Our work in the countryside at Godolphin
- Published:
- 21 October 2025
Behind the scenes at Godolphin, the countryside team work year-round to protect the landscape and restore nature. From managing summer bracken to planting trees, building partnerships and conducting wildlife surveys, every action is rooted in care for the land, its rich history, and its future.
Farming that supports nature
Much of what’s thriving here today is thanks to the work of our tenant farmer, Mark, who we work closely with. His deep connection to the land and commitment to wildlife-friendly farming plays a vital role in shaping the landscape, supporting habitats, protecting soil health, and ensuring the land is both productive and wildlife-friendly.
Wide grassy margins around each field are left for nature, creating vital habitat for insects which are essential food for birds and bats. These margins also help protect the soil and reduce the need for chemical inputs, supporting a healthier, more balanced ecosystem. Alongside these wild edges, mature hedgerows form a network of species-rich corridors. Birds like linnets, jays and wrens nest and forage here, butterflies find nectar-rich plants and bats benefit from the abundance of insects these habitats support.
Many of the crops grown at Godolphin feed livestock over winter, with some entering our own food chain. It’s all part of a nature-first approach to farming, supporting healthy soil, thriving meadows and wildlife at every turn.
A sanctuary for wildlife
Godolphin is a haven for birds, bats and butterflies thanks to its mosaic of woodland, heathland and organic farmland. Bat surveys have been carried out here since 2008, revealing a remarkable diversity, including rare species like the Greater and Lesser Horseshoe and the elusive Barbastelle. These bats thrive because the land is managed with them in mind: hay meadows for feeding, hedgerows for navigation, and quiet spaces for roosting.
In spring 2025, for the first time in recent memory, choughs were seen feeding on Godolphin Hill. Typically found along Cornwall’s rugged coastline, in recent years they’ve been venturing further inland thanks to improved habitat conditions and careful land management. Their visit is a reminder of the richness of the habitat at Godolphin & a strong indicator that nature is responding to the way the land is being cared for.
Dogs of Godolphin
This project celebrates our canine visitors and explores how we’re improving the experience for everyone, whether they visit with a dog or not. We’ve teamed up with local dog trainer Vicki Main from Love Your Paws to better understand how dogs and their humans enjoy the countryside at Godolphin.
With over 500 acres of wildlife-rich farmland, woodland and open countryside, Godolphin is a place where nature thrives and where every visitor can help protect it. By visiting responsibly with your dog you help set the tone for others, showing that thoughtful dog walking can support nesting birds, grazing livestock and fragile habitats by putting nature first in every step.
Your insights shape how we care for this special place & we’d love for you to join the conversation.