The Land
Our site offers accessible paths, evolving landscapes, and diverse uses, from horse grazing to community gardens. Explore how we balance conservation, recreation, and sustainable land management.
Access
There are multiple access points to the site, and we continue to work to ensure it is accessible to as many as is possible.
A main track runs from the northeast corner (Golf Course Road) to the southwest corner (Glenashdale Track), effectively bisecting the land. From this track, a network of paths has been created to provide access to most of the fields. Additionally, a bridge has been built to allow easy crossing into the westernmost field. Informal access to the land is also possible at two points where it meets the main logging track to the west.
For those walking solely on the track, trainers or similar footwear should be sufficient. However, sturdy boots are recommended for walking off-track, as paths can be muddy and uneven in places. Visitors should also be mindful of the potential for ticks; we advise dressing appropriately, avoiding uncut undergrowth, and checking thoroughly for ticks on all parts of the body after walking.
Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted on the site, but there is a small car park near the Golf Course entrance for visitors.
Field Usage
Meaningful farm activity, at its conclusion limited to topping a small number of fields for silage, ceased over 20 years ago, with several fields left abandoned a decade earlier.
As shown on the Google Earth-based map, this has resulted in a patchwork of fields, many of which are gradually reverting to a semi-natural state. However, some fields continue to be actively used for horse grazing (fields 1, 6, 11, and 17). Our allotments, community garden, barn, and polytunnels are located in field 5.
An Evolving Landscape
The gradual transformation of our former farmland, visible across the site, represents what is known as ecological restoration.
This process sees the shift from monoculture -grass fields- to a more natural, diverse ecosystem. It begins with the establishment of a variety of grasses and wildflowers—known as pioneer species—and is followed by the gradual appearance of shrubs and small trees, such as willows and birches.
Natural grazers, like red deer, play a key role in this transition. Their grazing limits the growth of young trees and shrubs by feeding on their foliage, effectively slowing the progression of succession and preventing certain areas from developing into dense woodland. However, controlled grazing also helps to create a mosaic of habitats across the land—like the one we have here. This balance between open grasslands, scrub, and woodland supports a wide diversity of plant and animal species, contributing to the overall health and vitality of the land’s ecosystem.