In eastern England’s rural south Lincolnshire, a bold initiative is underway to transform a 617-hectare arable farm into a pioneering example of rewilding and nature restoration. Boothby Lodge Farm, once dominated by intensive cultivation and little wildlife, was purchased in late 2021 by Nattergal, a company co-founded by Sir Charles Raymond Burrell, 10th Baronet, with the aim of radically changing land management and demonstrating a new approach to farming and conservation.

Located south of Grantham, Boothby Lodge Farm was typical of modern British agriculture: over 90% of the land was devoted to ploughed fields primarily producing wheat and beans, with the remaining woodland managed largely for pheasant shooting. The farm operated as a business owned by an absentee landlord, leased to tenants who lived off-site and relied on contract farming. Although profitable, a significant portion of its income came from government subsidies scheduled to be phased out by 2027 in favor of payments for environmental outcomes.

Burrell, whose family estate Knepp in West Sussex has become a model for successful rewilding since 2000, envisions a similar transformation here. Knepp’s project, which shifted away from conventional farming toward ecosystem restoration and allowed free-ranging herbivores to reshape the landscape, has become widely recognized for boosting biodiversity while remaining financially viable. Leveraging this experience, Burrell and his team aim to convert Boothby Lodge into Boothby Wildland—a landscape where farming is largely abandoned in favor of natural processes.

The rewilding plan entails stopping crop production within three years, removing artificial drainage systems, and allowing native plant species to regenerate spontaneously. In five to seven years, free-ranging herbivores such as cattle, ponies, pigs, or possibly bison will be introduced to recreate natural grazing dynamics. These animals are considered essential for maintaining soil health and preventing dense woodland overgrowth, thus fostering a diverse habitat for plants and wildlife.

Boothby Wildland’s business strategy is intertwined with emerging environmental policies, notably the government’s Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) framework, which requires developers to create or contribute to additional natural habitats equivalent to 10% more than what existed prior to construction. Where onsite creation is not feasible, developers may purchase BNG units from projects like Boothby. Additionally, carbon credits generated through reduced ploughing and habitat restoration offer another revenue stream. While traditional subsidies are expected to diminish, new grants supporting eco-friendly management remain a potential income source.

The project has engaged local communities through village hall meetings in surrounding villages such as Boothby Pagnell, Ingoldsby, and Bitchfield. Early dialogues revealed initial concerns over the loss of food production, particularly from some residents, but also evidence of growing acceptance that farming models must evolve. Nattergal’s employment of Lizzie Lemon—a local with conservation experience—as site and community coordinator reflects a commitment to maintaining positive local relationships.

Boothby Wildland also secured funding through the government’s Landscape Recovery Scheme, aimed at large-scale environmental restoration projects, underscoring official support for this innovative approach. Burrell’s effort challenges traditional perceptions of farming in Britain’s “bread basket” region, illustrating how land stewardship can shift toward biodiversity and ecological resilience while pursuing economic sustainability.

As Boothby Wildland progresses, it remains to be seen whether the project will fulfill its ambition of reversing biodiversity decline and demonstrating that large-scale rewilding can coexist with profitable land management in the United Kingdom.