Common Spotted Orchid

A photograph from Stephen, our keen-eyed land agent, of the Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii) seen in the valley yesterday. 

For the past however many years, we have farmed the pasture land of the Iford valley with species conservation in mind.  As proud landlords to a large colony of greater horseshoe bats (and accompanying Special Site of Scientific Interest), and with part of the estate in the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this valley is never going to be appropriate for intensive agriculture - and nor should it be.