Managing 16,000 acres, entirely set within the South Downs National Park, from Fernhurst in the north, right back down to Cocking in the south of the estate, is by no means an easy job. Supporting the management of this diverse landscape is Nick McDonald, Cowdray Estate's Land and Environment Manager. You’ll find Nick working across many areas of the estate, helping balance environmental stewardship, land management and rural business interests. 

As the seasons once again start to turn, celebrating the first signs of autumn, we caught up with Nick to understand what it's like helping to manage and care for such a significant part of the South Downs in Sussex, and which aspects of the job he enjoys the most.  

Turn of the Season: Autumn on the Estate 

“Being part of the team responsible for managing Cowdray Estate is a real privilege,” says Nick. “The estate itself is certainly diverse with its forestry, deer management, golf club, polo club, property, events, businesses and heritage side of things. 
 
“We are now well and truly into the autumn season, having had an incredibly busy summer. The team here at Cowdray Estate are now starting to think about those autumn and winter jobs. For example, on the farm they will be carving, the forestry team will be thinking about planting and restocking the woodlands, and it’s apple harvest time, so we harvest from about 250 apple trees across the estate in autumn to produce apple juice and cider for the farm shop.” 

Adapting for the Farm’s Future 

It is an incredibly difficult time to be farming in the UK, generally. Just look back at this summer, we don’t need to tell you that it’s been unbelievably hot and dry. For Nick and his colleagues across the estate in order to mitigate for extreme weather conditions – whether that’s extreme heat like we have had this summer or huge amounts of rainfall – it’s all about diversification, preparing for any eventuality. Nick says, “We've put a lot of effort into understanding how the landscape can remain productive and resilient in changing conditions, including selecting suitable crops and tree species for a warmer climate, whilst also improving soil health.”

A Passion for Beekeeping  

One of the many jobs on the estate Nick does is beekeeping in the farm’s old kitchen garden. At this time of year Nick will have harvested any surplus honey and will now be preparing for a successful winter which means keeping the hives well-insulated but ventilated to ensure there isn’t any condensation. Enjoy our latest campaign film capturing Nick McDonald checking over his hives amongst other jobs on the estate.  

Nick wears his favourite Le Chameau Vierzonord with neoprene linings.

No Two Days Are Ever the Same 

We asked Nick what's the best thing about his role as Land and Environment Manager at Cowdray Estate. “Well, I would argue, the best thing about my job is that I get to work across the entire estate. I work with all heads of department, so I am really lucky to be able to talk to lots of people all the time. One day might be in the woodlands, another might be on the farm, or working with the polo or golf club. It's a classic thing to say, but no two days are ever the same. I've been here 12 years so far, but every year feels like a slightly new job or a different angle. Those 12 years have gone by in a flash!” 

Le Chameau: Serving the Countryside 

Nick clocks up tens of thousands of steps each day working across the estate in nonother than his trusty pair of Le Chameau boots. Why does Nick opt for our handmade rubber boots?  

He says, “I think I got my first pair about ten years ago, and they've lasted me right through until winter just gone – ten years with one pair! I've recently just got a new pair of Vierzonord with the neoprene lining, which I love. The craftsmanship and durability are brilliant. 

“The two most important aspects for me when choosing the right Wellington boot is, firstly, they need to be completely waterproof. When I’m fishing or wading through a river, they need to be durable in that sense. Secondly, the comfort, so when I’m walking for hours on end in the countryside, whether out shooting or whatever it might be, you're going to want a pair of comfy wellies and Le Chameau never let me down.” 

If you go to the estate office at Cowdray Estate, you’ll see in the porch at least five pairs of Le Chameau boots belonging to various team members. Nick adds, “It says a lot. It’s the choice for footwear for the estate for sure. I chuck mine on pretty much every time I leave the office in the winter and anytime in the summer when it's raining.”  

Managing the Land for the Future 

For a prosperous future, the land will have to be managed in a way that regenerates and enhances our natural resources, especially relevant when it comes to farming. Nick is passionate about soil health, biodiversity and nature-friendly land management. 

In terms of encouraging the next generation to manage the land, we asked Nick how he became Land and Environment Manager at Cowdray Estate.  

“There's a long answer here because I've not done it the traditional route. I didn’t come from an agricultural background, but I knew I wanted work outside. I did a little bit of work on an estate nearby, met a couple of land agents, knew that that was what I wanted to do when I was about 16. I then went off and did a lot of farming work to get my practical experience, which I enjoyed. 

“There is a much more traditional route, however, where you can go through agricultural college, do your degree, and then you'd probably end up working for a land agent company and an estate. But I would argue that the way I've come through gives me much more life experience. Yes, it's a longer route, but I have ended up in the same place. Also, to add, a real passion of mine on the estate is education. We do a lot of educational visits to the estate to talk about how we combine modern techniques with the tradition and history of a rural estate.  

Learn more about what’s on at Cowdray Estate and how you too can get involved.