The Bolton Estate’s mission is to be a thriving example of social, environmental and economic sustainability, preserving and enhancing the history, culture and biodiversity at the heart of Wensleydale.
We work closely with national bodies such as Natural England, The Environment Agency, the Salmon & Trout Association and the Moorland Association amongst many others.
In December 2000, Harry Orde-Powlett of the Bolton Estate (The 8th Lord Bolton), received an important award from English Nature for the Estate’s work in regard to nature conservation on the SSSI’s, which make up over 2,000 ha of the Estate lands.
Nature conservation
The Bolton Estate includes significant areas which have high nature conservation value. Approximately half of the heritage land is considered to be of outstanding scientific interest. Four Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) fall completely or partly within the heritage area. The largest SSSI, of which part is within the heritage area, is Lovely Seat – Stainton Moor SSSI which is also part of the North Pennine Moors Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and Special Protection Areas (SPA). There is also Ox Close SSSI which is also designated as a SAC. The remaining SSSIs are at Wanlass Grasslands south of the river Ure and at Thowker Corner.
Wildlife
We have had a wildlife camera installed on some ponds we dug a few years ago. They were done by our Headkeeper to benefit wildlife, but are now also being used as part of a Natural Flood Management project, which is being funded by DEFRA and part of The Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers (SWEF) group, which we are a part of.
West Bolton Pond Telemetry
We also have a telemetry unit on the same pond tracking live data: View telemetry information