Celebrating the impact of Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) in the Kent Downs

The Kent Downs National Landscape is a place where nature, heritage, and farming come together to create something truly special. Covering 878 square kilometres (339 square miles) across Kent’s coast and countryside, it is home to rolling chalk hills, ancient woodlands, and rich biodiversity. 

For centuries, this landscape has thrived due to the dedication of farmers and landowners who work to balance agriculture with conservation. Thanks to the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, supported by Defra (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), a range of projects have been delivered to enhance biodiversity, promote sustainability, and strengthen the local economy. 

© Explore Kent

Over the past year, FiPL has funded 57 projects in the Kent Downs, investing a total of £1,117,360 into restoring landscapes, supporting sustainable farming, and connecting people with nature.

Here’s how real people, real farms, and real projects are making a difference in the Kent Downs—ensuring future generations have the skills and knowledge to protect and care for the land. 

Reviving traditional landscapes 

The landscape of the Kent Downs has been shaped by generations of farmers and landowners. The old farmsteads, hedgerows, and woodlands are more than just features of the countryside; they tell the story of this land. Some of these heritage structures and landscapes have been lost over time, but through FiPL, they are being restored and revitalised. 

In the heart of the Downs, Elmsted Court Farm Cart Lodge had stood for generations as a traditional farm building, but time had taken its toll. Weathered and in disrepair, it risked becoming just another forgotten relic of the past. But through FiPL, this historic structure has been carefully restored using local materials, ensuring it remains a functional and integral part of the rural landscape. This restoration is more than just preserving bricks and timber. It is about keeping the traditional character of the Kent Downs alive; celebrating its architectural heritage while ensuring that old farm buildings continue to serve practical agricultural purposes. 

In the Low Weald Landscape, a new way of farming is taking root. The Farming and Nature Together project at the Commonwork Trust is bringing together a cluster of farmers to work collaboratively, developing a landscape-wide approach to biodiversity and soil health. Instead of working in isolation, these farmers are sharing expertise, resources, and best practices to create a stronger, more resilient agricultural system. By embracing sustainable practices—such as reducing pesticide use, improving soil health, and connecting habitats—this project shows that farming and nature can exist in harmony. 

Building climate resilience 

The Kent Downs, like much of the UK, is feeling the effects of climate change—hotter summers, wetter winters, and more unpredictable weather. But instead of just reacting, farmers are adapting, finding ways to make their land more resilient. 

At Brookwood Farm in Brook, history is being restored in a way that also safeguards the future. Over 800 metres of hedgerows have been planted, re-establishing traditional field boundaries that had been lost over time. These hedgerows do far more than mark out fields. They provide shelter for livestock, create essential corridors for wildlife, improve soil stability, and help store carbon. Alongside this, over 3,100 metres of fencing has been installed, allowing for better grazing management and reducing soil erosion. 

The Farming and Nature Together initiative, led by The Commonwork Trust at Bore Place in Chiddingstone, is bringing local farmers together to tackle climate challenges head-on. Working with ten farms in the local cluster, the project is driving positive change by promoting sustainable practices that benefit both agriculture and the environment. By reducing reliance on artificial fertilisers, improving soil health, and enhancing water retention, farmers are building resilience against droughts, flooding, and extreme weather. These efforts are strengthening the Kent Downs landscape, creating a healthier balance between farming and nature despite environmental challenges. 

Connecting communities with the land 

Farming is about more than just the land, it’s about the people who live, work, and depend on it. FiPL is helping to reconnect people with the countryside in new and meaningful ways through community-led farming projects to hands-on training opportunities.

At Nepalese Community Farm in Postling, a vibrant community space has been created, offering one acre of shared land where members of the Nepalese community can come together to learn, grow, and connect with nature. A newly built community shelter serves as a hub for educational workshops, communal meals, and cultural exchange, strengthening community ties and preserving traditions. This farm is a place of belonging, where people of all ages can gain skills in organic growing, sustainable food production, and rural life. 

For young people looking to build careers in conservation, the Training in Protected Landscapes (TiPL) programme offers a unique opportunity. This paid, year-long ranger placement provides hands-on experience in habitat management, conservation, and public engagement. Meanwhile, the Wye Community Farm’s Skills for the Future project is giving aspiring farmers the chance to gain practical training in livestock care, machinery handling, and sustainable farming. These initiatives are ensuring future generations have the skills and knowledge to continue protecting and working the land. 

Restoring natural habitats for a thriving ecosystem 

The Kent Downs is home to some of the UK’s most threatened species, but many of its traditional habitats have disappeared over time. Now, efforts are underway to bring them back. 

One significant loss is the historic dew ponds, which once provided vital water sources for livestock and wildlife. The Heritage Ponds Project is working to reverse this decline by identifying and restoring these long-lost ponds. More than 1,600 lost ponds have been mapped using LIDAR technology and historic records, allowing conservationists and volunteers to bring them back to life. The ambition is to restore some of these ponds to create essential habitats for amphibians, insects, and birds, including the Turtle Dove and Great Crested Newt, both of which have suffered severe population declines. 

At Stockbury Orchard, a community-led restoration project is giving a neglected 70-year-old orchard a new lease of life. With 129 new fruit trees and strengthened hedgerows, the orchard is both a source of food and a vital refuge for pollinators, birds, and small mammals. Traditional orchards like this are part of the Kent Downs’ rich ecological heritage, and their revival is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in the area. 

A collective effort for a thriving Kent Downs 

The impact of Farming in Protected Landscapes in the Kent Downs goes beyond individual projects, it’s a shared commitment from farmers, conservationists, and local communities working together. It is about recognising sustainable farming and environmental conservation are not opposing forces, but two sides of the same coin. 

With more than £1.1 million in funding, these projects show when people come together with a shared vision, real change is possible. From restoring traditional landscapes to pioneering regenerative farming, FiPL is demonstrating that protecting the environment and supporting livelihoods can go hand in hand. 

 How you can get involved 

The momentum behind FiPL is growing, but the work is far from over. Continued investment, support, and community involvement are essential to building on these successes.

If you are a farmer or landowner, FiPL could help support your efforts to adopt more sustainable practices. If you are a local resident, there are plenty of ways to get involved, from volunteering with conservation projects to attending community events. And if you simply love the Kent Downs, you can help by spreading the word about these incredible projects and encouraging others to support them.