Farming for Nature at Pensthorpe
At Pensthorpe, conservation and farming aren’t opposites – they’re allies. Our working farm is a living demonstration of how agriculture can support wildlife, regenerate landscapes, and inspire people.
Creating a richer, more resilient environment.
Set within our 280 hectares reserve, over 100 hectares are farmed not for maximum output, but to create a richer, more resilient environment. As a mixed farm (Arable & livestock mix), it’s a place where birdsong is abundant, wildflowers bloom, and people reconnect with where their food comes from.
A Farmed Landscape for Wildlife
Our approach is rooted in diversity, not simplification. By maintaining a patchwork of habitats — from hedgerows to wet meadows— we support a diverse range of species while producing food.
Key practices include:
- Planting winter seed mixes to support seed-eating farmland birds like linnets, reed buntings, and Yellowhammer.
- Managing hedgerows on rotation, so they remain dense and flower-rich, providing both food and shelter.
- Creating flower-rich margins and buffer strips to support pollinators and insects vital to healthy ecosystems.
- Reinstating and maintaining ponds and scrapes that serve as breeding grounds for amphibians and a host of aquatic invertebrates.
We regularly see brown hares, barn owls, yellowhammers, and roe deer across our farm — a reflection of the balance we aim to achieve between cultivation and conservation.
Regenerative and Responsible Farming
The way we farm matters just as much as what we farm. Our system is guided by regenerative principles — methods that restore soils, improve water retention, and reduce emissions.
- Minimal soil disturbance to protect underground ecosystems and prevent erosion.
- Diverse rotations that include legumes (e.g. clover) and heritage grains to enhance soil health.
- Two year herbal leys to keep living roots in the soil year-round, improving structure and nutrient cycling.
- Low-input systems that reduce reliance on chemicals, benefiting both biodiversity and long-term productivity.
We also manage grazing regimes carefully, using native breeds to manage grassland and to encourage species-rich meadows and pasture to enhance the natural food chain.
Farming with Purpose
Farming at Pensthorpe isn’t a commercial sideline — it’s a core part of our mission to demonstrate what’s possible. We farm with three goals in mind:
1. Supporting Nature
Every field, hedge and ditch is managed with wildlife in mind. We also are part of the Wensum Farm Cluster Group encouraging wider conservation within the Wensum Valley.
2. Inspiring Others
We host farmers, researchers, and land managers to share our experience and encourage change.
3. Educating the Public
Visitors, including over 3,000 schoolchildren annually, get to see wildlife-friendly farming in action.
Discovering Pensthorpes farm
Visitors can discover more about our farm through our explorer tour, visiting our farmland hide and walking our seasonal farmland trail.
Looking Ahead
We believe the future of farming lies in reconnecting food systems with nature. With nature in steep decline, every field matters — and Pensthorpe aims to be part of the solution.
We’re exploring:
· Expanding wild bird cover and seed mixes.
· Trialling new regenerative cropping systems.
· Increasing feeding and nesting opportunities for nature
Whether it’s a schoolchild spotting their first lapwing or a farmer learning how to integrate hedgerow corridors, we want every acre to tell a story of hope and restoration.
