasonal or small-scale ideas such as a pumpkin patch or small orchard. Consider how busy periods like harvest or animal care might clash with your working hours, and whether you can rely on help when needed.