Guardians of the Green: Six Historic Estates Leading Environmental Stewardship
While heritage houses are often celebrated for their architectural beauty, grand interiors, and storied pasts, many are also quietly pioneering a more sustainable future. Across the UK, several estates on HeritageXplore are blending centuries-old stewardship with modern environmental responsibility. From large-scale rewilding to eco-conscious tourism, these houses are proving that history and sustainability can go hand in hand.
1. Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire
At Doddington Hall, sustainability is not a trend - it’s a hundred-year commitment. In 2021, the estate launched 'Wilder Doddington,' an ambitious rewilding project that will see 770 hectares of former arable land returned to nature. With traditional farming retired, the estate has introduced low-impact grazers such as Lincoln Red cattle, Mangalitza pigs, and Exmoor ponies to mimic natural processes. Internal fencing has been removed, wetlands are being restored, and biodiversity is already rebounding. The estate also engages the community through its 'Wilder Connections' program, providing education and volunteer opportunities.
2. Broughton Sanctuary, Yorkshire
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, Broughton Sanctuary is home to one of the UK’s most forward-thinking nature recovery programmes. Over 1,000 hectares of former grazing land are being transformed through regenerative farming, tree planting, and wetland restoration. More than 1,000 species have been recorded here, and plans are underway to reintroduce native animals like beavers. The sanctuary's holistic approach to landscape healing blends ecology, wellbeing, and community.
3. Trewithen House, Cornwall
Known for its remarkable woodland gardens and rare plant collections, Trewithen House is a botanical haven. But behind the scenes, the estate is also committed to sustainable land management. Restoration projects and organic practices are at the heart of their approach, with an emphasis on habitat conservation and protecting biodiversity across its 200-acre parkland.
4. Caerhays Castle, Cornwall
A short drive from Trewithen, Caerhays Castle is equally dedicated to the natural world. Famed for its internationally important collection of magnolias and exotic flora, the estate also participates in tree planting and conservation initiatives. In 2023, Caerhays joined the Queen’s Green Canopy project, planting hundreds of Malus trees to honour Queen Elizabeth II. The estate’s gardens are a living legacy of early 20th-century plant hunting and a testament to long-term custodianship.
5. Stonor Park, Oxfordshire
Surrounded by the rolling landscapes of the Chiltern Hills, Stonor Park is as rich in biodiversity as it is in history. The 250-acre estate features landscaped gardens, an arboretum, and ancient parkland that supports a thriving population of fallow deer and native wildlife. With a strong emphasis on sustainable land management, Stonor blends heritage and nature to create a place of serenity and stewardship.
6. Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Britain’s most visited stately homes, Blenheim Palace is also a leader in sustainable tourism. With a goal to become carbon negative by 2025, the estate has implemented a wide range of green initiatives: electric vehicles, local supply chains, biodegradable materials, and waste reduction schemes. Visitors are encouraged to travel sustainably, and the estate is working to make every element of the guest experience as environmentally conscious as possible.
These six houses represent a growing movement within the heritage world—one that recognises that stewardship of the past must go hand in hand with care for the future. Through rewilding, regeneration, and innovation, they are reimagining what it means to be a custodian of the land in the 21st century.
