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Goodnestone Park

The Manor House

12 Bedroom / 24 Guests Book now

Goodnestone Park

Bonnington Cottage

2 Bedrooms / 4 Guests Book now

The Wider Estate

In the heart of rural Kent

The Goodnestone Park estate comprises approximately 2,000 acres of land in the heart of rural Kent. Primarily made up of arable land, woodland and parkland pasture, the estate takes a holistic approach to land management. Most of the agricultural land is farmed by Nonington Farms, who are recognised by the global farming organisation LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming).

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Goodnestone Park Gardens-49
Managing the wider Estate

Much of the estate and all of the woodland is run within a Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Large areas are planted with wildflower meadows and species-rich grassland to encourage biodiversity. The 150 acres of parkland around the mansion and gardens are grazed by Sussex Cattle over the summer months.

Improving and maintaining the environment is an important aspect of management at Goodnestone Park. In 2021 the estate commissioned The Kent Wildlife Trust to carry out a Natural Capital Appraisal to identify levels of biodiversity across the estate. The report has provided us with a baseline assessment of our natural assets.

It highlighted areas dedicated to the removal of carbon from the atmosphere and areas suitable for biodiversity enhancement. It also indicated enhancements to the recreational, health and education benefits provided by the garden and public access.

 

Bike-In-Countryside
Well connected

The estate is well connected to cycle routes and public footpaths, which run across much of the land surrounding the main house and gardens. The Serpentine Walk, reinstated in 2014, is of particular note.

The walk follows a route that would have been familiar to Jane Austen when she visited her brother Edward who lived on the estate. The Serpentine Path winds its way through the parkland, blending with the surrounding landscape and allowing fine views of the mansion. It passes areas of historic wood pasture, an early Ice House and extensive chalk grassland.

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