Caring for the environment is fundamental to everything we do. We take an ambitious approach to protecting and restoring the diverse landscapes on the Estate. Our goal is to support a rich, plentiful biodiversity and ultimately achieve net zero.
Natural capital is the stock of natural resources, including plants, animals, air, water, woodlands, soil and minerals.
In 2021 we conducted a Natural Capital baseline audit across the whole Estate to identify and assess all of our natural assets.
This audit enabled us to deeply focus on the environmental aspects of our 'Triple Bottom Line' strategy of balancing the environmental, social and economic needs of our local communities.
As a steward of the land we have a moral obligation to care for the earth and the waterways on the Estate, to engage in responsible farming, to nurture wildlife and to give back to Nature.
It is vital for us to establish more hedges, plant new trees and to improve water quality.
Our current long-term environmental goals include:
- increasing hedgerows from 38km to 50km to regenerate natural habitats
- planting thousands of new trees
- clearing out 60 estate ponds to nurture aquatic wildlife
- restoring a significant ancient peatland bog to sequester carbon
- introducing 85 beehives and large wildflower meadows to aid pollination
- converting an historic estate property into a sustainable organic farm, walled kitchen garden and community Care Farm to nurture mental and physical wellbeing and foster healing in nature
Planting trees is part of our environmental strategy and in 2024 we planted 8,500 trees along the River Dee in Farndon.
We selected a diverse mix of native species to ensure maximum biodiversity benefits and resilience to climate change, pests and disease – in total, over 25 species.
Wet woodland species such as willow, alder and downy birch were used in areas closer to the river which are susceptible to flooding, and we planted additional trees on the river bank with widely variable spacing and lots of open space to ensure a closed canopy does not arise.
The planting was designed to create a mosaic of woody habitats including riparian planting, wide spaced open grown black poplar and oak, low density scrub edges, wide rides and native broadleaf woodland.
The open grown trees were mainly black poplar, Britain’s rarest native tree, and a flood plain specialist that was common locally in Cheshire.
A large open area surrounded by individual trees was a result of consultation with archaeology specialists as there is an important bog iron works from 700AD in the middle of the site.
The work is part of our woodland creation scheme in partnership with Natural England, Mersey Forest and the Forestry Commission.
The video above shows our planting work and the video in our banner was taken a year later and shows how much our trees have grown.
The Estate operates a 10-year woodland management plan in conjunction with Tilhill Forestry. Their support covers a broad remit from woodland creation to management of existing commercial forestry blocks and also considering impacts on carbon and biodiversity.
Commercial forestry stocks include Norway spruce, Douglas fir, European larch and Poplar, with native broadleaf species on all woodland. Each year we commercially fell thousands of tons of wood for a variety of end-uses, including residential cladding and timber frame structures as well as for the pallet, chipboard and biomass market.
For sustainability, over 11,000 trees were planted in 2024 alone
to create 25 acres of new woodland. We are now embarking on a ‘Deescapes
Partnership’ project to plant 7.5km riparian corridor along the River Dee to
boost flood resilience and biodiversity.
Beekeeping is the oldest, highest form of agriculture and much of our daily food is highly reliant on bee pollination.
As pollinators, bees play a crucial part in every aspect of the ecosystem which is why we have established our own colony of bees on the Estate.
Edward Barnston, a keen beekeeper, introduced the first beehives onto the Estate in 2015, and we now have 85 beehives all helping to promote pollination across gardens, hedges, orchards and farmland.
As a land steward there is a simplicity in recognising the need to not battle but to collaborate with Mother Nature and enhance the natural capital in our small corner of the world for future generations.
Our happy bees produce a delicate honey which offers a taste of the Cheshire countryside. It's up the bees how much honey we can make each year so our honey is limited edition.
Barnston Estate was the first estate in Cheshire – and is currently one of only seven nationally - to receive the prestigious Wildlife Farms & Estates (WFE) Level Two accreditation.
The award is made to farms and estates that provide evidence of holistic and sustainable environmental, economic and social land management practices and who recognise the multifunctional role of rural business and land use.
WFE accreditation is a gold standard label of excellence in championing the enhancement of wildlife and biodiversity through independent assessment.
Securing Level 2 accreditation was hard work but it showed us areas that require more focus and confirmed other aspects where we are on track - which include balancing food production alongside enhancing biodiversity, unlocking Biodiversity Net Gain, raising the standards of land management expected by society and building a positive legacy for the future.
Deescapes is a partnership dedicated to restoring nature and supporting resilient farming across the Dee Floodplain.
By working together the initiative aims to create a landscape where high-quality food production and thriving biodiversity go hand in hand.
At the heart of the partnership is a commitment to restoring floodplain wildlife, enhancing water quality and ensuring farm businesses benefit from nature-based solutions.
By integrating sustainable land management practices, we aim to strengthen the resilience of both the environment and farming enterprises in the face of climate change and extreme weather.
Come and join our growing group of local volunteers to help us identify specific insects, birds and plants on the Estate or perhaps plant some trees with us. If you are interested in getting involved or finding out more, please email Barnston Estate Manager, Edward Barnston, at: info@barnstonestate.com