Land Management Archives - Surrey Hills National Landscape

Historic Barn Restoration in the Surrey Hills Receives Commendation

Posted on April 11, 2025 | by Emma

Historic Barn Restoration in the Surrey Hills Receives Commendation at Surrey Historical Buildings Trust Awards

A recent restoration project at Emley Farm, near Bowlhead Green in the Surrey Hills National Landscape, has been awarded as highly commended at the Surrey Historical Buildings Trust Awards. The National Trust, in collaboration with local partners, successfully applied to the Surrey Hills Historic Buildings Restoration Grant (HBRG), a fund dedicated to preserving buildings under the ‘Place’ theme of the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme.

Emley Farm, a stunning site with a rich history, is home to several Grade II listed buildings, including a 16th/17th-century farmhouse, a late 17th-century threshing barn, a late 18th-century granary, and more. These buildings, which have remained largely unaltered since the introduction of modern farming techniques, represent a rare example of traditional large farmsteads within the Surrey Hills.

The funding was used to restore the external envelope of these ‘at risk’ barns, preventing water damage, safeguarding original materials, and ensuring the structural stability of the buildings. Views of the restoration works can be enjoyed from the public footpaths which pass through the farmyard in this beautiful setting, allowing visitors to safely enjoy the site.

Stephanie Fudge, General Manager at the National Trust Surrey Hills expressed the farm’s historic value and ecological importance.

“On a moonlit evening Emley appears like Brigadoon, a place beyond time and reality. The farm complex is an important refuge for rare wildlife such as resident Barn Owls and roosting bats. The barns form part of an ecosystem which includes two veteran 500-year-old Sessile oaks adjacent to the barns. The owls use both the barns and the trees to watch and to hunt prey in the rough grassland paddocks which surround the buildings… The work will provide a visual backdrop to how we share the story of Emley with visitors and explore the history of the landscape here as well as changing farming practices that have changed the focus of many farms across Surrey. Emley survives as an historic time capsule, and this work will allow people to experience this on various levels rather than just through surveys and old photos… The restoration will ensure that these important rare vernacular relics will not be lost, and they will continue to play their part in the rich social historical tapestry of the Surrey rural landscape.”

The meticulous restoration efforts, overseen by National Trust Building Surveyors and supported by the Blackdown & Hindhead Supporters Group, uncovered extensive rot within many of the old timbers. However, the team found an innovative solution: oak wood from Emley Farm itself, felled during the Great Storm of 1987. This local material was used to restore the barns, making them stronger than ever.

With the restoration now complete, plans for the next phase of the project are underway, ensuring that Emley Farm remains a treasured site for both its historical significance and its role in preserving local wildlife.

Sarah Thiele, Programme Manager at the Surrey Hills National Landscape said.

“This project exemplifies the successful blending of heritage preservation with wildlife conservation, ensuring that Emley Farm barns continue to serve as a sanctuary for Barn Owls, roosting bats, and the surrounding natural ecosystem. This restoration not only preserves the physical structures but also enriches the cultural and environmental story of the Surrey Hills, ensuring future generations will be able to experience and understand the layers of agricultural history that this landscape holds.”

Discover the project here.

Farming in the Surrey Hills: Feeding the Future and Nurturing Nature

Posted on February 26, 2025 | by Emma

Thanks to the support of the DEFRA Farming in Protected Landscapes (FIPL) programme, farmers and land managers in the Surrey Hills National Landscape have been able to create a legacy that goes beyond food production. This week, DEFRA announced their continued commitment to the FiPL programme, which includes funding for 2025/26.

Since it started in 2021, the Surrey Hills FiPL programme has engaged with over 250 farmers and landowners, implemented 35 flood reduction projects, facilitated 200 educational visits, and improved soil health across more than 3,600 hectares of land. This is set within the national context where the programme has awarded over 3,700 projects including the planting of 204,000 trees and 184 miles of new hedgerow. Together, these initiatives are not only securing the future of local farms but also enhancing the environment for wildlife and people alike.

