Le Chameau x National Trust: Where comfort meets chickens

It’s true: the world’s finest Wellington boots and Europe’s largest conservation charity is in collaboration. The result, our most sustainable product yet, the exclusive Le Chameau x National Trust Vierzon boot.

That’s right, Le Chameau has designed – in time for our icon Vierzon boot’s 60th anniversary – a special range of Vierzon with the National Trust, inspired by our shared respect for quality and craftsmanship and advocacy for the natural environment.

We know, you know that our boots are expertly crafted to be elegant, comfy and reliable, we don’t have to tell you that. What we do want to share with you, though, is what we have been up to this autumn season with this latest collaboration.

To celebrate the collaboration, where luxury meets heritage, we visited two NT locations to meet a member of their team who has been using our new and exclusive range of Le Chameau x National Trust Vierzon boot for the past year.

Emma Warner is Farm Manager at Wimpole Home Farm in Cambridgeshire. On a blissful warm day, just as the land around turned from summer greens to rusty hues of red and orange, we asked Emma how she was getting on with the boots working at the farm and what it meant for her to be working outside in the elements. Emma has been wearing a pair of Le Chameau x National Trust Vierzon boots for the last twelve months.

Tell us a little about your role at Wimpole Estate, and why did you become a farm manager?  

I have been Farm Manager here for the last 22 years, and I love it. It’s all about being close to nature, being in the outdoors and looking after the animals. When I first started here, I was only working with the horses, but since then I’ve slowly moved to each aspect on the farm working with the pigs, cattle, sheep, poultry, and just about everything else. I always enjoy learning and getting stuck into different aspects on the farm.   

“Being a part of the farming season as it unfolds throughout the year is a special thing.”  

Then, when the opportunity came up to become the farm manager, I grabbed it with both hands, and now it’s really nice to be able to oversee all of those different departments of the farm with all the different members of the team. Every season brings with it new jobs to do, and I love that. Being a part of the farming season as it unfolds throughout the year is a special thing. 

What do you farm at Wimpole Home Farm?

We currently have two herds of cattle here on the farm, the Shetlands and Irish Moiled. We have five sheep breeds on the farm including, the White-faced Woodland, Norfolk Horn, Portland, White Border Leicester and Oxford Down. We have our heavy horses; the Shires and we've just recently reintroduced the Suffolk Punch. The Punch is a critically endangered breed, so we are excited to bring it back to the farm. We also have pigs and poultry, I won’t list all the breeds, but I do love the Black Orpingtons and the Salmon Faverolles, they're quite striking.   

What's your favourite animal to handle on farm?   

Definitely the Shires and Suffolk Punch horses. They have been my passion most of my time I've worked here on the farm. I love taking them out in a carriage, working with them and seeing how they progress in their training.

Describe the National Trust in one word

It's not a very exciting word, but perhaps ‘preserving’ or ‘preservation’. Making sure we are preserving all the that we have around us.  

You say, ‘preservation’ is an important concept for you. Where that passion come from?  

I think working on the farm – including the whole parkland and estate – is incredibly important to me. I think it's the fact that we are preserving all of these incredible breeds for future generations to enjoy as well. Wimpole Home Farm is a rare breed centre, which, as the name suggests, support the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. So, for example, working with the Shires and Suffolk Punch horse, they are just such impressive animals and they have fantastic characters to match.

“It's really important to me that we don't lose that slice of history and we can find a place for it in our modern farming world.”  

Not only the breeds, it would be such a shame to lose the skill and knowledge that goes around working with those types of animals. It's really important to me that we don't lose that slice of history and we can find a place for it in our modern farming world. You know, it all ties in together; each positive thing you do on the farm has a knock-on effect, and suddenly you realise that you are part of a much bigger tapestry of rural culture, preserving the whole estate in its entirety. I think that’s very special.   

Why is it important to be outdoors and connected to the natural world?   

I can't think of anything better that I'd like to do. I love being out in the sunshine, witnessing the seasons unfold around me. For work I am outside most of the day, but even when I get home or on my days off I am out and about with horses, dogs, just enjoying the countryside. It actually sounds quite antisocial but get me on a walk in the middle of nowhere, not really seeing anybody else, just enjoying everything that is around me, I love it. It’s great for my mental and physical health. I can't imagine not being in the countryside.  

How does the Le Chameau x National Trust Vierzon boot suit your work on the farm and enjoyment of the outdoors?   

They are brilliant for farm work. They keep my feet dry, and they are so comfortable throughout the day. I wear them everywhere really, checking each aspect of the farm, feeding and checking in on all the animals, out in the parkland, opening and closing the farm to visitors. I also wear them out walking with the horses and dogs. They are just perfect.   

Finally, would you recommend the boots to your friends and family?   

Yes, of course! I've had Le Chameau boots in the past and these are equally great. They are really, really comfy – I've always felt they're a bit like sort of wearing pair of slippers! The fit is super, just great all-round boots to have.  

Discover for yourself our most sustainable boot yet, Le Chameau x National Trust Vierzon boot.