We won Best Green Business in the Stratford Herald Business & Tourism Awards!! 🏆

Winning Best Green Business means the world to us because it recognises our vision for the future and the heart of everything we do — our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating a positive impact on our community and the planet. It’s a reflection of the hard work, vision, passion, and purpose that drive our team every day. This award reaffirms that doing business responsibly and protecting the environment can go hand in hand with success.

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of engaging with Rosemary Collier, Chair of SWAN (South Warwickshire Area Network for Wildlife). Recently, Rosemary and members of the SWAN team visited Alscot for an exciting experimental trip to trial their brand-new hedgerow assessment surveys.

Using methods developed by the Natural Capital Assessment Partnership (NCAP), these surveys help gather valuable data to support the Warwickshire area habitat database — and may even identify important hedgerows that could become designated Local Wildlife Sites.

7.00pm Tuesday 4th November, Preston on Stour Village Hall

Join us as we look back on our first year of regenerative farming.

Over the past twelve months, we’ve been working to restore soil health, encourage biodiversity, and produce crops in a way that gives back to the land. This community update is a chance to share what we’ve achieved so far, the lessons we’ve learned along the way, and how regenerative practices are shaping a more resilient future for farming. We also want to celebrate the role our local community has played in supporting this journey — from sharing knowledge to contributing valuable data. Your involvement is vital, and together we can continue to grow stronger connections between people, food, and the land.

Let’s keep growing together!

Thursday 2nd October marked an exciting step forward as we welcomed our new herd of longhorn cattle. Delivered personally by their Shropshire breeder, the cattle arrived in excellent condition and were unloaded with ease.

True to their reputation for good temperament, the longhorns stepped calmly down the ramp and made their way into their new field without hesitation. Moving together as a group, they wandered off steadily to explore their new surroundings.

Today we welcomed a team of scientists from the University of Plymouth, carrying out specialist surveys using Medusa Radiometrics gamma spectrometry equipment. In addition to the traditional soil analysis techniques, this technology measures natural gamma radiation in the soil to assess density, composition, and structure – providing a more extensive view and valuable insights that would otherwise take extensive drilling or excavation to uncover.

We’re thrilled to announce that Alscot has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Stratford-upon-Avon Herald Business & Tourism Awards 2025 for Best Green Business! ✨🌱

 This recognition celebrates our commitment to sustainability, with an emphasis on responsible farming and land management. From our Longhorn cows, due on the estate very soon who will play a vital role in conservation grazing to support biodiversity, to practices like delaying hedge and grass cutting so birds have the chance to nest and feed, we’re proud to farm in ways that help nature flourish. 🐄🌿🐦

Following the announcement of our transition to regenerative farming last September, we’re pleased to share the next exciting development in our journey toward full organic conversion within the next five years.

 As part of this process, we are introducing pedigree cattle to graze our natural grasslands and herbal leys — a key element in restoring soil health, supporting biodiversity, and improving overall land resilience. The herd has been bred by Shropshire farmer Archie Corrie of Leighton Farm, where a long tradition of pedigree breeding means each registered animal is named in strict alphabetical order. It’s a little like naming hurricanes… only much calmer and with considerably more grass.

There has been growing local interest in our new regenerative agricultural system, which is already encouraging a richer diversity of wildlife and plant species across the Estate. In addition to our regular surveys, we’re inviting the local community to help us track these changes using the iNaturalist app.

Quick Guide: When you open the app, type ‘Warwickshire’ to zoom in on the area. You’ll then see species already recorded in and around Alscot.

We warmly encourage your participation — every observation helps build a clearer picture of the Estate’s evolving ecosystem.

To identify bird song, we recommend Merlin Bird ID.

Photo: Banded Demoiselle

This photo captures the genuine enthusiasm and curiosity that the Croft Prep. School students have for nature-based activities at Alscot. Tom Genders hosted his fourth consecutive activity day on Alscot's Biodiversity Net Gain site — 47 acres of land carefully managed to restore and enhance grasslands to provide plant and wildlife habitats, over a minimum of 30 years. The site offsets habitat loss caused by development elsewhere in the region.

The day was filled with engaging, hands-on experiences, including:

• Orienteering – Map reading and native tree identification

• Foraging – Searching for plants (supposedly) for Mr. Genders’ lunch

• Team building – A practical, problem-solving STEM challenge

And no doubt Tom Genders demonstrated his abundant knowledge and keen ear, to identify various bird song.

P.S. Mr. Genders did not actually eat any of the foraged plants!

Yesterday, it was the wider estate team’s turn to be introduced to Alscot’s regenerative farming journey.

While farming isn’t something we’re all involved in on a daily basis, it’s certainly something that unites us—after all, we all rely on food to live!

Our regenerative farming project began as far back as 2020, but it wasn’t until 2024 that we took a major step forward by sowing the fields with legume fallows and herbal leys—our first move toward improving soil health.

This year, the sheep have already benefited from this diverse and nutritious plant system, enjoying protein-rich forage. We’re now excited to be planning for cattle grazing, either later this year or in the next.

The 3–5 year conversion process, designed to produce nutrient-rich animal feed, is regenerating the land - improving the soil structure and quality, and laying the foundation for future organic food production, including heritage wheat and vegetables.

The team was introduced to regenerative agriculture not just through presentation and discussion, but by walking the land itself. We visited a variety of fields—each with different crops, shaped by different conditions—and had the chance to observe and learn directly from the landscape.

The word “wholesome” is often overused, but in this case, it truly captures the spirit of the day.

To learn more, view our ‘Home Farm’ page on the website, follow us on social media, sign up to our newsletter or contact us!

