Countryside Stewardship

The Estate entered over 200 acres of the traditional parkland into the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in 1995.  This parkland is managed to promote, encourage and nurture native species of wild flowers and grasses.  This is achieved through reduced fertiliser applications and reducing the number of grazing stock kept in the park as well, as controlling the operations undertaken on the grassland.

A large proportion of the parkland has also been given open public access and new linear footpaths created to enable the public to enjoy the beautiful parkland and surrounding scenery.

A programme of new tree planting has been undertaken and existing footpaths conditions improved.

The whole of the Estates in-hand farm has also been entered into the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme since 2005.  Wildlife friendly margins have been established around the majority of the arable fields as well as areas of seed, nectar and cover crops being grown to encourage wild birds.  Hedgerows are also managed in a way to prevent nesting birds being disturbed and encourage other hedgerow plant and animal species.

The Estate seeks to adopt management practices that are sympathetic to environmental and wildlife considerations wherever feasible.