Wildlife success story on The Lizard

I suppose that when 'The National Trust' is mentioned first thoughts for many will be of grand country houses in their ownership. Not surprising really given that these properties are the most obvious interface between the Trust and the public. Now I am as interested in the built environment as anyone but they are also a very major landholder in England and Wales and their decisions can have a profound effect on what happens to nature in this larger estate.

The National Trust have developed a huge expertise in nature conservation: one aspect of this is their small biosurvey team which looks at the natural history of the sites owned by the Trust. They have visited over 1000 so far. Going back 30 years they recorded what they found at Lower Predannack Farm, a 70 hectare holding on the west side of the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall. Back then the results were very poor but careful management on this tenanted farm including grazing of the cliff tops has led to radical improvements to the wildlife regime. I believe that clauses favouring wildlife tend to get written into the tenancy agreements for the Trust's holdings these days and there is no doubt that the NT has developed huge expertise in this area. The Lizard is well known for certain rare clovers, as well as many other special plants, and it seems that controlled grazing, a frequently used technique of the Trust, has delivered spectacular results at this site.

I'm writing about this now as the most recent survey by the biosurvey team has just been published. Interestingly, and I suspect no coincidence, is the fact that this Sunday's 'Countryfile' programme majors on the Lizard area. Apart from its fascinating geology and wildlife I find that there is something 'other world' about it, something I've noticed before about peninsulas and one of the reasons I love them so much. Another aspect of peninsulas to be enjoyed is the obvious fact that they are on the road to nowhere else and thus are spared the heavier traffic you find elsewhere. Slightly different with the Lizard as you will find the hordes descending to visit the southernmost this and the southernmost that but you can quickly get away from the tourists if you so desire.

One further thought - although the National Trust have been very successful in using the likes of moorland ponies and Dexter cattle to get a good grazing regime (it has helped with the short turf that the recently returned to Cornwall choughs for example particularly like) but other places such as our high moors are getting less grazing. So ramblers for example are finding places like Dartmoor increasingly affected by scrub which also has the effect of hiding more of the archaeological treasures to be found on the uplands. Worryingly more farmers seem to be getting out of livestock and, in just a few years, I can envisage quite a different landscape as a result of changes in farming priorities.

National Trust make Wembury purchase

I have to say that I have a very soft spot for the Wembury area just east of Plymouth. It's not that it is a particularly spectacular part of our peninsular but it is nevertheless truly delightful. Although geographically close to Plymouth it has managed to avoid being enmeshed by that city's spreading tentacles; the fact that it lies in the South Devon AONB, that the National Trust have holdings here and that there is an active amenity society have all helped Wembury to retain its country feel. Yes its lovely little beach gets very crowded at times but a few minutes walk from this mass of humanity and its large car park full of shiny metal gets one into another world.

The "Wembury Peninsular" is bounded on the east side by the River Yealm and Cofflete Creek and its the sylvan west bank of the latter that forms Wembury Wood. The National Trust have just signed a deal to buy part of this wood which I understand will adjoin Hollacombe Wood, happily in the care of the Woodland Trust. This is great news because public access to the wooded banks of these creeks is quite limited. When people talk about the scenery of Devon and Cornwall attention is normally focused on the Moors and the Coast. That's understandable for sure bearing in mind the wonderful views and good walking opportunities they present. But I would like to sing the praises of our drowned river estuaries (or rias) and the deep woods that so often clothe their banks. Ideally viewed from a canoe there are still some examples such as at Lerryn in Cornwall where the rambler can enjoy that combination of trees and water.

Wembury Parish is criss-crossed by a number of paths and of course there is the coast path hugging the shoreline as well. It's always very satisfying to spend a day there.

National Trust to buy Godolphin House

In 1999 the National Trust bought 580 acres of the Godolphin Estate lying just to the south of Leedstown in West Cornwall. Now the Trust are purchasing the Grade One listed Godolphin House from the Schofield family.

The house goes back to about 1475 and as its name implies was once the home of the famous Godolphin family who built up their wealth via the tin mining industry. Not only is the house of great interest but the inclusion in the purchase of the garden is of equal importance as it is considered to be one of the best historical gardens around.

We are absolutely blessed with fine gardens in Cornwall and it is great news that this one has been added to the National Trust's portfolio. I have to admit that I have never visited the Godolphin Estate, let alone the House while it has been in the Schofield ownership. Maybe a few days holiday in that part of Cornwall would be nice when I can afford it.