The Cholderton Estate is a large, organic, mixed farm comprising several hundred acres of crops and extensive pasture and downland that supports two dairy herds, a beef herd and hundreds of sheep. The Estate is home to rare breeds of stock, including the purebred Cleveland Bay horses and Hampshire Down sheep.

Rotations between crops and pasture are aligned to the needs of wildlife, particularly birds. The farm is as self-sufficient as possible, with crops grown to feed the farm’s livestock. Field headlands support rare arable weeds, and a traditional variety of the legume sainfoin is grown as forage for sheep, for fixing nitrogen and to attract insects.

Over 40 miles of hedgerows are managed for invertebrates, birds and small mammals. Other land management involves rough grass field margins, beetle banks, coppicing of woodland, tree planting and low-intensity grazing to promote wild flowers.

In addition to sustainable management practices, the Estate has an impressive programme of environmental enhancement, including chalk downland restoration, pond creation and the provision of nestboxes for owls and a hibernaculum for bats.

All of the farm management practices contribute to a beautiful landscape and an exceptional wealth and diversity of wildlife.