Putting biodiversity first is at the heart of everything we do at Hepple, a 4,000-acre estate in the heart of Coquetdale, within Northumberland National Park.

For generations, this upland landscape was shaped by conventional agriculture, sheep grazing, managed forestry and game-driven land use. But since 2020, we’ve been steering the estate towards something different — a wilder, more resilient ecosystem driven by natural processes and careful, light-touch management. This shift represents a long-term commitment to working with and for nature.

Nurtured by our Conservation Manager, Mary Gough, our managed wilding approach aims to rebuild biodiversity from the ground up — from the soil, water and microscopic fungi right up to birds, mammals and plant communities. By focusing on natural processes, we hope to create habitats that are not only richer in wildlife, but also more robust in the face of climate change.

At Hepple we have:

• Changed our grazing regime by removing sheep and introducing Highland and longhorn cattle, Mangalitsa pigs and Exmoor ponies to create a bigger range & complexity of dynamic habitats which in turn should support a greater abundance and variety of wildlife. This work has also included deer control.
• Restored and extended wetlands and peatland hydrology to hold water across the landscape, improving habitats and supporting insects, amphibians and birds. This work is also important for increasing our carbon storage, enhancing water quality and our increasing resilience to wildfires.
• Encouraged natural regeneration of native trees and scrub species — including birch, oak, pine, rowan, willow and aspen — allowing woodland to expand where conditions are right.
• Removed kilometres of internal fencing to create a more connected, free-flowing landscape.
• Converted to organic and chemical-free, aiming to improve soil health and increase invertebrate diversity.
• Created and implementing a monitoring framework, including a citizen science element, to track changes in nature and provide opportunities for more people to get involved.
• Working in partnership with our neighbours and conservation organisations to help deliver at bigger scales and move plans for species recovery forward. 

This work has been shaped by partnerships with academic institutions, conservation scientists and traditional land managers, helping us understand what is changing on the ground and adapt our management as the landscape responds.

Even in just a few years, Hepple is beginning to show the benefits of this nature-led approach. We’re seeing a richer array of dragonflies, butterflies and plant communities - particularly around our new wetlands. Grassland and heathland habitats, benefitting from the varied grazing regime, are developing well. On the moorland, birch is marching outwards, giving the hills a soft, fuzzy green glow.

By letting nature do more of the work — while still providing gentle support where needed — we’re helping build a landscape that is more diverse, more dynamic and more resilient.

Hepple Wilds isn’t just for wildlife, however. Visitors, volunteers and local people are an important part of the story too. Led by ecologist Richard Thompson we host guided walks, immersive experiences and events that invite people into the landscape, offering opportunities to learn about nature recovery while enjoying spectacular views, fascinating wildlife and the elemental beauty of upland Northumberland. 

And there is still so much more to do. In the coming years we’ll continue expanding habitat connectivity, strengthening populations of native species, and sharing what we learn with other land managers through networks like the Wilder Northumberland Network.

We have many more ideas that we hope to bring to fruition and so far the results are promising. We’re proud to be playing our part in Northumberland’s nature recovery story.