South Combe Farm

Picture a classic English farm. You might imagine a productive landscape, but often one where complex historical habitats have been simplified, their wildness lost over time. Now, imagine a different kind of farm—one engaged in the deliberate act of reversing that loss, where the hum of insects is as important as the lowing of cattle, and where the success of a rare songbird is a key measure of the harvest.

This is South Combe Farm. Tucked away on the Devon coast, it is a working farm that doubles as a thriving wildlife sanctuary. Operated by tenant farmers on National Trust land, it is at the forefront of a quiet revolution, challenging the idea that productive agriculture and ecological restoration must be separate endeavours. It is a place built on a powerful premise: that farming can be the engine of nature’s recovery. But can a single farm truly make a difference, proving that food production and large-scale conservation can go hand-in-hand?

South Combe Farm is situated on the western slopes of the Salcombe Regis valley in East Devon, a short distance from the coastal town of Sidmouth. It is crucial to note that this location is distinct from the well-known Salcombe/Kingsbridge Estuary in South Devon, a common point of confusion. The farm’s environment is not one of a sheltered estuary but of a dramatic, high-energy coastline.

The farm’s fields and woodlands are embedded within a landscape of national and global importance. They form part of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site and fall within the Sidmouth to Beer Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). But this is a landscape defined by both its beauty and its constraints. The local geology of Upper Greensand capped by Clay-with-flints creates acidic, well-drained soils, which limits the potential for the floristically rich grasslands found on chalk downlands. This is not a place for easy wins; its ecology demands management tailored to these specific conditions.

Furthermore, this is a geologically dynamic area, where the challenge of coastal erosion is a constant reality. The clay-rich cliffs are subject to episodic landslide events, demanding resilience and foresight in every conservation plan. For those wishing to see it firsthand, public footpaths, including the Salcombe Hill circular walk, offer access through this remarkable and ever-changing landscape.

The farm is owned by the National Trust and tenanted by Nicola Westlake and her family, who have embraced a philosophy of deep stewardship. Their entire operation is certified organic by the Soil Association and is built around a wholly grass-fed system. A herd of 90 breeding cows and a flock of sheep graze the species-rich pastures, their grazing a vital part of the restoration process. The "trampling and munching" of the cattle is a carefully managed ecological tool; it creates physical niches and disturbances in the sward, promoting varied grass height and open ground vital for the germination of low-lying wildflowers.

This model is not just an environmental choice; it is the indispensable economic model that makes the conservation possible. By producing high-quality, organic meat that fetches a premium at market, the family can offset the significant costs of environmentally protective land management. This symbiotic relationship between commerce and conservation is the practical engine that funds the work, aligning perfectly with the National Trust’s ambitious goal to have at least 50% of its farmland managed on nature-friendly principles by 2025.

Perhaps the most powerful validation of the farm’s approach is the return of the Cirl Bunting. Once one of Britain’s most threatened farmland birds, its population plummeted to just 118 pairs in the 1980s. Thanks to a concerted 25-year effort by farmers, the RSPB, and the National Trust, its numbers have rebounded eight-fold to over 1,000 pairs—a true conservation success story.

The Cirl Bunting’s survival depends on two very specific, season-dependent resources, both of which are intentionally provided at South Combe Farm:

• For winter: Weedy stubble, left in the fields after a spring barley harvest, provides a crucial supply of seeds to see the birds through the coldest months.

• For summer: Margins of species-rich grassland provide the essential supply of protein-rich invertebrates and spiders needed to raise healthy chicks.

The confirmed presence of at least one pair of Cirl Buntings at South Combe is more than just a welcome sighting; it is proof that the farm’s targeted management practices are working. Emma Reece, a National Trust Area Ranger for the area, explains the crucial synergy between management and habitat:

'Our maritime grassland management is beneficial for these birds by providing a mosaic of differing age and structure of gorse and scrub for nesting in, and large areas of open grassland for feeding on insects and seeds.'

This isn't conservation by guesswork; it's a strategic, data-driven investment in nature's recovery. To understand the scale of this investment, the farm quantifies its efforts, often using a surprisingly relatable metric: the football pitch.

• A new lowland wildflower meadow, equivalent in size to five football pitches, is being created to support thousands of nectar-loving insects.

• New linear woodland, the size of two football pitches, is being planted with native, fruit-rich shrubs to create safe corridors for protected species like the Dormouse and Bats.

• Complex seed mixes—including dwarf sunflower, fodder radish, linseed, mustard, quinoa, red millet, and white millet—are sown specifically to provide a high-energy winter food source for birds like the Cirl Bunting, Linnet, and Yellowhammer.

• Seven large bird boxes have been installed to provide secure nesting sites for iconic species like Barn Owls, Kestrels, and Stock Doves.

Quantifying these initiatives transforms broad conservation goals into a tangible and auditable investment, providing a clear measure of the commitment to rebuilding a functioning ecosystem within a working agricultural landscape.

Analysis of the site from the accessible footpaths reveals the diversity of the habitat types on the South Combe Farm. An even mix of farmland plants together with broadleaf woodland plants, those associated with hedgerow and scrub as well as a number of grassland specialists. There are also a good number of everyday 'weeds'; ideal for pollinating insects and food for birds.

The Sidmouth Nature survey only had access to the publicly open areas of the farm but data recorded of observed species shows a wide spread of animal and plants present. The full totals for the whole site will be far more impressive than this humble assessment.

As one would expect, the summer months from June until August are the most rewarding for the nature enthusiast to visit.

South Combe Farm serves as a powerful, living example of how modern farming does not have to be at odds with nature. By integrating a certified organic system with targeted, science-backed conservation, it demonstrates that sustainable agriculture can become a primary engine for biodiversity recovery. This is not rewilding by abandonment, but regeneration through active, thoughtful stewardship.

The farm offers a hopeful blueprint for a different kind of countryside—one that is both productive and bursting with life. It leaves us with a compelling question: If one tenanted farm on the Devon coast can achieve this, what could our broader agricultural landscape look like if we decided to make nature a partner, not a problem?