Tidgrove

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Tidgrove Tidgrove is an intimate and easily accessible, re-wilded Country Estate on the beautiful chalk downland of North Hampshire.

An evolving re-wilded country estate in Hampshire, home to some of the finest regenerated chalk downland in the UK as well as an important breeding site for the Stone Curlew Comprising period and listed properties surrounded by a mixture of parkland, lakes, woodland and rewilded farmland. Farming and sporting activities at Tidgrove can be traced back to King Henry II. Within easy access from London, Tidgrove lends itself to many private activities and events:

Filming location
Open air concerts
Outdoor cinema
Nature watching & research
Private conferencing & brainstorming
Wild camping and survival
Educational visits
Archaeological digs
Fly fishing

Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us that every plant and insect has its place.These striking black and orange str...
14/07/2026

Nature has a wonderful way of reminding us that every plant and insect has its place.

These striking black and orange striped Cinnabar moth caterpillars (Tyria jacobaeae) are feeding on common ragwort, their main food plant and an essential part of their life cycle.

Although we do not like ragwort in certain areas of the farm, especially where we are harvesting our chalk downland wildflower seed, we do keep some areas of ragwort and certainly allow it to grow in our scrub and wildlife areas. This helps support species such as the cinnabar moth while ensuring we can continue producing high quality native wildflower seed.

The caterpillars' vivid black and orange stripes are a warning to predators. As they feed, they absorb toxins from the ragwort, making them unpalatable to birds. It is a fascinating example of the intricate relationships that exist in nature.

It is all about finding the right balance between careful land management and supporting biodiversity.

Have you spotted any cinnabar moth caterpillars this summer?

📷 Charles Sainsbury-Plaice

A Record Breaking Day for Butterflies at Tidgrove EstateWe are delighted to share the results of the latest butterfly su...
06/07/2026

A Record Breaking Day for Butterflies at Tidgrove Estate
We are delighted to share the results of the latest butterfly survey carried out by Andy Bolton, and what an incredible day it was.
An astonishing 20 species of butterfly were recorded during a single visit, almost one third of all Britain's butterfly species. This is believed to be the highest species tally ever recorded at Tidgrove in a single survey and is a wonderful testament to the habitats developing across the estate.
Some of the highlights included the beautiful Brown Argus, Small Copper and the tiny Small Blue, shown in the accompanying photographs, alongside impressive numbers of Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites, Small Skippers and Peacocks.
The survey also recorded Pyrausta purpuralis and the nationally localised micro moth Sitochroa palealis, which represents a new 10 kilometre square record. This is particularly exciting because Sitochroa palealis is closely associated with Wild Carrot, which now flourishes across Tidgrove's meadows. Its caterpillars feed within the flower heads, making this native wildflower an essential part of its life cycle. Often overlooked as just another wildflower, Wild Carrot is in fact one of our most valuable native plants, providing food and habitat for a remarkable range of insects.
These results do not happen by chance.
At Tidgrove Estate we are working to create a landscape where butterflies, bees, moths and other pollinators can thrive. By restoring species rich grassland, reducing unnecessary mowing, creating sunny meadow margins and encouraging native wildflowers to establish and set seed, we are providing food and habitat from spring through to autumn.
Many of the plants we are encouraging have a specific purpose. Kidney Vetch supports the Small Blue butterfly, while Wild Carrot, Knapweed, Field Scabious, Devil's Bit Scabious, Wild Marjoram, Red Clover and Oxeye Daisy provide valuable nectar for butterflies, bees and hoverflies. We have also been introducing Horseshoe Vetch, one of the defining plants of Britain's chalk grasslands and the sole larval foodplant of both the Chalkhill Blue and Adonis Blue butterflies. As these habitats continue to mature, we hope it will help support an even greater diversity of wildlife in the years to come.
Allowing these plants to complete their natural life cycle creates a healthier ecosystem that benefits everything from insects to birds and bats.
Seeing species such as the Brown Argus, Small Copper and Small Blue, together with the discovery of Sitochroa palealis, tells us these habitats are becoming richer and more diverse each year. It is an encouraging sign that the work being carried out across the estate is making a real difference.

Thank you Andrew Bolton for carrying out the survey and helping us monitor the remarkable wildlife that calls Tidgrove home.

Butterfly Conservation North Wessex Downs National Landscape The Woodland Trust

Around 40 members of the Hampshire Ornithological Society visited Tidgrove this weekend to watch birds and enjoy the lar...
04/07/2026

Around 40 members of the Hampshire Ornithological Society visited Tidgrove this weekend to watch birds and enjoy the large numbers of butterflies and dragonflies. After an informative talk on Stone-curlews by HOS Chair, Keith Betton, everyone managed to see at least five of these fabulous birds, of which there are only 25 pairs in Hampshire. Hampshire Ornithological Society The Woodland Trust North Wessex Downs National Landscape Basingstoke Gazette Natural England RSPB

This photograph was taken here at Tidgrove Estate, where Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a familiar part of ou...
28/06/2026

This photograph was taken here at Tidgrove Estate, where Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) is a familiar part of our chalk downland. It is easy to overlook, but this modest wildflower supports one of the grassland's most remarkable hidden food webs.

Its flower spikes are home to the tiny Ribwort Plantain Weevil. The adult feeds on the plant, while its larvae develop safely inside the flowering stems.

That is only the beginning of the story.

