Wildlife
Crossing the stream
© Jim Elliott
A lost garden
At Fyne Court we're encouraging wildlife to flourish. Fyne Court was built as an Arcadian landscape park, a very fashionable design in the 17th and 18th centuries. Over time the garden became wilder, as family money disappeared.
We were gifted the estate in 1967. Since October 2009, after 35 years of caring for Fyne Court, we've been taking the management back in hand.
We won't be reinstating the Arcadian garden. We love the fact that Fyne Court is a place where children can climb trees and build dens, which they can come back to and keep using. And it's a rich habitat for many plants and animals.
Tremendous trees
The large veteran trees at Fyne Court were mainly planted as part of the designed landscape.
As well as providing grandeur, they're also home to insects, bats, birds and fungi.
And they're also a lot of fun to climb.
Birds
A robin at Fyne Court
© Dennis Harker
During the spring, listen for the drumming of the great spotted woodpecker and the coarse ‘cawing’ of rooks in the rookery. By April and May, Fyne Court echoes with a beautiful chorus of birdsong.
You can also spot more common birds, including blue tits and robins. Keep your eyes peeled for a chiffchaff, moorhens by the pond and the tiny wren.
Highland cattle
We work closely with a local farmer, using Highland cattle to graze the fields around Fyne Court.
As well as looking adorable they're essential for keeping the grass in the best condition for wildlife.
Snowdrops
Fyne Court is a fantastic place to be in February. Large patches of the estate are covered in a beautiful blanket of white snowdrops.
Bluebells
Come for the bluebells in May. Follow the red trail to see the best displays, as the ground turns blue and we welcome in the bluebell season.