The clear highlight of our recent breeding bird survey was the recording of a Corn Bunting at Alscot. To give this rare and charismatic species the best chance of success, we’re leaving the nesting field completely undisturbed until the young have fledged. Fortunately, our naturalist—from Wiltshire—brings a wealth of experience working with landowners and farmers to support this enigmatic bird.

The vibrant display we’re now seeing is the result of sowing Herbal Leys and Legume Fallow last September—an important step in our journey to regenerate the soil and transition to organic status. The crops are creating some magnificent colour – the purple flowering Phacelia and red Crimson Clover being most visible at this time of year.  

Soil samples have recently been taken across the arable and permanent pasture fields, and sent off for analysis. This will help us to build a valuable baseline dataset as the regenerative farming system develops.

Since Alscot began practicing regenerative farming across approximately 715 hectares of Alscot agricultural land, the project has sparked widespread interest, both locally and nationally, as we work to enhance soil health—a fundamental component of ecosystem services, human wellbeing, and ecological balance. We are actively collaborating with leading organisations and researchers to provide valuable evidence on the wider impact of soil health on society.

Since announcing our commitment to regenerative farming at an Alscot community event in June 2024, we successfully met our target of implementing practical changes on the land by September of the same year. We were therefore delighted to be invited to share our progress and insights with the local community at an event on 2nd April.

Alscot presented the project to a full house at Clifford Chambers Village Hall. The event, hosted by Wild About Clifford in collaboration with Preston Environmental Group (PEG), was a testament to the strong local interest in nature recovery and environmental initiatives.

Trevor Acreman, Chair of Wild About Clifford, was keen for us to engage with group members and neighbours and share the details of our work, including what they might observe in the area and what potential benefits they will experience over time. The event was well received and we hope to continue our mutual engagement.

The full details of our regenerative farming journey is available to view HERE.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Joining the electric revolution with our cutting-edge fleet of electric vehicles!

Our team are experiencing eco-friendly transportation without compromising on style or performance. Say goodbye to gas and hello to a cleaner, greener future. Oh and to the Scooby Buzz as this one has been affectionately named by its eco-friendly driver, Darren.

On Thursday 6th June Alscot Estate invited guests to a private screening of the documentary film, Six Inches of Soil. The film tells the inspiring story of three young British farmers standing up against the industrial food system and transforming the way they produce food - to heal the soil, our health and provide for local communities. The screening took place at Everyman, Stratford upon Avon and included a drinks reception, introduction to the film by Colin Ramsay, Film Director, and a Q&A session. The panel included, Colin Ramsay, Emma Holman-West, Estate Owner, Paddy Hoare and Tom Gurney, Perdix Partnership and Simon Cutter, Farmer and Founder of Model Farm Society. Simon began rearing organic livestock and organic produce long before the ‘Organic bandwagon’ started to roll in the wake of the BSE crisis in the early 1990’s. Featuring on BBC Country file, Simon has been a pioneer in pasture fed, organic and free-range livestock with a passion for nature and natural food produce.

Lead by Tom Genders and accompanied by other enthusiastic teachers, the year 6 students from The Croft Preparatory School ventured to the Estate’s BNG land to take part in practical nature studies. The children took on a series of tasks including, orienteering, identifying native tree species, an invertebrates study and a wildlife ID walk where they identified bird song. The activity day is a big hit with the children and school, and is now in its third successful year.

Recently, on a beautiful warmer than average September day (poignant given the nature of the event), we had the pleasure of hosting leaders and members of our local authority - Stratford upon Avon District Council. Following the change in local government earlier this year, members of the Alscot Estate team, including Emma Holman-West and Jack Kennedy, introduced the Alscot Biodiversity Net Gain Project and how Alscot is contributing to deliver the UK’s climate change ambitions.

Watch on You Tube

The 1st Tiddington Scouts joined us in June this year on their volunteering week. The group of 10-14 year olds joined forester, Dave, and learnt various aspects of forestry and woodland management, including the importance of providing habitats for wildlife species, and why we need to protect young trees in the wild. The group helped in various roles by collecting used tree guards, placing sheeps wool into tree guards to discourage deer, and they dug trenches on the edge of the woodlands to help create habitats for invertebrates. The Scouts were really engaged and have asked to come back another time!

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

This was us, July 2019, David Lowe -Team Leader, Ecology, Historic Environment & Landscape at Warwickshire County Council David Cole - Ecologist WCC, Stephanie Matthews - Natural England Kurt Goodman & Sam Arthur - FPCR and Jonathan Thompson - Alscot’s BNG Consultant, walking, talking, observing and considering the future of biodiversity net gain at Alscot. These photos were taken during the two years of research and monitoring before we finally entered into a min. 30yr contractual term in April 2020, as one of the first private landowners in the UK to offer BNG land to developers, through a formal, accountable and monitored scheme.

The tree planting season is well under way at Alscot, albeit a little later than usual due to the exceptionally dry autumn. In January we took delivery of over 3,000 new trees including established English Oak and Beech, plus mixed species hedging and shrubs for various locations.

As part of the Estate’s overall long-term strategic vision, we operate a policy to explore and implement sustainable practices across the Estate. Our aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 although progress is already good and we are very confident that we can achieve our goal ahead of target.
The new initiatve for 2023 sees the full team gather twice a year to focus on and discuss ways in which we could asssit the environment. The level of genuine interest and contributions has so far been hugely gratifying, and as much as we all have very serious concerns for the planet, the enthusiasm for the environment in relation to the Estate, local community and our future generations is encouraging to say the least. 

Alscot Park was the venue on Friday 9th Dec for the C&W Chamber of Commerce South Warwickshire Branch Meeting. The topic of conversation was green skills and how businesses are focusing on becoming more sustainable. It was a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and businesses and share thoughts, ideas and connections.