Jim Simmons, Chair of Surrey National Farmer’s Union said.

“We are delighted by the news that DEFRA will continue their investment in the FiPL programme. The funding that the Surrey Hills team have provided to local farmers has been instrumental in supporting the legacy of our farming industry. The impact this programme has made further exemplifies the vital role our farmers play in managing, maintaining and enhancing our landscapes.”

Mark Frost’s Story: Norbury Park Farm

One farmer who has felt the transformative impact of the FIPL programme is Mark Frost of Norbury Park Farm. Faced with devastating and ongoing losses to his dairy herd from Neospora, an untreatable parasite spread through dog waste, Mark applied for FiPL funding. His hedge planting project will improve biodiversity across the farm by providing a thriving habitat for wildlife whilst helping to better manage visitor and livestock interactions. He has already planted 1.3 km of new hedgerows alongside some of the grazing fields by the River Mole. The hedges were planted by volunteers, including Surrey’s Youth Offer team, an organisation providing employment opportunities for young people who have been part of the criminal justice system.

“Everybody who works or is involved on our family farm is so proud that this project came to fruition,” Mark shared. “The fencing will be a life changer for all of us, and the hedge planting will encourage an abundance of wildlife. We were blown away by how helpful everybody at the Surrey Hills was—from completing the paperwork to organising volunteers to plant the hedges. This project is a lifeline for farmers like us who are facing some of the toughest financial pressures we’ve ever seen. We are extremely grateful.”

Restoring a Pond, Restoring a Purpose

Another shining example of the wider impact of the programme is the restoration of an ancient dairy pond on the Hampton Estate. Overgrown and inaccessible, the pond has been transformed with FIPL funding into a vibrant habitat for wildlife but also an educational resource and accessible destination for visitors.

Now known as King’s Pond, the project included re-sculpting the pond and creating habitat both in and around the water, creating wheelchair-accessible paths and a dipping platform, and developing age-specific educational materials for children. Already, the pond has welcomed visitors, earning praise for its dual role as a habitat and learning site.

“Without FIPL funding, the restoration of this ancient pond would have been difficult” said Bridget Biddell from the Hampton Estate. “The funding has not only enabled the restoration of a freshwater habitat but has also given the pond a contemporary purpose. With signs and a dipping platform, the pond is now used by children and adults to learn and get excited about pond life.”

The success of these projects underscores the critical role that farmers play—not just as food producers, but as stewards of the land. Farmers and landowners in the Surrey Hills, supported by DEFRA and the FIPL programme, have proven to be champions of wildlife, landscape conservation and community education.

“Thank you to our Surrey Hills farmers for making a difference, and we are thrilled to hear that DEFRA will continue their support and investment in this programme.” Rob Fairbanks, Director of the Surrey Hills National Landscape expressed. “Together, we’re securing the future—for food, wildlife, and generations to come.”

As these projects continue to inspire and protect, it’s clear that the Surrey Hills farmers are planting the seeds of a brighter future for all. Read the 2024/25 National report.

If you are a farmer or landowner in the Surrey Hills National Landscape and would like to apply to the next funding cycle with a project delivering for people, nature, place and climate, get in touch.

New Signs Celebrate Surrey Hills’ Invertebrate Wonders

Posted on September 5, 2024 | by Emma

A new initiative is taking flight in the Surrey Hills, aimed at drawing attention to the remarkable world of invertebrates. In a collaborative effort with local farmers and landowners, new educational signs are being installed across the National Landscape to engage the community with the extraordinary and essential roles these tiny creatures play in our ecosystem.

Invertebrates, which include all insects and spiders, make up an astonishing 73% of all organisms on our planet. In stark contrast, vertebrates (creatures with backbones) constitute a mere 0.4% of global species, with humans being a minuscule part of this category. Despite our small numbers, human impact on the environment is disproportionately large. This project aims to shift the focus towards protecting invertebrates, as safeguarding these species helps to protect the broader ecosystem.

