Green Projects
Helen Hunt
Bird, plant and wildlife surveys

As part of our sustainable land management practices, we conduct baseline surveys and carefully monitor improvements in soil health, plant life, and wildlife diversity. Surveys across grasslands, woodlands, water bodies, and arable land are now well underway, helping us build a valuable dataset for the future.

A recent bird survey, carried out on the 5th and 6th of March, yielded encouraging results. A diverse selection of waterfowl was recorded, including teal, gadwall, mallard, snipe, moorhen, and little grebe. In the woodlands, red kites were observed nesting, while fieldfare and redwing thrushes—winter visitors to the UK—were noted both in the woods and on some grasslands. These birds were busily feeding, storing energy for their migration back to mainland Europe.

Bird, plant and wildlife surveys
News
Helen Hunt
Beecham Farmhouse is selected as an Airbnb Luxe ...

Airbnb Luxe is the luxury tier of Airbnb and is a curated selection of the world's most extraordinary properties that go beyond standard holiday rentals. They are thoroughly vetted luxury rentals with 5-star-everything. To achieve Airbnb Luxe status, the property must go through a detailed inspection process by a 3rd party evaluator who are looking for a cohesive, elevated design throughout the entire home, comfortable, inviting interior and exterior spaces and luxury amenities and an overall environment that are in pristine condition.

We are delighted with this accolade, which comes just over a year after we launched Stay at Alscot as a brand new business. There are two extraordinary properties within the Stay ay Alscot portfolio, Beecham Farmhouse and Locke’s Cottage.

For further details visit https://www.alscot.co.uk/stay

Beecham Farmhouse is selected as an Airbnb Luxe property.  
News, Green Projects
Helen Hunt
‘Counting on Net Gain’, September edition of ...

Earlier this year we were asked to contribute to The September edition of environmental SCIENTIST – the journal of the #InstitutionofEnvironmentalSciences(IES) – examines the evolving concept of ‘net gain’ in environmental policy frameworks, from both a UK and global perspective.

‘Counting on Net Gain’, September edition of environmental SCIENTIST
Green Projects
Helen Hunt
The Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming

For the first time in a generation, Alscot Estate has the opportunity to consider its long term land use strategy. This comes at a time where the agricultural transition in England, alongside a broader political agenda of tackling environmental crises, means that rural land management is now focused not only on quality food production, but also on environmental provision and social value.

As a result, Alscot’s ambition is to farm in a regenerative manner and from September 2024, we began farming regeneratively on “home farm” land.

The Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming
Education, Green Projects, News
Helen Hunt
Biodiversity Education Day

The year 6 students from The Croft Preparatory School ventured to the Estate again this week to take part in nature studies on the biodiversity land at Alscot. The children took part in orienteering, identifying native tree species, an invertebrates study and a wildlife and plant ID walk. We hope the activity day inspired the children to become a positive voice for nature in future, and based on their enthusiasm, even on a damp day, we have no doubt that they will.

Click HERE for the video

Biodiversity Education Day

Celebrating Success at the West Midlands Tourism Awards!

Celebrating Success at the West Midlands Tourism Awards!

It’s been a fittingly exciting English Tourism Week at Alscot.

On Tuesday 18th March, we had the privilege of attending the West Midlands Tourism Awards at Edgbaston Stadium, proudly representing Stay at Alscot in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category. These prestigious awards, run in association with Visit England and the Awards for Excellence, recognise businesses that meet high industry standards across all areas, including, product development, marketing, sustainability, systems, and more—culminating in an in-person assessment by an expert panel.

Bird, plant and wildlife surveys

Bird, plant and wildlife surveys

As part of our sustainable land management practices, we conduct baseline surveys and carefully monitor improvements in soil health, plant life, and wildlife diversity. Surveys across grasslands, woodlands, water bodies, and arable land are now well underway, helping us build a valuable dataset for the future.

A recent bird survey, carried out on the 5th and 6th of March, yielded encouraging results. A diverse selection of waterfowl was recorded, including teal, gadwall, mallard, snipe, moorhen, and little grebe. In the woodlands, red kites were observed nesting, while fieldfare and redwing thrushes—winter visitors to the UK—were noted both in the woods and on some grasslands. These birds were busily feeding, storing energy for their migration back to mainland Europe.

Beecham Farmhouse is selected as an Airbnb Luxe property.  

Beecham Farmhouse is selected as an Airbnb Luxe property.  

