Visitors joining us at The Game Fair or any of our other outdoor events come to enjoy the 450 acres of park immediately surrounding Ragley Hall. But our story is much bigger, and the surrounding 5,000 acres of the estate are dedicated to a wider set of environmental interests and income streams.
Long term environmental programme
The largest proportion of the land is used for our in-hand arable farm, and for grazing sheep. Integrated into both of these activities is a long-term environmental programme, carefully managed to enable soil, birds, mammals and insects to flourish. The current Marquess of Hertford has been custodian of the estate since 1991, and has long been an advocate of what is now referred to as Regenerative Farming – which we have always believed to be best practice. This includes a minimum tilling process to reduce soil disturbance and diesel usage, coupled with bi-cropping and a diverse portfolio of planting to minimise the use of pesticides and herbicides. Our farm is LEAF marque certified, meaning we comply with a global assurance system which recognises more sustainably farmed products. Going one step further, we are also part of the national network of farmers and landowners growing for Wildfarmed using no pesticides, instead, bi-cropping wheat and beans to improve soil health and biodiversity.
Habitat for wildlife
Around 500 acres of the estate has been taken out of crop production and dedicated to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme for the benefit of the environment and wildlife. Half is made up of 6-metre wide, flower-rich field margins surrounding our arable fields, protecting hedges and watercourses, and providing a habitat for wildlife. The rest is planted with flowering plant species to create pollen and nectar plots providing food and shelter for birds, mammals and insects, or as wild bird food areas for winter food and shelter.
The estate also follows an integrated approach when it comes to balancing the needs of its commercial businesses. For example, around 1000 sheep and their lambs are moved from their parkland grazing at the start of the events season in early May, and the grass is then continuously cut and maintained by our farm team to keep it ready for event organisers and visitors. This requires us to allocate and rotate short-term and herbal leys for grazing elsewhere, balanced with the need to leave areas uncut during June and July to allow herbs and clover to flower. Most of the ewes are also with lambs at foot during this early period, so it’s important that they have quality grazing. Once ready, our farm manager will work closely with our butcher to ensure a steady supply of lamb for customers through the farm shop starting in August. Only after the grass has recovered and rested after the last event of the season can the sheep be brought back on to the park.
Woodland
Over 550 acres of the estate is woodland, made up of native broadleaf conifer varieties such as oak, ash, sycamore, hazel, horse chestnut, cedar, spruce and pine. Amongst these are over 120 registered veteran trees, with the oldest believed to be around 500 years old, dating back to the Forest of Arden. We have a programme of managed felling and replanting, targeting diseased and unsafe trees. Wood is processed in house at our sawmill to create products for estate maintenance and to supply the biomass boilers, heating several properties including Ragley Hall.
As part of our environmental commitment, we work closely with LEAF Education, colleges and specialist groups to create opportunities for people to visit the estate. Our community engagement programme brings students of all ages and backgrounds to the farm and woodland, to build their understanding of farming, food, rural careers and the importance of caring for our countryside.
For Ragley, like many modern estates, there is a balance between hosting events such as The Game Fair and protecting our environment for the future. This is made possible by careful management, co-operation and continual investment.