Tiny parasitic wasps seek out the developing larvae, spiders and ground beetles hunt the adult weevils, and birds such as Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Whitethroats feed on the insects living amongst the plants. Higher up the food chain, Sparrowhawks rely on those same birds.

A single patch of Ribwort Plantain supports far more than a single species. It forms the foundation of a hidden network of plants, insects, spiders and birds that helps make our chalk downland such a rich and diverse habitat.

As we continue to explore the wildlife of Tidgrove Estate, we'll be sharing more of these hidden food webs, revealing how even the most familiar wildflowers play an essential role in supporting biodiversity.

"At Tidgrove Estate we believe that every native plant tells a story. By understanding these hidden food webs, we begin to see biodiversity not simply as a collection of species, but as a living culture that connects plants, wildlife and people."


North Wessex Downs National Landscape The Woodland Trust Hampshire Ornithological Society

On one of the hottest June days since 1976, this young labrador wasted no time taking his first dip in the new lake at T...
23/06/2026

On one of the hottest June days since 1976, this young labrador wasted no time taking his first dip in the new lake at Tidgrove. Afterwards, he found the perfect spot amongst the oxeye daisies to dry off and enjoy the sunshine.
It's wonderful to see the lake already thriving, providing a haven for birds, mammals and insects alike, all coming to drink, cool down and make the most of this valuable new habitat during the hot weather.. James Campbell

Again, we are delighted to see a successful hatch of Barn Owls at Tidgrove. This year, four healthy chicks are thriving ...
16/06/2026

Again, we are delighted to see a successful hatch of Barn Owls at Tidgrove. This year, four healthy chicks are thriving in the barn and, if all goes well, we look forward to watching them fledge over the coming weeks and begin exploring their new home.

Barn Owls are one of Hampshire’s most iconic farmland birds, relying on rough grassland, hedgerows and traditional agricultural landscapes to hunt for small mammals such as voles. Although conservation efforts have helped their numbers recover in recent decades, they remain dependent on suitable nesting sites and wildlife-rich habitats.

The presence of these four chicks is a wonderful sign that the habitats around Tidgrove are providing the conditions wildlife needs to flourish. We wish them every success as they grow, take their first flights, and begin life in the ecologically rich surroundings that make this corner of Hampshire so special. North Wessex Downs National Landscape Hampshire Ornithological Society The Woodland Trust RSPB Natural England

The little ringed plover returns each spring to some of Britain’s quietest corners, laying its beautifully camouflaged e...
31/05/2026

The little ringed plover returns each spring to some of Britain’s quietest corners, laying its beautifully camouflaged eggs among bare stone and earth. These remarkable images by Shane King, taken at Tidgrove, capture both the delicate elegance of the adult bird and the extraordinary vulnerability of its nest, perfectly hidden in plain sight. Hampshire Ornithological Society Test Valley Wildlife

A Haven for Lapwings in North HampshireLapwings (Vanellus vanellus) are once again nesting at Tidgrove Estate, a wonderf...
31/05/2026

A Haven for Lapwings in North Hampshire

Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus) are once again nesting at Tidgrove Estate, a wonderful sign that our restoration work is creating the right conditions for wildlife to thrive.

Our south facing fallow plots provide ideal nesting habitat for Lapwings and other ground nesting farmland birds, helping support species that are increasingly rare in the modern countryside.

With careful land management and habitat creation, Tidgrove continues to become a haven for biodiversity in North Hampshire.


North Wessex Downs National Landscape Andrew Bolton The Woodland Trust Hampshire Ornithological Society
Plover and chick - photograph by Shane King

A new lake today and how it may look in the future. In a country that is one of the most nature depleted on the planet w...
25/05/2026

A new lake today and how it may look in the future. In a country that is one of the most nature depleted on the planet we are trying to make a small difference, with the creation of water habitat among regenerated chalk downland.

Rosamund’s Water at Tidgrove Estate takes its name from Rosamund de Clifford, the celebrated companion of King Henry II,...
24/05/2026

Rosamund’s Water at Tidgrove Estate takes its name from Rosamund de Clifford, the celebrated companion of King Henry II, whose royal hunting lodge is believed to have stood just 200 yards from the lake itself. Set within Hampshire’s rolling chalk downland, the lake forms part of a wider vision to restore biodiversity and create a thriving mosaic of wetland, wildflower grassland, and wood pasture habitats.

As the lake matures, shallow margins and clear open water will support a rich variety of wildlife, from dragonflies, amphibians, and wading birds to swallows skimming the surface in summer evenings. The surrounding grasslands, managed for chalk downland wildflowers, will become increasingly species rich, while scattered trees and wood pasture planting will soften the landscape and provide shelter for insects, birds, and mammals alike.

At the heart of the lake, a small island crowned by a mature Scots pine will create both a striking visual feature and an important refuge for wildlife, its reflection mirrored across the still water. Roe deer visiting the water’s edge, butterflies moving through the wildflowers, and birdlife gathering in the shallows will together shape a landscape that feels both historically rooted and ecologically vibrant.

Rosamund’s Water is intended not simply as a lake, but as a living landscape where history, restoration, and biodiversity come together within one of Hampshire’s most distinctive natural settings.

The images show the lake as it is now as it slowly fill's and then a vision of Rosamund's Water in the future






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Tidgrove
London
RG253EN

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+447767810639

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