Saddlescombe Farm – Grazing that protects our landscape.
Just beyond the lively streets of Brighton, the rolling slopes of the South Downs offer a peaceful escape and a chance to discover how grazing animals can help protect one of our most precious landscapes. At Saddlescombe Farm, a historic National Trust site, conservation grazing is restoring the rare chalk grasslands that make this area so special; these grasslands are sometimes described as ‘Europe’s rainforests’, with up to 40 species of flowering plants in just one square metre.
Central to this work is Roly Puzey, the tenant farmer, whose passion for working with nature has shaped his approach to managing the land. Supported by the National Trust, Roly has introduced agroecological farming practices and now grazes his Sussex Red cattle across 440 acres of estate land.
The farm has shifted to rotational grazing, where cattle are moved every four days using temporary fencing. In winter, the moves are more frequent to protect recovering ground.
This method gives the land time to rest, improving soil and plant health. Healthier soil is able to capture more carbon and rainwater, reducing flood and drought risks. This managed yet natural way of grazing also encourages a more diverse range of plants to grow.
As you explore the area, you will also notice hedgerows of hawthorn, bramble and blackthorn, forming natural boundaries and creating valuable wildlife corridors.
Saddlescombe Farm also reflects wider national ambitions for a more sustainable countryside. Through DEFRA’s Countryside Stewardship schemes, the government aims to protect 30% of the UK’s land for nature by 2030, while still supporting food production. These incentives play an important role, but it is the ecological understanding and everyday care of farmers like Roly that help turn big national targets into real change that people here in Brighton can see and enjoy when they head out onto the Downs. To learn more about sustainable local meat, visit their website.
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