Last week, Rewilding Britain held their first ever in-person event, and they held it in Derbyshire! The Rewilding Network Event was a national gathering of rewilders from all over the United Kingdom, getting together to discuss issues and challenges, and to exchange ideas. As part of the event, attendees visited a Wild Peak site, walking round Haddon Medieval Park on the Haddon estate and learning about Derbyshire rewilding directly from the land-managers at one of our largest, longest running rewilding sites. 

Under the stewardship of Lord Edward Manners, the Haddon estate has been gradually moving along their rewilding journey for over 20 years, when they first began river works to create a more natural flow. In the last 2 years, this work has escalated, with the adoption of a new Higher Level Stewardship scheme enabling the team to rewild their intensively managed arable fields. They have also reduced their stocking density so that their long-horned cattle will act as ecosystem engineers for the whole site, rather than heavily grazing a limited space. 

Following the launch of the Wild Peak Network in November last year, our team approached Haddon to join us and push for nature’s recovery in the Peaks. As well-known guardians of their corner of the Peaks, the work Haddon do to run a financially viable business and regenerate their land, will encourage neighbouring land-managers that they can do the same. Through showcase examples of rewilding in action, land-managers feel supported to start their own journey. To our excitement, Haddon agreed to join Wild Peak!  

‘It’s refreshing to meet someone [Wild Peak team] with viable ideas and solutions!’ - Gareth, Haddon Farm Manager 

So, this week the Wild Peak team and a cohort of rewilders visited the Haddon estate to explore what rewilding looks like in the Peak District. Jan Hobot, Haddon's River Keeper, began proceedings with an introduction to the long-running river works, the leaky dams he’s creating and the sustainable fishery that brings in an income. Then, we walked along the river and up the hill, where Gareth Bown, Haddon's Farm Manager, introduced us to his cattle, and what he’s learnt from opening up hedgerows and handing land management over to his herd. 

At the end of the visit, we heard from Suzanne Howard, Haddon Medieval Park's Coordinator.  Nature-based tourism and educational outreach is a huge part of Haddon’s strategy, and Lord Edward is investing in visitor facilities to support this new venture. With 23 nature-walks planned this year alone, Suzanne is creating an exciting opportunity for people to engage with rewilding in Haddon Medieval Park. The Peak District is lacking in opportunities to engage with wildlife, so this growing business is an exciting example of what can be done to reconnect our communities with our landscape. 

Throughout the visit, the rewilders asked questions – learning from Haddon’s specialist staff, and even challenging their work! What are you doing about your invasive species? Would you consider reintroducing lost species? Why have you moved your hedgerows? How has ash dieback affected your tree-planting? What do your neighbours think of the changes? It was an educational visit all round, and encouraging to have these discussions as land-managers at different stages of rewilding. 

The following day, the group sat down to reflect on the visit and take part in critical thinking on the big issues in rewilding today. Topics included finances, public opinion, bureaucracy of species reintroductions, and working with other rewilders to bring our communities along on this journey of nature recovery. The workshop explored the hope that projects like Haddon Medieval Park represent, and reiterated the importance of networks like Wild Peak in giving land-managers an opportunity to connect and to share knowledge as we navigate rewilding our landscapes. 

To learn more about Haddon’s Medieval Park, visit their website www.haddonhall.co.uk/medieval-park. To learn more about Wild Peak, email wildpeak@derbyshirewt.co.uk or visit our website https://www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk/wild-peak