02/07/2025
Biodiversity on the Babraham Estate: A Hidden Natural Asset, written by Matt Antrobus, Ecology & Land Manager
The Babraham Research Campus is recognised globally as a leading hub for early-stage discovery, bioscience and innovation. While the research taking place on site is widely known, what’s perhaps less visible is the 350 acres of estate land surrounding the Campus, which plays a vital role in conservation and biodiversity.
Managed by our Ecology and Land Management (ELM) team, this land is a diverse and carefully stewarded environment that is open to the public and rich in natural and historic interest.
A Landscape Shaped by History
The Babraham Estate has been continuously occupied since the Iron Age, with archaeological evidence of a hill fort, Roman settlements and Anglo-Saxon influence still visible in aerial mapping. The current Babraham Hall, the third iteration, dates back to the 1830s. In 1948, the estate transitioned from private ownership to become a research centre, marking the beginning of its scientific legacy.
Two Decades of Conservation
This year marks 20 years since I joined the Babraham Estate team. Coming from a background in land conservation and sustainable woodland management, it has been a privilege to contribute to long-term biodiversity projects and to witness their impact over time.
Protecting the River Granta
The River Granta chalk stream runs through the estate and is considered a priority habitat both locally and regionally. The ELM team works closely with the Environment Agency and the Wild Trout Trust to improve the river channel, monitor health, and reduce flood risk downstream. Initiatives like “hinged willow” planting provide essential cover for fish and birds and help guide water flow.
Species to spot:
Sustainable Woodlands
Our woodlands, both old and newly planted, are managed using a 20-year coppice-with-standards rotation. This traditional technique promotes biodiversity by encouraging dense undergrowth—ideal habitat for small mammals and nesting birds.
Tree safety and surgery operations across the estate provide a sustainable supply of firewood and timber products. Last winter, we planted over 10,500 new saplings, enhancing species diversity and replacing ash trees lost to dieback disease.
Key species planted:
Field Maple, Hazel, Alder, Silver Birch, Sweet Chestnut, Oak, Small Leaf Lime, and more.
Our biggest challenge remains water supply during dry periods. Fortunately, many Campus buildings are equipped with rainwater harvesting systems, supporting the ELM team’s extensive tree watering efforts in the first year of establishment.
Species to look out for:
Reviving Hedgerows
Hedgerows are vital wildlife corridors. Once removed for agriculture, we’re steadily replanting them. Last winter alone, the team added 3,500 new hedging whips, including blackthorn, hawthorn, dog rose and crab apple. These will help stabilise soil, support pollinators and provide shelter and food for birds and small mammals.
Grasslands and Meadows
The Estate supports a range of grassland types due to its varied geology—floodplain, calcareous, wet, neutral and wildflower meadows. We manage these areas through annual ‘cut and remove’ techniques after seed drop, reducing soil nutrients to encourage wildflower growth over more dominant grasses.
Cuttings are reused either as local hay or mulch for our own landscaping use, contributing to a circular and sustainable approach.
Species to look out for:
Visiting the Estate
There are several public and permissive footpaths throughout the Babraham Estate. We welcome visitors to explore and enjoy this remarkable landscape, but ask that dogs are kept on leads to protect sensitive habitats and wildlife.
To find out more or access our local footpath map, please contact: conservation@babraham.co.uk