Land Management

Claydon Estate is a family-run, modern country estate. As stewards of 5,000 acres of rural land, we are committed to producing food, caring for more than 80 properties and listed buildings, and responsibly managing this beautiful corner of the Buckinghamshire countryside for future generations.

We believe a long-term view of good stewardship requires investment, sustainable land management and building strong local relationships.

Farming

As a landowner, we work closely with local contractors and tenant farmers to improve productivity, enhance biodiversity, and ensure long-term sustainability of farming practices on our land.

Claydon Estate’s in-hand farming specialises in combinable crops such as wheat, oats, oilseed rape, field beans and linseed, and we are proud to have tenant livestock farmers, whose award-winning South Devon cattle and large flocks of sheep graze freely across the parkland. 

Biodiversity

Being part of the government’s Countryside Stewardship scheme, means that we are committed to managing a landscape that is rich in wildlife.

Approximately 10% of our land is now wildflower-rich, through the planting of wildflower seeds, wild bird seed and pollen and nectar mixes, creating flourishing wildflower corridors that are a valuable food source for both pollinating insects and wild birds.

We work hard to manage and extend healthy hedgerows across the estate, providing vital shelter and food for wildlife.

We use grants and schemes to deliver environmentally beneficial projects. One recent example is in the creation of a 20-acre biodiversity site in partnership with Network Rail on the East West Rail line.

Woodland Management

Claydon Estate’s 600 acres of woodland is an important habitat for flora and fauna. We have an ongoing responsibility to maintain and protect all areas of the woodland, in particular the sites of specific scientific interest (SSSI), which provide a home to an extensive variety of wildlife and rare species.

We carefully manage our woodland in line with a Forestry Commission’s approved woodland management plan.