The
Estate
Run by father and daughter, Hugh and Hermione, Cothelstone Estate places nature, heritage and community at its heart. Managed holistically, the estate integrates its organic farm, ancient woodlands, environmental schemes and historic buildings to create a haven for people and wildlife.
Organic Farm
Our family farm is certified Organic and Pasture for Life and we embrace regenerative practices. Our suckler herd of Aberdeen Angus X Red Devon cattle graze historic permanent pastures and diverse herbal leys, living out all year eating only grass and forage grown on the farm.
Land Stewardship
A mosaic of floristic margins, wild bird seed cover, beetle banks and bumblebee mixes wind their way through the farm, creating diverse habitats and supporting important ecosystems. From colourful waxcap fungi in the autumn to charms of goldfinch in the summer, there is always an abundance of plants and wildlife at Cothelstone.
Woodlands
Ancient woodlands band across the higher slopes of the estate, with smaller copse’s, spinnies and groves threading their way through the farmland. Our woodlands are full of natural treasures, from Amethyst Deceiver Fungi to Red and Roe Deer.
Community
The estate is home to a community of diverse makers, farmers, growers and artists, many of whom contributed to the restoration of the Manor; our builder, decorator, carpenter, website designer, upholsterer and photographer all live on the Estate. Our cottages are home to 37 local people, the longest of which has lived on the Estate since 1945.
History
Cothelstone Estate has been in the same family since 1791 and is rich in history. Cothelstone Manor was built in the mid-16th century and in 1646, during the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell ordered its destruction by canon fire because John Stawell, lord of the Manor, was a royalist. The right-hand wing and first floor of the house were demolished and the house left abandoned.
The canon fire missed Cothelstone Gatehouse, which has remained almost untouched since the mid-16th century, making it a very special historic building.
In 1791, the Estate was purchased by Edward Jeffries and in 1814, was passed to his grandson, Edward Jeffries Esdaile, who married the daughter of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley.
Between 1817-1820, Esdaile built a new principle residence, Cothelstone House (right), where the family lived. Cothelstone House was demolished in 1968, due to a lack of money and changing society in a post-war Britain.
Between 1855-56 Esdaile rebuilt Cothelstone Manor in the style in which the Stawell's had lived before the Civil War.