ESTATE

WILDER ESTATE

The Wider Estate has been gradually expanding since the beginning of the restoration project in 1991. Today our lease extends into various areas of the original Heligan Home Farm incorporating ancient pastures, woodland and wetland, as well as a wide network of watercourses, ponds and lakes. Each of these areas is managed specifically to maximise its biodiversity and preserve its historic position within the Heligan Estate.

In accordance with this aim the land has been registered through the Environmental Stewardship Scheme and been awarded Entry Level status. This ensures that sound agri-environmental practices are maintained to encourage biodiversity and to protect historical landscape features. Traditional techniques carried out across the estate positively promote this. The management of hay meadows, re-laying of hedges and restoration of historic paths have all been carried out using traditional techniques, allowing visitors to appreciate the dramatic nature of a traditionally and sensitively nurtured landscape.

LOST VALLEY & WOOD PRODUCTS

In the eighteenth century these semi-natural ancient woodlands evolved into a landscape designed for pleasure; the original Georgian Ride, lined by ancient oaks, still runs through the heart of the estate alongside a series of lakes, leats and a mill stream. Local archaeologists have traced man’s woodland activities in this area back to Mediaeval times, and today we continue these traditions as part of the ongoing habitat management, by selectively harvesting timber and implementing a ‘Whole Tree Policy’.

Our ‘Whole Tree Policy’ operates to ensure that every part of every tree felled is used in the most productive manner. While the smallest branches are processed into chippings for mulch, some of the dead wood is left in situ to rot down, resulting in a valuable wildlife habitat. The greater part of the tree is allocated to specific treatments on site with a view to the most suitable end product. Sustainable Heligan wood products are sold exclusively from the Heligan Shop and include Lost Valley Charcoal, a variety of wood-turned items and unique pieces of indoor and outdoor furniture made in our on-site workshops. Our charcoal kilns can be seen in Lost Valley and are regularly packed for burns.

We are passionate about the wildlife habitat our woodland offers and are careful to protect the future health of veteran and ancient trees, retaining deadwood where possible as well as providing lighter glades to promote wild flowers and insects. New tree planting, particularly to re-instate the huge original shelterbelts, is an on going project; but all woodland activities are increasingly assessed for their impact on wildlife. Many bat boxes can be seen throughout the woods, providing temporary roosts for various resident species such as Pipistrelle, Barbastelle and Greater and Lesser Horseshoe, whilst the ample supply of sticklebacks, unpolluted watercourses and mild Cornish winters make our Lost Valley lakes the perfect over-wintering spot for Kingfishers.

FOOD & FARMING

Just beyond the Northern Gardens lies our Poultry Orchard where traditional breeds of chicken, ducks and geese roam beneath old varieties of Cornish apple trees.
The ancient and restored pastures that make up the estate’s fields, parkland and woodland-pasture are grazed by our registered pedigree flock of Wiltshire Horn Sheep and herd of Dexter Cattle, on a very low input system. The extensive grazing and pure grass fed diet of the cattle and sheep reared on the estate is reflected in the superb quality of meat, which is butchered by our neighbours at Lobb’s Farm Shop and served in the Heligan Tearoom.

Traditional hay meadows are left to grow from spring into mid-summer, with grazing following to reduce soil fertility and encourage native wild flowers and invertebrates. Designated field margins are left uncut to provide field vole habitat; the main diet of our resident barn owls.

An area of farmland is specifically allocated for the cultivation of various birdseed and insect nectar crops, which are sown in late spring and flower in summer, providing a valuable food source and cover in the winter. A specially converted shepherd’s hut serves as a mobile hide and is sited for prime viewing of the visiting flocks.

Our intention, as in the Productive Gardens, is to enable Heligan visitors to get up close to the land, and to encourage interest in how we manage it and where our food comes from. We are able to do this while still complimenting our primary interest in Heligan wildlife.

We have also been working with our immediate neighbours, the Lobb brothers at Kestle Farm, to offer Heligan visitors – and the local community – a greater understanding of the critical role of farming in the management of an attractive and diverse landscape.

The multi-award-winning Lobbs Farm Shop has been built in our main car park, incorporating a major exhibition, where farm animal life cycles, land rotation, traceability of food and issues of seasonality and distribution are investigated, along with our responsibility to protect the environment and our wildlife heritage.

The Lobbs graze their South Devon cattle and Dorset Poll sheep on neighbouring land and Heligan visitors have the opportunity to purchase fresh, high quality, home-reared lamb and beef and consider the many benefits of continuing to buy local, responsibly produced food when they return home.

Visit Lobb's Farm Shop
www.lobbsfarmshop.com

LOST VALLEY