The new signs, which will be prominently placed along popular trails and scenic spots, feature vibrant illustrations and compelling facts about various invertebrate species. Visitors can learn about the critical roles these “minibeasts” play, from pollination to decomposition, and how they support the entire food web.

“We’re excited to launch this initiative,” said Catherine McCusker from the National Trust who has led this project alongside Christa Emmett from the Surrey Hills Society. She added “By highlighting the importance of invertebrates, we hope to inspire a sense of wonder and responsibility in everyone who visits the landscape. Protecting these creatures is essential for the health of our environment.”

Rob Fairbanks, Surrey Hills National Landscape Director said “The signs are a result of a concerted community effort, with input from farmers, landowners, and conservationists. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment to preserving Surrey Hills’ natural heritage and fostering a greater understanding of the intricate web of life that sustains us all.”

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or simply enjoying a walk in the hills, these signs will offer valuable insights and encourage a deeper connection to the natural beauty of the Surrey Hills.

For more information about the invertebrates of Surrey Hills and how you can help protect them, as well as a map of where you can find these signs, visit the Surrey Hills National Landscape website here.

With thanks to the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes fund and support from all project partners.

The Surrey Hills as a Haven for Horses and Biodiversity

Posted on August 20, 2024 | by Emma

Surrey is known as one of the UK’s counties with the highest density of horses. Grazing horses are a familiar part of the Surrey Hills landscape, and while horses can be beneficial for the land and have been used in numerous conservation grazing and rewilding projects, it is important not to overlook the impact that they can have on the land if they are not managed responsibly. Overgrazing and poor pasture management are, unfortunately, all too common. However, the good news is that there are effective ways to address these challenges.

This summer, the Surrey Hills National Landscape and Surrey Wildlife Trust teamed up with Stuart Myers (Equiculture) to deliver two workshops for horse owners on good practice for pasture management and improving soil health, and an additional training session for environmental advisors on working with the equine community. With around 60 horse owners and 20 advisors attending across the three days, we are optimistic that this marks the beginning of a significant initiative to promote positive changes in pasture management, benefitting both wildlife and horses.

Both workshops were fully booked, showing that there is significant demand for sessions such as this in the Surrey Hills. While horse owners know a lot about looking after horses, this event gave the opportunity to investigate how to look after the land that they are also custodians of. By bringing together these two areas of knowledge and looking at horse care from a ground-up perspective, we can improve soil health, create a more biodiverse pasture, and end up with a happier, healthier horse.

Equiculture is an organisation that specialises in ‘teaching horse owners how to manage their land in a way that is good for: 

HORSES - by improving their welfare

 PEOPLE - by saving them time and money

The ENVIRONMENT - by improving biodiversity & soil, creating habitat for wildlife.’

Co-founders Jane and Stuart Myers have decades of experience owning and managing horses as well as teaching other horse owners. Their innovative approach to managing land has been developed based on concepts such as rewilding and regenerative farming, and they now have a significant following across Australia, the UK and the US.

A key concept they emphasise is understanding the natural grazing behaviour of horses and its connection to their unique digestive systems. Unlike cows, horses require a high-fibre, low-energy diet, which can be supported by a biodiverse pasture with longer grasses. This approach not only improves the horse’s gut health but also contributes to broader environmental benefits.

By practising good pasture management and increasing biodiversity, this also delivers co-benefits such as helping to protect watercourses from run-off and contamination, increased carbon sequestration and improving soil health and longevity.

A biodiverse pasture can be achieved through various methods, depending on your starting point. Their recommendations include mulching, rotational grazing, and reducing run-off / soil erosion, which will allow over-grazed areas to recover and will help establish vegetation cover on patches of bare ground.

