Our work at Southwood Estate

Folkeston’s hedges provide the perfect conditions for many farmland bird species to thrive, including one of Pembrokeshire’s largest remaining yellowhammer populations. Investing in infrastructure, such as fencing and gates, enables us to protect and enhance the network of large hedgerows across the farm, which provide crucial nesting and foraging habitat for these species, as well as creating corridors for wildlife to expand into other parts of the Southwood Estate and neighbouring farmland.

Habitat restoration

Over the centuries, agricultural improvements were made on the Southwood Estate to increase productivity. We want to provide more space for nature, so our focus since taking on the farm has been to manage the land differently.

One of our biggest achievements has been reintroducing over half a mile of traditional Pembrokeshire hedgebanks around the farm, aided by funding from the SITA Trust. Restoring this lost habitat has been invaluable for wildlife, and we’ve since seen the return of farmland birds, bats using the site for roosting, insects aplenty and burrowing animals enjoying the earthy banks.

The vegetation is also richer, with species including pennywort, foxglove, hawthorn and red campion now visible in the network of hedges.

Conservation grazing

We’re helping to continue a centuries old farming tradition with our grazing animals, who enjoy a natural grass-based diet from heathland areas while keeping the habitat in good condition.

Without regular grazing, heathland quickly becomes overgrown at the expense of its iconic heathers, flowering plants, insects and birds. Livestock keep the competitive scrub and grasses in check, maintaining open vegetation that is richer for nature.

That’s why you won’t always see our beautiful Welsh Black cattle and Welsh Mountain ponies here at Southwood Farm, as they’re usually out and about grazing our heathland clifftops and commons between St David’s and Fishguard.

Our herd

Both Welsh Black cattle and Welsh Mountain ponies are known for their hardiness, versatility with all kinds of terrain, self-reliance and placid temperaments. As such, the native breeds are well-suited to our conservation grazing needs.

Our livestock ranger takes care of the herds and to ensure even grazing on heathland across north Pembrokeshire. On average, the cattle and ponies cover 100 hectares of land each year.

Meadows and pastures

We are also working to improve other habitats on the farms, including the wildflower meadows, marshy grassland known as rhos pasture and spring cereal crops.

Fences, gates and water supplies enable us to massively increase the area of land that we can ‘shut up’ for hay or carry out deferred grazing with cattle each year. This has direct benefits for the botanically rich grasslands and rare insects they support, and help us to maintain the coastal bluebell meadows.

The power of teamwork

Teamwork has made our land management plan possible, with our rangers, volunteer conservation assistants and working holiday groups dedicating their time to deliver for nature.

We want visitors to be able to see our nature-first approach for themselves and enjoy the very best of Southwood’s landscape. That’s why we’ve also opened up a series of public walking trails; choose from a three-and-a-half-mile coastal route or a leisurely one-mile walk.

Preserving Southwood’s past and safeguarding its future

Preserving Southwood’s past is important to us, but so is safeguarding its future. Your support – whether a visit, a membership or car park donation – means we can continue our vital conservation work and ensure this special place is enjoyed for generations to come.

Thank you

With your ongoing support, we're able to continue our vital conservation work. Thank you for helping to protect these special places.