© Tom Francome
Ebdon Farm
A beacon for nature's recovery on the North Somerset Levels and Moors
Our most ambitious project yet - letting nature lead the way
Avon Wildlife Trust has acquired a former dairy farm on the North Somerset Levels and Moors, called Ebdon Farm.
This is our most ambitious and exciting project to date, transforming 44 hectares of land close to the Severn estuary.
Thanks to a generous grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, our vision of a climate resilient future at Ebdon Farm, for wildlife, farming and people, has taken a huge leap forward.
Since acquiring the site in March 2025, we've been busy learning about the land and engaging with the local community. This new funding will allow us to start the first phase of our exciting plans, co-creating a space where wildlife and people can thrive together.
A bold new future at Ebdon Farm (https://youtu.be/gw_F10qCdFY)
A bold new future at Ebdon Farm
© Tom Francome
Snipe, Fergus Gill/2020VISION
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The story so far
After acquiring Ebdon Farm in March 2025, work began to learn from the land and survey the wildlife that was calling it home.
Our expert team alongside help from ecologists, hydrologists, topographical surveyors and landscape designers.
Key findings
Wildlife is present but is hanging on at the edges in low numbers
Lots of bat species are using the area to feed
There are newts present in small areas on the site
The water table (level of water saturation below the ground) is very low during the summer
Nutrient levels in the soil and waterways are high
All of these findings helped us to design a wetland area in the North of the site, containing features such as large ponds that will stay wet all year round, as well as some ephemeral ponds that will dry up in the summer. Wet woodland and the restoring of a Victorian ridge and furrow system which will become a wet meadow. The wetland features will be rainwater fed with the exception of an area where we will trial natural filtration of the water through a reedbed.
Community Feedback
We have worked closely with the local community throughout the discovery phase of the project. We’ve spent learning what’s important to people living locally and co-created a community area with a new area opening to the public which will include seating, accessible pathways and features to help pollinators. We are also restoring an old orchard in partnership with local educational centres.
(c) Stephanie Chadwick
Supporting our vision
We’re grateful to one of our long-standing supporters, Sir Peter Lord, animator, director, producer and co-founder of award-winning Aardman Animations.
Sir Peter has been a member and supporter of Avon Wildlife Trust for more than 20 years and has donated generously towards our ambitions to purchase new land for nature.
“I had a delightful visit to Ebdon Farm and this project is a wonderful and inspiring one. I admire the team’s knowledge and enthusiasm for the site, and I can’t wait to see nature return and thrive here. I hope others will be inspired to support Avon Wildlife Trust too.”
Sir Peter Lord
Water vole ©Terry Whittaker/2020VISION
Keeping up to date
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is special about Ebdon Farm?
Ebdon Farm is within an area of Coastal and Floodplain Grazing Marsh classified as a priority habitat. It is perfectly placed to provide connectivity and a vital stepping stone between existing designated sites and the Severn Estuary, which is a site of international importance.
To make a meaningful positive difference to biodiversity, we need more land managed for nature. Ebdon Farm is an opportunity to accelerate this process.
Avon Wildlife Trust is also focusing efforts on climate adaptation, to help prepare for the effects of a changing climate. This includes approaching land management in a way that builds future climate resilience.
Habitat creation and improvement will ease the pressure on species that are vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate, such as wading birds on intertidal areas.
What are the plans for Ebdon Farm?
Since acquiring Ebdon Farm in March 2025, we have been learning about the land and the species that live there, as well as hearing from the local community about what they'd like to see at the site.
We have co-created detailed plans for the wetland designs and the brand new community area, as well as plans for the two houses on site, which will become holiday lets.
We have a vision for Ebdon Farm as a place where nature thrives at the heart of the community.
Can I visit Ebdon Farm?
As we are at the beginning of the project, there is currently no visitor infrastructure or car parking.
There is a bridleway across the farm, but there will be hazards away from the bridleway. If you do visit the area on foot, please keep to the bridleway and away from outbuildings and structures that may be unsafe.
We will provide regular updates including images from the site.
How has Avon Wildlife Trust acquired the land?
We received support from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation who purchased the land on our behalf. The Trust leased the land and had two years to buy the land from Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, through fundraising.
The farm was auctioned on the open market in reasonably sized plots.
Avon Wildlife Trust has secured funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to buy the land and to support the next phase of the project.
We have also received generous support from long-standing member Sir Peter Lord, who has inspired our vision for acquiring land for nature.
The Ebdon Farm project is made possible by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thank you to National Lottery players.
© The National Lottery Heritage Fund