Jane and Stuart have built on the concept of rotational grazing to develop their unique ‘Equicentral System’. This system ‘works by utilising horses’ natural and domesticated behaviour to benefit them, the land and their owners.’ To find out more about Equiculture and the Equicentral System, visit their website. You can also sign-up to their online course. https://www.equiculture.net/

In case you need more convincing, here is some feedback we received from our attendees:

‘It was brilliant. Incredibly useful for all involved.’ – Advisor training attendee

“It was great to be given digestible information to take forward to landowners about their pasture management. Even a few simple changes can have dramatic improvements for both biodiversity and horse welfare” – Advisor training attendee

‘A very informative day, thank you. Taking on board so many good ideas.’ – Workshop attendee

“It was great to learn about some simple, cost-free methods that could be used to manage my pasture to ensure my horse is happy and healthy”- Workshop attendee

‘Definitely thought-provoking and thrilled that horse owners are now able to understand more about grazing management.’ – Workshop attendee

These workshops were made possible with funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes scheme (FiPL), and the advisor training was funded through the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s Hedgerow Heritage project (Heritage Lottery Funding).

You can stay up to date with future events by joining the Friends of the Surrey Hills newsletter https://surreyhills.org/whats-on/newsletter/ and by visiting the Surrey Wildlife Trust’s website www.surreywildlifetrust.org/nature-based-solutions.

Surrey Hills Partnership explores innovation in nature restoration at the Hampton Estate

Posted on July 19, 2024 | by Emma

Yesterday, the Surrey Hills Board and Partnership had the pleasure of being hosted by the Hampton Estate near Farnham. We were excited to see the beautifully restored King’s Pond, now teeming with wildlife, and to learn how AI technology is revolutionising agricultural practices with Hall Hunter. At Puttenham Common, we discovered how innovative no-fence collars on cows are aiding in the restoration of precious heathland.

The day wrapped up at Waggoners Campsite, where we delved into sustainable visitor experiences, and Huckleberries Farm, where inspiring visits support children facing mental health challenges. Here we asked our partners to reflect and write their vision from the future of the Surrey Hills National Landscape…

“Be happy! Spend more time in nature.”
“Shout louder about nature, biodiversity, less fossil fuels, less development.”
“Remember you are a steward, but you have power. So use it individually, collaboratively, to treasure the natural world”
“Support policies that encourage nature, biodiversity and inclusiveness.”
“Thank you for looking after this special place.”
“Keep people, all people at the heart of a living landscape”

Learn more about the restoration of King’s Pond and the no-fence collars initiative, both supported by our Farming in Protected Landscapes fund.
Write your Postcard from the Future here.

Surrey Hills Society secures grant for East Surrey Care Farm Pilot

Posted on March 11, 2024 | by Emma

The Surrey Hills Society is delighted to have received a grant from the Mental Health Investment Fund (MHIF) a joint fund from Surrey Heartlands and Surrey County Council to implement an East Surrey Care Farm Pilot Project. This funding will enable the implementation of the care farming programme, an initiative aimed at enhancing mental well-being through farm visits.

In collaboration with Growing Health Together and the Surrey Hills National Landscape, the Surrey Hills Society has appointed Katie Daws as the Project Officer. Katie will work closely with local farmers to orchestrate farm visits designed to promote therapeutic care for individuals facing physical, mental, and emotional challenges. This not only includes farming activities, but also nurturing the special relationship that artistic activities can bring during visits to the farms.

Katie Daws, Project Officer for the East Surrey Care Farm Project said.
“This project is a unique opportunity to develop a new, supportive environment on local farms. I have seen from my previous experiences on farms supporting vulnerable people with mental health needs that the impact goes beyond a sense of comfort for the participants. The positive impact extends to the farmers in regard to their well-being and a new source of income.”

These sessions are tailored to support the mental health of people across all ages and backgrounds. The project recognises the profound benefits of connecting with nature and farming practices, particularly for groups that have been underserved by conventional services. It seeks to engage individuals currently struggling to access support for their mental well-being, offering a new approach for mental health and social prescribing in Surrey.

