Discover more at Great Chalfield Manor and Garden
Find out when Great Chalfield Manor and Garden is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Great Chalfield and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust
A groundbreaking partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust aims to transform farmland at Great Chalfield into a thriving hub for nature's recovery and regenerative farming.
In 2024 the National Trust purchased just over 80 acres of farmland surrounding Great Chalfield Manor. The aquisition was made possible thanks to a partnership with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust who are leasing the land, with the two charities working together to manage the land for nature's recovery. The partnership includes a collaboration with the Great Western Community Forest who supported the acquisition of the land and the planting of c11,000 trees.
The aim is to create a learning hub where farmers and landholders can learn how to develop a range of nature-based solutions, including the creation of species-rich grassland and hedgerows, wood pasture and ponds.
The project aims to show it's possible to balance the needs of nature, climate, and food production while creating a thriving and resilient landscape for future generations.
First steps have seen the team assess the land for baseline data to better understand the history, existing biodiversity and agricultural value. They've been testing soil, carrying out tree surveys and assessing grazing rotations.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust feature the project at Great Chalfield on their blog, read more about the birdsong surveys here: Tuning in to the land: the birdsong of great chalfield