Bucklebury Estate

28/11/2025

The past couple of months has seen a lot of change for the monastic fish ponds. We’ve cleared back the dense tree cover from both ponds which will allow more light to encourage more plants and invertebrates. We’ve dredged both ponds, removing a large volume of silt, giving the ponds more depth for a healthy ecosystem. There’s an all-weather path leading from the small car park to loop around the larger pond with a new bench to rest on, and finally, we’ve built four ‘leaky dams’ to help hold back water, creating additional wetland habitat.

It’s been a huge transformation for the area and we’re looking forward to seeing it flourish over the coming years.

This project is part of Partnership for Nature programme, it is lead by North Wessex Downs National Landscape, funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)‘s Species Survival Fund, and administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

25/11/2025

The cattle will be crossing the road once again to return to their first grazing area on Burdens Heath today (Tuesday 25th). They’ll be here for 2 days before moving to a new grazing area down on Lower Common, as shown on the map.

Please continue to give them space and keep dogs on a short lead when in the area

04/11/2025

This afternoon (04/11), the cattle will be moving to a new grazing pasture between Fannys Lane and Briff Lane.

Their location can be seen by either scanning one of the QR codes on site or by visiting the NoFence public map: https://grazingmap.nofence.no/

Please continue to give them space and keep dogs on lead

29/10/2025

We’re very pleased with how well the cattle re-introduction project on Bucklebury Common has gone so far.
The herd have settled in on the common and the public have been brilliant in giving them space. Read more about the work we’ve been doing by clicking the link

It is hoped the grazing will increase numbers of heathland birds, reptiles, bats and butterflies.

29/10/2025

Read about the return of cattle grazing to Bucklebury Common.

Part of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape's Partnerships for Nature Project working with the Bucklebury Estate. Funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)'s Species Survival Fund.

It is hoped the grazing will increase numbers of heathland birds, reptiles, bats and butterflies.

14/10/2025

🐮 Our herd of Belted Galloway cattle are almost ready to begin conservation grazing on Bucklebury Common.

They’ve spent the last 6 weeks together on the estate and have been busy learning the NoFence system. Their training has been going well so we’re moving onto the next phase.

Starting this week, the cattle will be grazing on Burden’s Heath. Whilst they are settling into their new environment, please give them plenty of space and keep dogs on a lead.

To see a live location for the cattle, scan one of the QR codes on the notice boards to be directed to the NoFence public map.

The Bucklebury Common conservation grazing project is part of Partnership for Nature programme, it is led by North Wessex Downs National Landscape funded by Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)’s Species Survival Fund, and administered by The National Lottery Heritage Fund

17/09/2025

Regular visitors to Bucklebury Common may have witnessed the changes taking place at the Monastic Fish Ponds.

The first phase of work is almost complete with the removal of scrub and trees from around the ponds. The ponds were heavily shaded by the density of trees in the area and the leaf litter has created a deep layer of mulch and silt within the ponds.

The next phase of work will see specialist aquatic dredgers coming to remove as much of the sediment as possible; creating deeper, healthier ponds.

There’s already a huge visual change to the area, watch this space for the finished result!

15/09/2025

We’re excited to see that work has begun to continue with the installation of all-weather footpaths across Bucklebury Common. This phase of footpath work will see almost 2.3km resurfaced with hoggin which will help to maintain access throughout the wet winters.

The newly surfaced paths will connect with existing trails and rights of way to create circular walks from our main car parks.

Please be mindful of the machinery moving across the site and keep dogs on leads at all times.

10/09/2025

🐄 Our herd of Belted Galloways have arrived 🎉

As part of the restoration of Bucklebury Common, a herd of 10 Belted Galloway heifers will be re-introduced to the common for conservation grazing

We’ll be using NoFence technology, a GPS based system which has been used extensively across Europe on similar systems with excellent results. It offers sites like Bucklebury Common the opportunity and flexibility to use livestock when traditional fencing isn’t viable.

Our cattle are currently on their training field off the common whilst they settle into the new environment and learn the NoFence system.
Once they’re confident, they’ll be taken out onto the common for year round grazing.

08/09/2025

The recent wet weather gave us the chance to see how our newly installed leaky dams and ponds performed.

As part of the restoration of Bucklebury Common, a series of 50 leaky dams have been created across all 5 of the recently cleared gullies. Leaky dams are a natural way to slow down the flow of water, helping to increase the flood water retention whilst also creating a vital wetland habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial species.

The gullies will continue to flourish over the coming years and we’re excited to see how they develop further after this promising start.

02/08/2025

Over spring and summer, the meadows on Bucklebury Common are left to grow wild which encourages grass and flora species to bloom, providing a home for a range of insects.

As the summer season comes to a close, these areas, including the green within The Slade, will be cut which encourages more growth next spring.