Dr Gillian Orrow, GP, Co-founder and Director of Growing Health Together said.
“I am excited for the launch of the Care Farm Pilot in East Surrey, which will offer children, young people and adults with a range of health and care support needs, opportunities to connect with nature and animals on local working farms. The initiative responds to calls from our patients and their families for a more diversified local offer to support mental health and wellbeing, one that centres nature connection and the active role people can play in their own recovery. I am excited to see the impact this project will bring”.

This grant marks a significant milestone in the Surrey Hills Society’s commitment in fostering improved well-being through connection to nature.

Rob Fairbanks, Director of the Surrey Hills National Landscape said.
“Farmers in Surrey are the custodians of our countryside, helping to maintain our landscape, provide food and create space for nature. This project pilots the health benefits for some of the most vulnerable members of society through therapeutic contact with farm animals. We are grateful for the funding from the Mental Health Investment Fund for our Surrey Hills Society to pilot this approach. It is an opportunity to evidence the impact so that we can work with the farming community and partners to extend the programme in future years.”

Welcoming refugees to a Surrey Hills farm

Posted on August 4, 2023 | by Emma

Article written by Just Bring Yourself:

On the 15th July 2023, the team at Just Bring Yourself took two groups of refugee families out for a hike into the fields, farm and woodland of Norbury Park. It was a day of smiles we will not forget – and that’s despite the “amber” warning weather which tried to bat us down from start to finish.

Funding to cover our core costs and get the project moving was provided by the Nineveh Trust. The all-important transport was provided by Epsom College who were eager to help these families living in the Epsom area. We found ourselves in the full gamut of heavy rain, wind, sunshine and drizzle throughout the day. Surrey County Council’s Norbury Park provided a beautiful back drop of meadows, mixed woodland (which our guests referred to as jungle during the day) and a meandering river course. Our volunteer guides, Don and Anton, shared snippets of knowledge about nature as we walked on together.

The highlight of the tour, as is always the case, was Swanworth farm and made possible through the Surrey Hills Farming in Protected Landscapes fund. Swanworth is a place where children and animals connect, and this time Larry the Lamb was the star that made children smile from ear to ear. It is always heart warming to see the delight on someone’s face when they interact positively with animals. The families had lots of questions to ask farmer Nick Bullen, as the comparison of farming cultures was a hot topic, including why we don’t just buy a cow for home use from the local farm (well there’s a thought!).

Our rather worse for wear gazebo was having none of the weather, so we looked around for a place of cover from the rain where we could sit for our picnic. We then offered everyone the chance of writing or drawing something about their day and Francesca and I spent some time sitting with the children who asked how to spell various words to express what they had seen or enjoyed at Norbury. Some expressions were made in their own language which we hope to share soon as the calligraphy is quite beautiful. After a reflection period, we played games in the Swanworth fields which allowed them to run through buttercups and grasses. We then asked everyone to help clear up which enforced the Countryside Code that we teach during each tour and they were all brilliant and totally willing. The long walk home through paths laden with incoming blackberries, wild flowers, birds and farm animals was filled with conversation and questions from our guests.

The lovely drivers from Epsom College were there to meet us for the journey home. These were the first of five events we are holding for refugees this summer. A lot of work and co-operation goes into days like these, but our team came away feeling moved and enriched by the happiness and enthusiasm of the children, the day was made especially so thinking about the unimaginable experiences that forced them from their homes.

A big thank you to our participants and everyone who made these tours possible, including the team at The Epsom & Ewell Refugee Network part of The Good Company Charity who provide so much support for families in need. A special thank you goes to the weather that displayed all four seasons in one day and that all of our participants gloriously embraced.

Countryside Convictions

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by Emma

Thoughts on cultivating a closer relationship with the countryside by Ben Webb of Surrey Hills and Rivers.

