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'Conserve and sustainably manage the rural agricultural landscape and enhance the network of nationally and internationally important sites and semi-natural habitats associated with the distinctive geology and topography to create a coherent and resilient ecological network, enabling ecosystems to adapt to climate change and for the benefits to biodiversity, water flow, water quality and protection of the aquifer, soil quality, regulating soil erosion, rural heritage and culture.' (Mendip Hills National Character Area Profile, Statement of Environmental Opportunity (3))
At Longbottom Farm we're involved in some important conservation work - drystone wall restoration, new hedgerows and woodland, new ponds, and conservation of species-rich grassland...
Objectives:
At the macro scale – we aim to contribute to increased habitat and connectivity between Rowberrow Warren/ Black Down/ Dolebury Warren (SSSI) and Long Bottom/ Shipham Gorge/ the Mendip Woodlands (SAC)/ Cheddar Woods (SSSI)/ The Perch (SSSI) – pursuant to the aims of the Mendip ‘Super’ NNR (within which the farm is centrally located).
Locally, we aim to connect the adjoining woodland and scrub habitats to the northeast of the farm (Rowberrow Warren) to the existing elements of woodland and hedgerow to the south (Longbottom valley) providing continuation with habitats/ sites to the west.
The farm is within an area targeted for lowland meadow network expansion zone, and therefore any enhancement or creation of this habitat type would be of significance.
The work will implement habitats that are beneficial to known local populations of dormouse, reptiles (inc. adder), amphibians (inc. GCN), invertebrates, bats, and birds.
Longbottom Farm lies at a critical juncture in the landscape with the potential to greatly enhance connectivity - especially for dormouse which occupy a stronghold in the adjacent woodland. On-site advice has been provided by the Wildlife Trust 'Habitat Management for Mendip Dormice' project and the Peoples Trust for Endangered Species, recognised national experts in dormouse conservation.
The work seeks to enhance other aspects of the local landscape too:
To improve the conditions and setting of the Longbottom Camp Scheduled Monument (which is situated within the farm).
To improve the setting of the farm buildings (a historic local landmark) and the visual amenity of the local area, with reference to this well-visited location within the Mendips National Landscape/ AONB.
To enhance the public enjoyment and knowledge of the considerable historic, ecological and landscape features in this location.
Winter 2024/25
Winter 2024/25
The following works are being completed over the current winter period - with partial grant funding committed by Mendip Hills AONB Partnership and the Forest of Avon Trust:
Drystone wall restoration – the restoration of 172m of walling dating from the early 1800s and forming the northern boundary of the farm – for stock enclosure and as a prominent landscape feature in this hilltop location – managed to encourage reptile populations through rotation of adjacent scrub growth and hay meadows.
Restoration accords with the prescriptions for a standard Mendip dry stone wall as defined by the South West England Dry Stone Walling Association (uncapped, approx. 800mm wide at the foundations, 400mm wide at the top and 1/1.2 m high). The works will use existing stone and will not require the import of any materials.
Hedgerow (with trees), coppice woodland and wood pasture – We have also completed 630m of new native hedgerow with standards, connecting across the farm – to be allowed to grow to ‘tall and wide’ (allowance has been made for a total 5m width over time, or laying after 5-10 years). We have also planted corner pocket woodland, woodland strips and wood pasture which create additional habitat along and beyond these corridors.
In the hedgerow – Hazel, Holly, Blackthorn, Dog Rose, Yew, Honeysuckle, Field Maple, Dogwood, Guelder Rose, Elder, Spindle, Wayfaring tree and Hawthorn... lots of Hawthorn.
Additional hedgerow, woodland and wood pasture trees – Whitebeam, Oak, Crab Apple, Beech, Silver Birch, Small-leaved Lime, Field Maple and Scots Pine.
Grassland management - We have just completed out first year of management of the grassland - taking a late summer hay crop and then 'mob' grazing over winter - to encourage wildflower regeneration, improve soil health and microbial diversity, and support farmland birds.
Botanical surveys undertaken in 2024 identified areas of value: lowland meadow and calcareous grassland - with the potential to improve other areas of neutral grassland. We will continue to monitor our regime of hay cropping and winter grazing to see whether this improves the variety of flora and buglife.
Plans for 2025
Plans for 2025
We have big plans for the year ahead - including seeking funding to build three ponds - adding up to 600 square metres of water habitat to support invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, and birds in the local area.
We're also looking at the farmhouse - which requires a lot of work!
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