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.
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
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.
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.
Alscot has recently taken Lake Park back in house, to manage as part of Alscot’s Biodiversity Project.
This means that we are committed to a long term plan, of at least 30 years, to improve the grass and woodland and in turn encourage and enhance plant and animal species and their habitats. In doing so, we are following a long term process-lead approach, set out by leading ecological specialists.
Stepping into his father’s footsteps, working on land in Clifford Chambers, where he lived as a boy, David Hall started his career in farming at the age of 15.
Working under the direction of local landowner, Major Taylor, David had originally started work 4 years earlier whilst at school, mowing the lawns at Clifford Manor for pocket money, before he ventured into full time employment.
Normally, we so look forward to being able share a drink, mince pie and the decked halls, with so many of you. Sadly, this year things are different, and as we are unable to spread a little Christmas cheer and kindness in person, we are doing so digitally. May we wish you all a very merry Christmas and a safe, healthy, happy and much improved New Year.
Planting season (Nov-March) is upon us and we’re off to a good start!
We have planted 700 new trees in a variety of species in various locations. We have created a new small plantation of 350 trees (pine, silver birch and hornbeam), and by planting another 350 trees, we have enhanced other existing woodlands across the estate.
Click HERE to view
As well as planting new trees across the Estate, very sadly we occasionally loose old ones too. Trees are often the victim of storms, including an ancient cedar tree that was recently damaged as a result of storm Dennis, and many others are lost to age, fragility and disease.
This old Turkey Oak was identified as over 70% dead and due to its size and exposed location, it was considered highly dangerous and had to be felled. With a tree of this size, felling is a highly skilled, dangerous and expensive job.
On 20th December 2019, the skilled team started work in extremely dark and wet weather conditions, however, this huge tree was felled successfully, professionally and with precision to ensure everyone's safety.
With biodiversity being high on the agenda in so many schools now, the purpose of this project is to engage with children and offer opportunities to provide them with an understanding, in an interactive way, of the bigger picture in which todays challenges sit. Our aim is to help deliver, through practical demonstration, the complex issue of biodiversity to the next generation, to influence and promote a positive effect, and ultimately improve the health of the planet, that impacts all our lives.
After two years in the planning, we are very excited to have some tangible activity to show you on our Biodiversity Project site!
Following a careful plan, week commencing 19th Oct 2020, we (Kate, Paul, Harriett and Elliott) planted in excess of 11,000 wildflower bulbs and plugs in a wooded area known as The Roundel and each of the species was selected carefully by top ecologists. The objective is to increase the biodiversity value of the wood by recreating a woodland ground flora, improving the age structure, and increasing the deadwood resource.
In line with Government advice https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response in regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have implemented changes to normal working practices. whilst prioritising the health of our employees and their families, we continue to operate our business by working remotely, ensuring that emails and phones are being responded to as normal.
We appreciate that some changes, such as lack of person to person contact, may be an inconvenience but as most people will understand, this is a sensible precaution to protect all concerned, particularly those that come into regular contact with the elderly and vulnerable, and we really appreciate your cooperation.
A timely and perfect way to celebrate #worldwildlifeday
In an attempt to combat climate chaos, The Woodland Trust are encouraging everyone in the UK to plant a new tree, by donating hundreds of thousands of saplings to schools and communities.
Year after year, we continue to plant new trees, our attempt to enhance the countryside and positively encourage biodiversity; the web of life.
Thankfully, we are now all more aware, than ever before, of the devastating impact of plastic on our oceans and the need for more trees to filter air pollution and help eliminate carbon & other greenhouse gases, in order to reduce the ozone levels that have a damaging effect on the climate.
The shop, run by Ben and Hana, offers locally sourced quality meats, eggs and organic milk in reusable bottles, fresh baked bread and veg boxes to order, frozen vegan, vegetarian and meat pies. The aim is to cut down on plastics and so Ben and Hana weigh out some staples such as rice, nuts seeds and legumes.
