About us

The Ground beneath us.

Our Wild Flower Meadows are nestled in the Sussex Low Weald in mostly moisture-retaining Weald Clay cut across with bands of Sandstone and Paludina Limestone. Winterbourne streams from the hills acting as tributaries to the Adur.

The Story of the Land.

Ancient ground. Self-sufficient Medieval Manor and Farm. Mixed arable and livestock with coppice woodlands to provide for farming needs.  Most of the land was ploughed up and intensively farmed during World War 2 to compensate for the U-Boat depradations. But a few of the Ancient Wildflower Meadows were saved along with some elements of Water Meadow. After the War, arable (wheat and oats) and dairy (Redpoll and Friesian) intensity increased. Our arable production on the Low Weald land required large amounts of both herbicide (to kill off “weeds”), pesticides (to kill off the bugs and beetles) and fertiliser for growth. Our milk production required the re-sowing of “improved” grass lays on a regular basis and fertiliser to maintain energy levels. Hedges were ripped up and ditches filled in to improve efficiency. Over a relatively short period of time this lead to a significant reduction in soil and water quality. This, in turn, drastically reduced the numbers and diversity of all wild species. The Friesian Dairy Herd was disbanded in the 90’s and replaced by a Pedigree Sussex Beef Herd and we learnt that Sussex cattle are very suited to, and in fact seem to prefer, old fashioned grasses and flowers.

What are we doing now?

All arable land has been taken out of production.

We are restoring the varying ecosystem habitats on the land such as Meadows, Hedgerows, Woodlands, Ponds and Streams to provide a better home for the bugs, the birds, and everything in between. But at our core heart are the Wild Flower Meadows.