North Wessex Downs National Landscape

27/10/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello to us at GreenFest in Newbury on Saturday! It was fantastic to meet so many people and connect with the other wonderful groups and organisations who attended the event. 🌿

As part of the day's packed programme, our FiPL and Funded Programmes Manager, Jemima Sellwood, gave a talk exploring the benefits of organic farming for soil health and climate resilience, the challenges involved in transitioning to organic systems, and the support available through the work of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape team.

Thank you to the Nature and Climate Network for organising such a brilliant event. 💚

26/10/2026

A collaboration in the North Wessex Downs National Landscape which will benefit nature as part of our Mend the Gap programme.

🌿🌳 Exciting conservation work is starting at Beale Park!

From Monday 26th October, we’ll be starting an exciting programme of nature recovery work at Beale Park, made possible through funding from the Mend the Gap programme.
The work will help us protect, restore and improve important wildlife habitats across our estate, particularly along the River Thames.
So, what will be happening?
🦇 Protecting our bats and wildlife - We’ve already completed an initial bat survey, and as work gets underway, a specialist ecologist and arborist will be working together on site to ensure tree works are carried out safely and sensitively, with the protection of wildlife at the heart of everything we do.
🌳 Willow pollarding - Some of our willow trees will be carefully pollarded to encourage healthy regrowth, support their long-term management and help maintain valuable habitats for wildlife.
🌱 New fencing - We’ll be installing a new fence line to create a secure area for future conservation grazing.
🐂 Our Highland cattle have an important job ahead! - Later in the project, our Highland cattle will be helping us manage riverside grassland through carefully controlled conservation grazing. Their grazing will help encourage a greater variety of plants and create healthier habitats for wildlife.
🔍 Wildlife and habitat surveys - We’ll continue surveying and monitoring the estate to better understand the wildlife that calls Beale Park home and guide our conservation work into the future.
You may notice some activity on the estate as this work gets underway. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to caring for this special landscape and helping nature thrive.
We’ll be sharing updates as the project progresses, including how our Highland cattle get on with their new conservation duties! 💚

This project was made possible with support from the Mend the Gap programme.

North Wessex Downs National Landscape

23/10/2026

🌍Thank you to everyone who joined us for the North Wessex Downs National Landscape's Annual Forum last week. The event brought together a wide range of people and organisations with an interest in the future of our landscapes, communities and environment.

From expert presentations to table discussions, the forum focused on understanding the impacts of a changing climate and identifying practical approaches to help landscapes, wildlife, communities and businesses adapt for the future.

A particular highlight was the collaborative workshop session, led by partners, which explored climate change adaptation and land management options, encouraging valuable discussion, knowledge-sharing and new perspectives.

Read more about the event via the website link below, and keep an eye out for more photos, highlights and key takeaways from the forum.

Thank you to all our speakers, workshop facilitators, attendees and partner organisations who contributed to such an engaging and thought-provoking day.

📸Photographs captured by the Hydra Creative Limited team!

22/10/2026

🗞We are pleased to hear about the success of the community drone scheme in Hampshire, which received funding through the North Wessex Downs National Landscape's Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

High-quality drone footage captured by trained volunteers enabled the identification of an offender responsible for poaching and criminal damage offences, leading to formal action being taken.

Inspector Stuart Ross told us: "The initiative has clearly demonstrated its value, significantly enhancing our ability to respond effectively and support efforts to tackle rural crime."

This is a fantastic example of partnership working, innovation and community involvement helping to protect our countryside, wildlife and farming communities.🚓

Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire & Isle of Wight Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary

At least three poachers are filmed as part of a rural crime project which uses civilian drones.

15/10/2026

A selection of stunning seasonal photos in the Mend the Gap area.

05/10/2026

🌌 𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤
How dark are our dark skies?

Since 2023, volunteers across the North Wessex Downs have been heading out on moonless nights with handheld Sky Quality Meters (SQMs), collecting data to help us better understand the quality of our night skies.

That local effort is now helping shape a new UK-wide dark skies network, building a clearer picture of light pollution and its impacts across the country, while making it easier than ever for individuals and communities to get involved.

✨ This citizen science project helps us monitor change, support better lighting practices, and protect both the beauty of our dark skies and the wildlife and ecosystems that depend on them.
📰 Read the full story on our website: Link in the comments

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📸 Photo credit: Gavin James, .co.uk

30/09/2026

We had a fantastic day on Monday bringing together Local Nature Recovery Strategy Leads and Farmer Group Facilitators working across our National Landscape. Spanning Wiltshire, West Berkshire, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, our National Landscape is 84% agricultural, making partnership working essential to delivering lasting environmental outcomes. It was a valuable opportunity to share ideas, strengthen connections and explore how collaboration can maximise nature recovery. Thank you to everyone who contributed to a brilliant day.

Our Wiltshire West Berkshire Council Hampshire County Council Oxfordshire County Council Wiltshire Wildlife Trust FWAG South East Wild Oxfordshire The Bear Hotel Hungerford

28/09/2026

Join us for our Annual Forum on 15th October.

This year we are focusing on the impacts of climate change on the North Wessex Downs, and positive solutions for adaptation and reducing emissions.

👀🔗👇to find out more and book

25/09/2026

🎉A big day yesterday for organic farming in the North Wessex Downs and Wiltshire with the launch of the Organic Transition Programme.

The day was hosted by organic farmer and Soil Association Chief Executive Helen Browning on her farm on the edge of the North Wessex Downs. An engaged group of local farmers heard about the potential for success with organic farming from Ocado , Doves Farm, the Soil Association, and the Organic Livestock Marketing Co-operative. This was followed by a delicious lunch, and a walk to learn about the farm whilst enjoying the stunning views.

Jemima Sellwood, from the North Wessex Downs team, has worked with the Soil Association’s Head of Farming, Kate Still to develop the programme to offer farmers:

📈 expert advice on creating a successful organic business
🌱 advice on the conversion process
👥 peer-to-peer mentorship from similar farmers who have already made the transition.

In addition, the programme will build local markets and link with local businesses to help boost local demand and allow farmers to access the market.

North Wessex Downs National Landscape, Helen Browning's Organic , Helen Browning's Royal Oak, Soil Association, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, Ocado, Doves Farm, OLMC

23/09/2026