Airbnb Luxe is the luxury tier of Airbnb and is a curated selection of the world's most extraordinary properties that go beyond standard holiday rentals. They are thoroughly vetted luxury rentals with 5-star-everything. To achieve Airbnb Luxe status, the property must go through a detailed inspection process by a 3rd party evaluator who are looking for a cohesive, elevated design throughout the entire home, comfortable, inviting interior and exterior spaces and luxury amenities and an overall environment that are in pristine condition.

We are delighted with this accolade, which comes just over a year after we launched Stay at Alscot as a brand new business. There are two extraordinary properties within the Stay ay Alscot portfolio, Beecham Farmhouse and Locke’s Cottage.

For further details visit https://www.alscot.co.uk/stay

Alscot BNG Land Bird & Wildlife Survey February

Alscot BNG Land Bird & Wildlife Survey February

Wrapped up warm again, our resident bird and wildlife surveyor Tom, had to rely on his ears this morning (and his sense of humour) whilst on site identifying birds for the BTO register.

Despite the thick layered fog, it was a successful cold February morning, managing to register 23 species and spot a bright blue Kingfisher, a sienna-brown Red Kite and salmon pink Bull Finch, through the mist.

https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB49502452

Alscot BNG Land Bird & Wildlife Survey January

Alscot BNG Land Bird & Wildlife Survey January

So today we braved the cold and took a walk over the Alscot Biodiversity Net Gain Site. It’s such a beautiful and peaceful location, teeming with wildlife and looked stunning this cold and icy morning. Bird song was evident and Tom Genders, our wildlife expert, observed 31 species including the Hawfinch! Tom uploaded his findings to the BTO (bird tracker)  app. See the results

https://app.bto.org/birdtrack/pubcon/shared?subId=SUB49389489

Cricket Bat Willow Nursery

Cricket Bat Willow Nursery

February 2025 sees start of a new and interesting project for Alscot.
We are creating a cricket bat willow nursery bed using Tods that have been cut from mature cricket bat willow trees grown on the Estate.
The intention being to create a nursery bed that will provide the Estate with its own supply of Sets (young cricket bat willow trees) every 4 years, that can be planted across the Estate.
Once planted, these Sets will take around 15 years to reach maturity before being harvested for cricket bat clefts, where each tree will then be replaced with another Set grown from the nursery bed on the Estate.
We are in the first stage of the project, starting with 800 Tods, and intend to grow the nursery bed year on year.

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas!

Wishing You All A Very Merry Christmas!

The Alscot team would like to wish you all a very merry Christmas and are happy to share the seasonal cheer!

It’s been another busy and productive year on the Estate, and to help us embrace 2025 in a similar manner, we are very much looking forward to the festive break and recharging those enthusiastic smiles.

The office re-opens on Thursday 2nd January!

May we take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year!

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year

Coming just a little after our first anniversary — what a gift!

We are thrilled to be named as a finalist for the Self Catering Accommodation of the Year category in the 2025 West Midlands Tourism Awards

Stay at Alscot offers two excellent holiday homes exquisitely designed and maintained to the highest standard, offering the perfect combination of historic charm and modern elegance. Surrounded by picturesque countryside, you will enjoy stunning views and a sense of peace and tranquillity. Whether you are looking for a romantic break, a family holiday or a solo retreat or with friends, Alscot's holiday homes provide the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The awards celebrate the success and accomplishments of tourism business across the West Midlands region. It’s so exciting to have our properties recognised by professionals in an industry award that is held in partnership with VisitEngland

The Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming

The Estate Introduces Regenerative Farming

For the first time in a generation, Alscot Estate has the opportunity to consider its long term land use strategy. This comes at a time where the agricultural transition in England, alongside a broader political agenda of tackling environmental crises, means that rural land management is now focused not only on quality food production, but also on environmental provision and social value.

As a result, Alscot’s ambition is to farm in a regenerative manner and from September 2024, we began farming regeneratively on “home farm” land.

Art at Alscot

Art at Alscot

Wow what a fabulous few days we had between 27th-30th June, with the garden brimming with pieces of beauty and an abundance of visitors! The weather, support and exhibitors couldn’t have been better for the second Art at Alscot.

With huge thanks to Sarah Methuen Art who wonderfully organised the four day event for Warwickshire Open Studios, and we would like to thank all exhibitors and everyone that attended Alscot Park (venue 68), who made the event a great success..

Stratford Business Growth Event

Stratford Business Growth Event

On Thursday 27th June we set out to deliver a successful business networking event to achieve the primary goal of fostering connections among local people in business.

Hosted by Alscot and carefully arranged together with Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Huband Warwickshire Growth Hub, the event offered a platform for those attending to seek advice, network and make connections in the beautiful surroundings of Alscot Park.