Quietly secluded in two-thousand acres of pristine Cornish farm and woodland, Penheale remains idyllically rural. Yet, it remains highly resilient and has steadily evolved to adjust to and serve the demands of an ever-changing outside world. Owing to decades of responsible stewardship, Penheale also stands well-placed to counter current and future challenges faced by the estate and the wider world.
Organic and low-impact farming:
Penheale continues to support and advocate for organic and low-impact farming – ever since the 840-acre conversion from conventional farming at Hole Farm and Trillacott. Following a decade of organic ‘in hand’ farming starting in 2001, this has been continued by farm tenants, providing an enduring “win-win” for the environment and farm business.
With far fewer inputs long-term, the land has flourished with increased biodiversity and the soil nutrients – a result not possible via the conventional use of pesticides. This has allowed Penheale to steer clear of the many environmental negatives presented by intensive over-farming and the use of pesticides, mitigating the chilling spectre of: “Only 100 harvests left in UK farm soils”.
Tenanted properties:
The estate is committed to conducting rigorous annual property inspections. This will ensure defects can be quickly identified and mitigated to guarantee a high standard of living for tenants and to avoid the vicious downward spiral of depreciation.
Penheale’s residential dwellings imbue heritage and character, and are mostly Grade II listed. Accordingly, the importance of their preservation, to the highest possible standard, cannot be understated – for the enjoyment of all tenants and the continuity of the Penheale story. View the latest property vacancies here.
Managed woodlands:
The estate is home to a wide variety of broadleaves and conifers of all ages, scattered over 89 acres of forestry. Split over 27 plantations across Penheale, woodlands are professionally managed to ensure woodland regeneration, continued diversity and the control of pests and diseases.
Although not a primary business, the reinvested revenues from timber and firewood sales support its self-sufficiency and long-term woodland management, that will continue to enhance Penheale’s natural capital and biodiversity.
Sustainable strategy:
Opportunities that are environmentally and financially sustainable are the cornerstone to Penheale’s long-term strategy. It is a relationship where environmental stewardship meets profit. The estate regularly considers new opportunities, assessing their long-term financial feasibility in addition to their value in fulfilling long-term objectives.
Penheale also has an expanding range of live, non-profit projects, dedicated to conserving natural habitats and increasing the estate’s natural capital (view here).
