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Project

Hinton Ampner: Reimagining a Hampshire Estate

Open meadows with a tree-lined horizon and blue sky at Hinton Ampner, Hampshire
The project will create a larger and more diverse estate to explore | © National Trust

The Hinton Ampner: Reimagining a Hampshire Estate project is a long-term commitment to transforming this historic National Trust estate into a more vibrant, accessible and sustainable place where people and nature can thrive.

The main aims of the project are: 

  • Nature recovery and conservation: creating diverse new habitats so wildlife can thrive
  • Regenerative farming: more environmentally friendly and sustainable practices
  • Better access to nature: larger, more varied green space with improved access
  • Involving people: volunteer opportunities, community projects and visitor engagement
  • Responding to climate change: increased carbon capture and resistance to extreme weather

The work so far

Back in 2021, we began converting 27 hectares of farmland into wood pasture, grassland and tree plantations. We also appointed our farming partner to help us care for our farmland using soil and nature soil friendly, regenerative techniques.  The outcomes are apparent in a greater variety of wildflowers and larger areas of grassland for our cattle. We have also established a home herd of rare breed Sussex cattle.  The cattle are natural custodians of our parkland who thrive in the outdoor conditions of the South Downs landscape.

In 2024, our focus fell upon woodland creation and tree planting.  We have welcomed numerous community groups and families to join us in planting 34,000 new trees including oak, field maple, crab apple and holly.  In addition to creating the new woodland, our volunteers regularly survey the impact of our work – discoveries have been made including the presence of number of barn owls, angle shades caterpillars, wasp spiders and woodlark. 

Regenerative practices are now in place to improve the soil in the fields where farming will continue and our appointed our farming partner will help us to care for our farmland using soil and nature soil friendly, regenerative techniques.

If you wish to get involved in future tree planting days, please email us: hintoncountryside@nationaltrust.org.uk  We intend to run future tree planting days from Autumn 2025.

Herbal ley in flower on farmland at Hinton Ampner National Trust
Herbal ley in flower on farmland at Hinton Ampner | © Lee Hulin

June 2025

Latest update

Growing Woodlands

Preserving Ralph Dutton’s vision

Ralph Stawell Dutton, the 8th Lord Sherborne, was an author, historian and collector, as well as a great supporter of the National Trust. He inherited Hinton Ampner in 1935 and left the entire estate to the Trust on his death in 1985.

Dutton was responsible for expanding the estate and using landscaping and planting to enhance the stunning views from the house over the South Downs National Park.

As the 'Reimagining' project continues, there will be a steady change to the landscape. But 300 new trees planted in the parkland will continue Dutton’s tradition of creating small copses to soften boundaries and give structure and symmetry to these magnificent views.

Hinton Ampner has a vision of creating something really quite special for people and wildlife in the South Downs National Park.

A quote by Nick HeasmanSouth Downs National Park Authority

Main aims of the 'Reimagining' project

The project has five main aims, each complementing and supporting the others. Click through to find out more about some of these key areas.

Nature recovery and conservation
Helping nature at Hinton to recover and thrive is central to the project. By planting thousands of trees, extending hedgerows and reclaiming chalk grasslands, we’ll create habitats to support a rich diversity of insects, plants and animals. We’ll track the impact this is having with regular wildlife surveys.Find out more
Regenerative farming
By restricting the use of chemicals and following regenerative farming practices, we’ll improve soil quality and reduce the impact on the wider environment. Fruit trees, wild borders in the fields and grazing by native-breed cattle will create new wildlife habitats. And our farming partner will focus on environmental rather than commercial targets.Find out more
Better access to nature for everyone
Following the retirement of Hinton's tenant farmer, we’ll use some of this land to expand the area of green space where visitors can roam, and create a richer and more varied landscape. A new circular trail, fewer fences and gates, and improved and extended paths will make nature accessible to everyone.Find out more
Involving the community and visitors
We want visitors and the local community to feel part of this project. That’s why we’ll be looking for volunteers to get involved in activities like planting trees and monitoring wildlife. We’ll also help people to connect with where their food comes from, and engage with this reciprocal relationship with the land.Find out more
Responding to climate change
Planting new woodland and hedgerows and returning commercial farmland to parkland will all help to increase the amount of carbon captured from the air. Regenerative farming practices will lock even more carbon into the soil and make the land more resilient to climate change, including by reducing the risk of flooding.

Hinton Ampner in the years to come

These artist's impressions of the skies over Hinton give an idea of the types and variety of species you might expect to see here now and as the nature conservation and sustainability aspects of the project take effect. 

Artwork with birds, bats and insects flying over farmland and countryside
The landscape and wildlife of Hinton Ampner before the Reimagining project | © National Trust / Jeroen Helmer

Hinton Ampner 2023

A view of the Hinton Ampner landscape at the start of the project, and the range of wildlife in the skies above. As work continues, new and recovering habitats will help to boost both the variety of species and their numbers.

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Timeline of work so far

June 2025

Growing Woodlands

Helping our trees through the dry weather, we have been switching up the woodchip mulch by experimenting with sheep’s fleece. This is sourced locally, and the process involves pinning it down with pegs made from our broken tree stakes, using up a product that might otherwise have gone to waste. The trees themselves are showing great signs of success - many filling their shelters with green leaves and some self-coppicing after the main stem has died, which shows how hardy our native species are! In our pre-existing woodland, our wildlife surveyors have recorded a Silver-washed Fritillary butterfly after not seeing one for several years, which is a great sign for the success of the project.

Sheep’s fleece mulch on young trees
Sheep’s fleece mulch on young trees | © Casper Rocher

Frequently asked questions

View of The Langdale Pikes showing hills and blue skies and white clouds seen from Great Langdale Campsite, Cumbria

Nature conservation

From ancient trees to bees and butterflies, our places are full of life. We're working hard to safeguard nature for years to come.

Our partners

South Downs National Park Authority

The South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) is responsible for keeping the South Downs a special place. The SDNPA is also the planning authority for the National Park.

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Natural England

Natural England is the government’s adviser for the natural environment in England. They help to protect and restore our natural world.

Visit website 

Forestry Commission

The Forestry Commission is the government department responsible for protecting, expanding and promoting the sustainable management of woodlands.

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