We are passionate about providing children with opportunities to explore their local natural environment, yet fewer and fewer children in today’s society have the chance to do so. Many of Berkshire’s 55,000 children live in major towns, such as Slough or Maidenhead. Opportunities to explore nature in these urban landscapes can be scarce, leaving thousands of children to grow up with little connection to nature. We want to reverse this trend by positively engaging with these children.

Over the next 12 months, we will sensitively restore the estate’s derelict stable block using natural, environmentally-friendly materials and technologies where possible, to transform it into an environmental education centre. To bring the educational programme alive, we will employ a full-time education manager, and we will create an outdoor classroom on some of the land surrounding the stable block, consisting of an orchard, ponds and a tree trail through the existing arboretum.