The Midlands team are delighted to invite you to a bespoke visit to Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate and the Cheshire AGM.

Grosvenor’s Eaton Estate, Cheshire, is located on the outskirts of the city of Chester and has been home to the Grosvenor family since the 1400s.

Focused on rural Cheshire, the estate’s activities range from managing and constantly improving property and places, producing high-quality foods through an award-winning dairy and arable farm working by the principles of regenerative agriculture and circular farming, to manufacturing sustainably grown British timber.

The estate manages 750Ha of woodlands to enhance biodiversity, for their amenity value and to help combat the local effects of climate change as well as the production of sustainable raw materials for use across Grosvenor’s rural estates. It is also responsible for managing part of the River Dee Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – a protected conservation area designated for its flora and fauna that includes wild Atlantic salmon, otters, and rare species of dragonfly – two nature reserves that are managed in partnership with the local Wildlife Trusts and more than 100 Ha of wetlands as well as one of the UK's largest hay meadows, much of which was planted in the last several years.

The day will begin with the AGM and an update on the latest issues affecting members by CLA Deputy President Gavin Lane. This will be followed by an introduction to the Eaton Estate by Annabel Farbon, Agent, Eaton & Halkyn Estates.

The day will include guided tours of

• Eaton Courtyard: The Eaton Hall Courtyard was created as part of a grand rebuilding scheme which began in 1870, commissioned by Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, then the third Marquess of Westminster (who later became the First Duke of Westminster in 1874). The Hall was refurbished as well as new additions, including the Courtyard buildings to provide stabling for horses and accommodation for the staff involved in their care. The Courtyard remains an important amenity on the estate and it makes the facilities and its employees' time available for events.  
  
  
• Eaton gardens: The gardens of Eaton Hall extend to 88 acres and have been developed over many years by prominent designers, most recently by Lady Arabella Lennox-Boyd. They have a wide variety of planting, including four formal colour-themed rose gardens and grand colour-themed herbaceous borders. The gardens also contain a walled Kitchen Garden, Camellia Walk, a wildflower garden, lake walk, and a Dutch Tea House, featuring roses and herbs. Each year, the gardens are opened to the public for charity.
  
  
• Natural capital baselining: For the first time across Grosvenor’s rural estates, the organisation has recorded all the living things that make up its environment, such as biodiversity, woodlands, wetlands and grasslands, which provide so called ecosystems services, benefits such as carbon capture, natural flood mitigation and better air quality – enabling it to make more informed decisions that promote nature recovery and climate resilience. The estate’s expert teams have been working with specialist consultants and partner organisations to undertake an extensive ground truthing exercise through a series of science led surveys, including soil organic carbon sampling .
  
  
• Habitat enhancement – Southern Deer Park: As part of plans to enhance biodiversity across the estate, in 2020 new deer fencing was erected, the 300-acre park was split and the deer moved to the northern park. To help restore lost habitats, the southern part of the park has been transformed into one of the UK’s largest hay meadows using native species from a nearby Site of Special Scientific Interest.

During a two-course lunch you will also hear from Greg Vickers, Head Forester, and Rupert Waters, Operations Manager, Grosvenor TimberWorks, who will  present the estate’s nascent venture Grosvenor TimberWorks, which processes sustainably grown British timber, and its woodland management, after which you will be invited to undertake an optional one-hour tour of the facility. Please note you will need to drive to Grosvenor TimberWorks’ mill. Address details will be provided on the day.

Please ensure suitable footwear and clothing is worn as the tours will take place outdoors.

PROGRAMME
 9am Arrival and refreshments
 - AGM
 - CLA Gavin Lane, Deputy President update
 - Welcome from Annabel Farbon, Agent, Eaton & Halkyn Estates
 - Guided tours commence
 - Two course lunch
 - Optional tour of Grosvenor TimberWorks (self-drive required)
2pm Depart

 

If you have any questions or would like to book a ticket please contact midlands@cla.org.uk or contact the Midlands office on 01785 337010.