Historic estate increases water storage to save thousands of litres of rainwater a year and help Walled Garden thrive in changing climate
- Published:
- 06 November 2026
Following a successful application for the Water Efficiency Cambridgeshire Fund (the weCB Fund), Wimpole Estate is able to boost existing rainwater capture in the Walled Garden by 15 cubic metres. The increased water storage capacity will help Wimpole save at least 26m3. of mains water annually, an average of 71 litres per day. Together with other water-saving and drought-preparation projects in the Walled Garden, Wimpole Estate hopes this installation will inspire visitors to reduce water consumption in their own gardens.
A rainwater-capture capacity of 5,000 litres was integrated into the Walled Garden Glasshouse when it was built in 2015, but pressure from repeated droughts has necessitated expansion. Following a successful application for the inaugural Water Efficiency Cambridgeshire Fund (weCB Fund), the grant has been used to purchase fifteen 1m3 storage tanks, plus the related pumping, sterilisation and monitoring systems that will enable safe and efficient water capture and usage.
Linked to the original rainwater harvesting system, the new storage will save at least 26,000 litres of mains water annually. This will help ensure that the Walled Garden’s flower and produce beds can be watered during low rainfall months.
Ciaran Taylor, Head Gardener for Wimpole Estate, said
"Thanks to the grant from weCB Fund, the enhanced water source will allow us to continue our drive for water efficiency, even in the dry seasons. The garden and volunteer teams will draw on this as needed, and with the new monitoring systems we can continually track usage, replenishment, and safety of the supply.”
In addition to this increased capacity, the team at Wimpole is exploring ways to make the gardens more resilient through Hügelkultur raised-bed allotments, drought-resistant border planting, and the introduction of hardy tree species.
Through signage and garden tours, Wimpole hopes to inspire visitors to consider how they too can adapt to the challenges of a changing climate through their own water capture initiatives and take fresh approaches to border planting and soil management.
As climate change places increasing pressure on wildlife and landscapes, the National Trust believes nature recovery must be at the heart of the UK's response. The charity is calling on Government to make climate resilience a national mission, led at Cabinet level, invest in nature as essential infrastructure, and provide greater support for fire and rescue services.