Belmont Estate: The power of collaboration and reconnecting with Nature

Belmont Estate was born out of one family’s wish to reconnect with Nature. Today, it spans over three distinct UK sites, each location playing a vital role in Belmont’s mission to restore biodiversity, combat climate change and demonstrate the transformative power of working with nature.

At the heart of where it all started, lies Belmont Estate. What was once an intensively farmed land has undergone a remarkable transformation into a thriving mosaic of habitats. Through rewilding and restoration, Belmont has become home to many native species. This space is where farming and Nature intertwine.

The Power of Natural Grazing

At first, cattle occupy the field, ripping the grass with their tongue, creating spots of higher grasses. Then comes the ponies, pinching the grass between tooth and pad creating shorter grazed fields. Varying between these two animals creates structural diversity in the fields of the estate, says Henry Rossiter, opening niches for wildlife and invertebrates. It also creates a more resilient landscape, enhancing the soil biome and equipping it to cope with moisture loss due to climate change. Through their rotational natural grazing method and year-round field grazing, the animals at Belmont participate in a healthy regenerative cycle.

Watercress Farm: Pioneering Rewetting

A standout project at Belmont is Watercress Farm, where the estate has pioneered a groundbreaking rewetting initiative. Once a degraded agricultural land, this site has been transformed into a wetland paradise. By restoring natural water flows and reintroducing native vegetation, Belmont has created a vibrant ecosystem that supports a wealth of species, from amphibians to waterfowl. The project, showcased in their inspiring Watercress Rewetting video, is a testament to the power of restoring natural processes. It benefits biodiversity – more than 2,420 species have been recorded – and helps mitigate flooding and improves water quality, demonstrating how rewilding can deliver multiple environmental benefits.

Rewilding on a Grand Scale in Scotland

In Scotland, Belmont’s land is being rewilded on a grand scale. This site, with its rugged landscapes and vast potential for restoration, is a key part of the estate’s vision for large-scale ecological recovery. By allowing natural processes to take the lead, Belmont is creating a connected, resilient landscape that supports iconic species like Golden Eagles, and Pine Martens. The Scottish site also plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration, with its peatlands and forests acting as vital carbon stores.

Across all three sites, Belmont is committed to education and community engagement. Through workshops, volunteer programs, and partnerships with business, schools and universities, the estate is inspiring the next generation of conservationists. Their community volunteer days offer hands-on opportunities for people to get involved in rewilding, fostering a sense of stewardship and connection to the land.

Belmont’s success is built on collaboration. The estate works closely with conservation organisations, researchers, partnering firms and local communities to amplify its impact. Whether it’s through joint projects, carbon offsetting schemes, or educational outreach, Belmont is proving that rewilding is welcoming us to reconnect with the land while restoring nature.

From the wetlands of Watercress Farm to the wild landscapes of Scotland, the estate is rekindling hope for a greener, wilder and more collaborative future.