The Doddington Estate is 6 miles from Lincoln, and at its centre stands Doddington Hall. Historically Doddington was a little visited historic house and a conventional farm with minimal public access from a small number of footpaths and bridleways. Since 2007 it has vigorously diversified with accommodation, shops, cafes, weddings, events and new permissive access trails; now employing 200+ people, attracting 300,000+ visits a year, and 80,000+ online audience.
The 770 hectare Doddington Estate of woods and farmland is on marginal grade 3 land, and struggled to break even in the face of increasing costs, extreme weather events and tapering EU subsidies. Inspired by projects like Knepp Wildland and Wild Ken Hill, the opportunity to play a more positive role in the face of the climate and biodiversity emergencies was spotted, and in 2021 arable farming ceased and an estate-wide nature recovery initiative, Wilder Doddington, began. This is supported by a Natural England Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Wilder Doddington is the largest inland area devoted to nature in Greater Lincolnshire.
To conserve, restore, enhance and protect the natural and cultural heritage of Doddington for the long-term benefit of the wider community.
To enable the wider community to benefit from the many opportunities arising from Doddington’s natural and cultural heritage: learning, volunteering, research skills development and wellbeing.
Wilder Connections is designed to build the business models, partnerships and capacity to ensure the long-term impact of Wilder Doddington and its ecological, social and economic outcomes.
Using money raised by the National Lottery, The National Lottery Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future: www.heritagefund.org.uk
Each week, thanks to National Lottery players, £30 million is raised for good causes across the UK.
“We are thrilled to work with Doddington” said Julian Free, Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln. “Wilder Doddington provides an excellent field site for us, and through Wilder Connections we will be able to connect a much wider range of students and staff with this beautiful location and build the knowledge and skills needed for a healthy future for citizens and the planet.”
