Berkeley Farm
Berkeley Farm is 150 hectares (370 acres) of land in the north-east of the Stourhead estate. It is the size of 255 football pitches. The farm sits in low-lying land next to White Sheet Down, a chalk ridge sitting c. 70 m above the farm. The farm straddles the head waters of the River Wylye, an important chalk stream in Wiltshire. Over the years the river has been straightened, deepened and ditched to drain the land for agricultural improvement.
A visualisation of the farm in the future – photo credit:
The farm has been conventionally and intensively farmed as both a dairy farm and for arable, with year-round cropping. In 2023, the farm was returned to the National Trust and over the coming years, you will see the landscape below you transform as nature is fully restored.
Berkeley Farm is next to White Sheet Hill. ©National Trust Images/James Beck.
Nature
In restoring the headwaters of the River Wylye this landscape will welcome back an abundance of wildlife not seen for years. Chalk streams are the most biodiverse freshwater system in the UK and one of the rarest habitats on Earth. A mosaic of habitats surrounding a central wet zone will include rush meadows, fen, seasonal ponds and scrapes, scrub, wet woodland and species-rich grassland.
Berkeley Farm from the air in 2024. ©National Trust Images/James Beck.
Whilst areas of the farm are being restored, some fields will continue to be cropped for arable, maintaining important agricultural practices. This will allow food production to continue whilst allowing both farming and nature to have a symbiotic relationship, helping each other to improve and thrive in ever more challenging conditions.
History
History is found across the Stourhead estate. This once wet and sodden wilderness would’ve provided life-giving water for the early settlers who made White Sheet their home here over 5,000 years ago. Over centuries cattle, ducks and other livestock were driven to market along the old London to Exeter Way. Notice the old guide stone or milestone inscribed with: ‘XXIII MILES FROM SARUM 1750’ for farmers and travellers passing through.
A scheduled monument turnpike stone guide or ‘milestone’ overlooking Berkeley Farm.
Countryside Code
Respect everyone
- Leave gates as you find them.
- Do not block access to gateways when parking.
- Be polite to others and share the space.
Protect the environment
- Take your litter away with you – this includes dog poo!
- Keep dogs under control and in sight.
- Care for nature and don’t cause any disturbance.
- Do not light fires or BBQs.