At Nostell Priory Boutique Holiday Home, we are incredibly proud to announce our participation in the David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature 2025 – a national initiative championing wildlife conservation and greener environments across the UK. Set within the beautiful National Trust Nostell Estate, our park has always embraced its woodland charm, and this year marks a major step forward in strengthening our commitment to nature.

As National Adviser Rufus Bellamy put it:
“Together, we’re growing a movement that champions the vital role parks play in protecting Britain’s wildlife. With your enthusiasm and commitment, we can make an even bigger difference in the year ahead.”

Celebrating a Year of Wildlife-Friendly Achievements

Our 2025 advisory report recognises the huge amount of work already taking place on-site to support birds, bats, pollinators and other native species.

A Haven for Wildlife

The park’s woodland glade setting – with its mature oak trees and natural habitat – already attracts an abundance of wildlife. This year, bumper numbers of pheasant and partridge chicks were safely reared amongst the holiday homes, a testament to the peaceful, nature-rich environment we strive to maintain.

Home Sweet Home Challenge Success

We were thrilled to complete the Home Sweet Home Wildlife Challenge, earning high praise for our efforts:

• 40 new bird boxes and 40 new bat boxes, all made from recycled wooden decking – an excellent example of sustainable resource use.
• Creation of several habitat piles using shrub prunings and fallen trees, providing shelter for hedgehogs, small mammals, and invertebrates.
• A truly standout feature: our natural wood fox den, described as “an amazing ‘first’ for the scheme”.

These additions are already enhancing biodiversity and creating safe spaces for wildlife to thrive throughout the year.

Supporting Our Pollinators

With many holiday homeowners enjoying containers, hanging baskets, and small gardens, 2025 saw excellent opportunities to encourage bee-friendly planting. Advisors noted our progress and suggested building on this by offering guidance on what to plant to keep bees and butterflies well-fed throughout the summer.

Looking Ahead: Continuing Our Commitment to Nature

As part of the Blooming Marvellous Pledge for Nature, the advisory report offered a number of thoughtful recommendations for how we can continue building on the strong foundations already in place. While these are suggestions rather than set plans, they highlight some exciting opportunities for the year ahead and beyond.

A few of the ideas put forward include:

• Exploring the Pollinator Patch Challenge in 2026, with possibilities such as introducing more perennial, pollinator-friendly plants, adding spring bulbs around the park, and continuing efforts to establish wildflower areas.
• Offering homeowners bee-friendly planting guidance earlier in the season, helping everyone support pollinators through their own containers, baskets and small gardens.
• Enhancing wildlife engagement around the park by expanding our interpretation resources or signposting optional activities like the Big Butterfly Count.
• Looking at opportunities for closer collaboration with local nature groups, including the National Trust at Nostell Priory and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, to encourage participation in events or volunteering opportunities.
• Considering small sustainable additions over time, such as rainwater collection options, increasing native plantings, or even trialling a wildlife camera to observe activity around the fox den.

These recommendations give us plenty of inspiration as we look to the future. We’re excited to review each suggestion carefully and explore which ideas we can begin to introduce in the months and years ahead. Above all, we look forward to continuing our journey as part of this national movement – helping protect, celebrate and nurture the wonderful wildlife that makes Nostell Priory Holiday Home such a special place.