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WHEN
YOU think of a safari you would normally
imagine tracking the big five across the
wild plains of Africa. However, as I found
out when I visited Knepp Castle, it is
possible to experience a safari which is
just as exciting and much closer to home.
Knepp
Castle Estate, in West Sussex, owned by CLA
member Sir Charles Burrell, is rich in
history. Until recently most of the land on
the estate was devoted to traditional arable
and dairy farming, but in 2001 Sir Charles
was forced to recognise this was no longer
economically viable. Disheartening as this
was, it gave him the chance to embark on an
exciting project: to restore the old listed
park around the house and allow the land to
go back to nature. The result is an
educational experience like no other.
Today
1,500 acres of land at Knepp are part of a
project to develop a natural grazing regime.
This has been so successful that another
1,000 acres are now being allowed to go
wild, supported by Natural England and the
Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.
Because
Knepp is so unusual there is a real need to
educate the public, landowners, farmers
and children about what the estate is doing.
Sir Charles says: "There will always be
people who think we have taken the wrong
route with the estate and that it should be
in intensive agricultural production, but
the most important thing is that everyone
can come and see for themselves and make
up their own minds."
Since
the estate started offering free educational
access visits in 2001 everyone from local
councillors to conservation advisers has
visited. Most visits take place in the
summer when wild flowers are in abundance
and fallow deer are in their prime. So on a
chilly winter day I found myself not in the
bespoke carrying trailer which ferries
visitors around the Estate, but in Sir
Charles' car enjoying a personal safari.
HORSE
SENSE "2,400 acres of land at Knepp
are part of a project to develop a natural
grazing regime"
The
Estate is stocked with a variety of grazing
animals that are free to roam across
untreated fields filled with birds, insects
and grasses. We spot fallow deer, Exmoor
ponies and longhorn cattle and drive through
fields full of creeping thistle and pastures
and water meadows ideal for waders.
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TAMWORTH
TIME Sir Charles Burrell with one of
Knepp's most popular attractions
There
is so much to learn; the history of the
ponies, the mating rituals of the deer and
the variety of plant communities now
thriving. The Tamworth pigs are nowhere to
be seen, but it is enough to know they are
there.
Because
the animals are in effect wild, some
people may have reservations about visiting
Knepp. Sir Charles says: "Some people
may feel apprehensive about being out in the
open with the longhorns, but because our
herd is a mix of ages and sexes there is a
good balance and the animals are
relaxed."
For
younger explorers visits are tailor made,
but typically cover everything from the
history of the estate to orienteering. One
visit can incorporate IT, photography, art
and drama. Julie, who coordinates the school
visits, says: "Some children who find
it hard to
express themselves
find that outside their communication skills
really improve."
There
is, however, one activity that really stands
out. Julie says: "All the children
absolutely love dissecting owl pellets to
see what they have been eating! It is
disgusting - but lots of fun!" Pupils
from the local school have camped overnight
learning how to make fires, put up tents and
toast marshmallows. She says: "It is a
wonderful bonding exercise and really helps
them get to know each other."
Older
students have also found Knepp a useful
agricultural resource. Students from
Plumpton College are frequent visitors and
the Estate has been the subject of many
University research dissertations.
The
wonderful thing about Knepp is that it is an
educational resource for all generations. It
reconnects you not just with nature, farming
and food, but also with the experience of
wild animals - a rarity in modern Britain.
On a sunny day
I get the feeling that Knepp would feel less
like a rural English county and more like a
savannah.
factfile
For
more information or to arrange a group
visit, please contact the agent Jason Emrich at
Savills on
01403 741235 enquiries@knepp.co.uk
www.knepp.co
www.cla.org.uk
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