There are lots of statistics and arguments pointing towards the need to spend more time active in the countryside, but surely it’s just common sense?

The sad reality is that a lot of young people risk growing up to a life of poorer physical and mental health and, even as a result, having a life that’s shorter than that enjoyed by their parents resulting from a more sedentary lifestyle, processed food, and the pressures of social media. It is clear the answer is not contrived fitness initiatives, traffic light labelling on foods and education and controls around screens and social media, that isn’t a rounded recipe for wellbeing. What is needed is freedom and fun.

The countryside can provide what is really needed. When we commit to time in the countryside we automatically get respite from technology, physical exercise as a natural part of our day and exposure to the elements. Yet the benefits run so much deeper still. We get a chance to appreciate our dinner more than we would after a sedentary day indoors, or a hot shower, or a drink of cold water, or the heat from a fire. We get a chance to understand why mankind felt the inclination to invent all the luxuries that we have around us, and to remember that they are luxuries and that other things are more important. Personal progression in some form can be said to be the key to wellbeing, but only if it actually feels like progress. And for economic progress or luxuries to make us happy, we need to keep nurturing that sense of the basics.

In a countryside setting there is also the chance to develop the all-important, meaningful social bonds with other people that can come from managing the outdoors together, or from going through physical endeavour as a team, or from chatting together when not competing for some resource or other and instead with the backdrop the peace and calm of the countryside. There is also the chance to appreciate how other living things spend their whole lives ‘just getting by’.

In the 21st century we have to proactively create the opportunities for children to enjoy the countryside and can’t expect children to engage with the countryside without some encouragement, because access is not always easy and modern society doesn’t bless parents with that confidence to let their children disappear into the woods and over the hills from breakfast until dinner. And, of course, children themselves are often too readily occupied with screens and social media anyway.

The opportunities are everywhere out there however, with lots of initiatives to support less well-off families too. It simply takes a bit of individual conviction to string those countryside experiences together all through the year and to project the fond memories and virtues of those experiences upon our daily lives in between.

So, my conviction is to get our children out into the countryside – now that’s progress and wellbeing – and perhaps the key to a few more years that are worth living.

To learn more about the work of Surrey Hills and Rivers, visit: www.surreyhillsandrivers.co.uk

New to Surrey Hills – Specialist Machine for Sites of Special Scientific Interest from Alexander Earth

Posted on May 16, 2019 | by Caroline | Leave a Comment

Alexander Earth are committed to preserving Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and other environmentally sensitive areas with their new high performance CAT299D2 XHP tracked loader

“In 2017 we decided to extend our business services into the more environmental and conservation field of woodland and land management services. We felt this would complement our existing business of groundworks, plant hire and agricultural contracting. In order to work within the environmental and conservation field we needed to find the right tool for the job and we subsequently decided to invest in a high performance CAT299D2 XHP tracked loader.

To this end, in early 2018 we contacted Surrey Rural LEADER EU Grant and put forward our business plan and grant application. Thankfully they agreed with us that Surrey Hills would benefit from this machine and particularly SSSI sites of which we are lucky to have many in this area. The CAT 299 machine is used extensively in the USA, however to date there are only a handful in the UK. One of the many benefits is its ability to perform mulching and other woodland tasks with minimum disruption and damage to the surrounding area.

Since purchasing our machine – with the help of the EU and Surrey Rural LEADER Grant – we’ve been trying to get the news out there! We attended the Surrey Hills Wood Fair in 2018 and run various demonstration days for organisations such as National Trust, Forestry Commission, Tilhill Forestry etc. We have recently carried completed a mulching project for the RSPB at their Farnham Heath site”

Services on offer with Alexander Earth:

Woodland mulching services and clearance
Rhododendron and Gaultheria control
Track and path regeneration
Lake and pond maintenance and creation
Ditching and earthworks
Hedge and brush cutting

For more details visit their website: www.alexanderearth.co.uk