South Combe Farm

Executive Summary

South Combe Farm, located on the western slopes of the Salcombe Regis valley in East Devon, serves as a primary case study for the successful integration of commercial agriculture and ecological restoration. Managed by tenant farmers on National Trust land, the farm operates under a wholly grass-fed, Soil Association-certified organic system. It plays a critical role in the "Heath to Sea" project, demonstrating that food production can drive biodiversity recovery rather than hinder it.

Key achievements include the return of the rare Cirl Bunting, the implementation of data-driven habitat restoration—quantified by the "football pitch" metric—and a strategic focus on carbon sequestration to meet the National Trust’s 2030 Net Zero goals. The farm provides a blueprint for a regenerative countryside where active stewardship replaces both intensive simplification and passive abandonment.

Geographical and Ecological Context

South Combe Farm is situated within a landscape of international and national significance. Its management is heavily influenced by its specific environmental constraints and designations.

• Location: Salcombe Regis valley, East Devon (distinct from the Salcombe/Kingsbridge Estuary in South Devon).

• Designations: Part of the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Sidmouth to Beer Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

• Geology and Soil: The land is characterised by Upper Greensand capped by Clay-with-flints. This results in acidic, well-drained soils that limit the growth of floristically rich chalk downland species.

• Environmental Challenges: The clay-rich cliffs are subject to episodic landslides and coastal erosion, requiring resilient conservation planning.

The Philosophy of Stewardship and Economic Model

The farm operates on the premise that conservation is funded by sustainable commerce. By producing high-quality organic meat, the farm offsets the costs of environmental management.

• Organic System: The operation is certified organic by the Soil Association.

• Livestock Management: A herd of 90 breeding cows and a flock of sheep are managed under a wholly grass-fed system.

• Ecological Grazing: Cattle are used as "ecological tools." Their "trampling and munching" creates physical niches and disturbances in the sward, which allows low-lying wildflowers to germinate.

• National Trust Objectives: This model supports the National Trust’s goal of having 50% of its farmland managed under nature-friendly principles by 2025.

Nature Recovery Initiatives: The 'Heath to Sea' Project

As a "Regenerative Farm," South Combe is central to the "Heath to Sea" initiative, focusing on creating a connected ecological network.

Strategic Goals

• Habitat Conversion: Converting large sections of the farm into permanent pastures with high wildflower diversity.

• Carbon Sequestration: Following extensive soil testing in 2024/25, the 2026 management plan prioritises locking up carbon in the soil to contribute to the 2030 Net Zero target.

• Connectivity: Mapping new permissive paths to link the South West Coast Path at Salcombe Hill through the farm to inland woods, connecting human and wildlife networks.

Quantifiable Conservation Efforts

The farm uses a "football pitch" metric to communicate the scale of its restoration efforts.

Project Scale/Metric Purpose

Lowland Wildflower Meadow 5 Football Pitches Support nectar-loving insects

Linear Woodland 2 Football Pitches Create corridors for Dormice and Bats

Specialised Seed Mixes N/A Winter food (Sunflower, Radish, Linseed, Millet)

Nesting Sites 7 Large Bird Boxes Secure sites for Barn Owls, Kestrels, and Doves

Case Study: The Return of the Cirl Bunting

The survival of the Cirl Bunting at South Combe Farm is the most significant indicator of successful habitat management. After the UK population fell to 118 pairs in the 1980s, targeted efforts have increased numbers to over 1,000 pairs.

Habitat Requirements at South West Farm

The farm provides two essential seasonal resources for the species:

1. Winter Survival: Weedy stubble left after spring barley harvests provides necessary seeds.

2. Summer Breeding: Species-rich grassland margins provide protein-rich invertebrates and spiders for chicks.

"Our maritime grassland management is beneficial for these birds by providing a mosaic of differing age and structure of gorse and scrub for nesting in, and large areas of open grassland for feeding on insects and seeds." — Emma Reece, National Trust Area Ranger

Biodiversity and Data Analysis

Surveys conducted between 2023 and 2025 indicate a high diversity of species across multiple habitat types.

• Flora Types: A mixture of farmland plants, broadleaf woodland plants, hedgerow and scrub species, and grassland specialists.

• "Weeds": The presence of common weeds is intentionally maintained as a food source for birds and pollinating insects.

• Optimal Observation: Data suggests that June through August are the most rewarding months for nature observation at the site.

• Future Monitoring: A nature diary for 2026 continues to record casual sightings to build a more comprehensive species list for the site.

Conclusion: A Blueprint for Regenerative Farming

South Combe Farm refutes the notion that rewilding must mean abandonment. Instead, it advocates for "regeneration through active, thoughtful stewardship." By integrating science-backed conservation with a certified organic economic engine, the farm demonstrates a scalable model for a countryside that is simultaneously productive and biodiverse. The success of the farm poses a fundamental question for broader UK agriculture regarding the potential of making nature a partner in food production.

South Combe Farm near Sidmouth is featured on localized conservation, historical, and national trust directories.

Tucked away on the western slopes of the Salcombe Regis valley, this coastal working farm sits within the Jurassic Coast UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Sidmouth to Beer Coast Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is widely celebrated online as a model for blending productive agriculture with active ecological recovery.

The primary platforms featuring it include:

1. Sidmouth Nature (sidmouth-nature.uk)

This site features an extensive, dedicated standalone showcase titled "South Combe Farm: Beyond the Harvest — The Devon Farm Actively Growing a Wilder Future." It serves as the primary digital archive for the site's modern ecological data.

• The Conservation Tenant Model: The site profiles the farm as a forward-thinking blueprint for British agriculture. Operated by tenant farmers on National Trust land, it highlights how the property uses productive farming as the direct engine for habitat restoration rather than separating food production from conservation.

• The Cirl Bunting Success Story: The profile documents the farm's major role as a successful sanctuary for the Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), a rare songbird that faced near-extinction in the UK. By retaining overwintered stubbles and managing insect-rich field margins, the farm provides the precise seeding and foraging grounds needed to sustain a booming local population.

• The "Heaths to Sea" Framework: It documents how the farm's acidic Upper Greensand soils and clay-capped fields are managed collaboratively as part of the massive multi-landowner Heaths to Sea Landscape Recovery Project (2025–2045), helping link the coastal cliffs to the inland heath networks.

2. The National Trust (nationaltrust.org.uk)

As the landlord and ultimate custodian of the estate, the National Trust includes South Combe Farm in its tenant directory maps and regional land use agendas for the East Devon Coast & Countryside portfolio. Trust platforms highlight the farm's success in grazing cattle to maintain structural diversity in the adjacent clifftop grasslands, ensuring delicate ground flora isn't choked out by dominant scrub.

3. Walking & Trail Platforms

Because a series of popular public footpaths cut directly across the property—most notably the Salcombe Hill Circular Walk and connecting paths from the South West Coast Path—South Combe Farm is a frequent landmark on digital hiking maps. Walking trail notes use the farm's historic boundaries and fields to guide hikers moving between the high, exposed clifftops and the sheltered valley floor of Salcombe Regis.

Note on Digital Searching: If you are researching this location online, local databases advise making sure to specify Salcombe Regis or Sidmouth. It is frequently confused on broader search engines with "South Coombe Holiday Cottages" in mid-Devon or "Southcombe Farm" near Holsworthy.