New signage is set to appear across the Longleat Estate as part of a long-term programme aimed at improving conservation, public access and the overall visitor experience.
Spanning around 9,000 acres of countryside and woodland near Warminster, the estate is home to one of Britain’s leading continuous cover forests, where commercial forestry, wildlife conservation and historic landscape management sit side by side.
The new project will see marked permissive footpaths mapped, promoted and maintained across some of the estate’s most visited woodland areas, including Cannimore, Shearwater and Southleigh.
Estate Director Sarah Butler said the initiative forms part of a broader commitment to protecting the landscape while ensuring it remains accessible.
“We are committed to safeguarding these woodlands for future generations and as part of a long-term programme we are mapping, promoting and maintaining dedicated permissive footpaths throughout the most popular woodland areas,” she said.
The estate contains a significant number of UK and European champion trees, alongside registered historic parkland, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and areas of ancient woodland. It also sits within the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, recognised for its environmental importance.
Native wildlife found across the estate includes roe deer, hare, reptiles such as snakes and lizards, amphibians including frogs and toads, and a variety of plant life from orchids to mosses and lichens.
However, estate managers say unofficial bike trails, fly-tipping and fire risks caused by campfires and disposable barbecues have, at times, damaged habitats and disturbed wildlife.
Sarah Butler said the new signage is intended to guide visitors towards responsible access.
“The estate has a long history of encouraging and facilitating responsible permissive access and we want people to enjoy this beautiful and productive forest,” she said.
“The aim of the dedicated permissive access routes is to enhance the existing public rights of way and we are asking people to follow the marked paths and respect seasonal and forestry operation restrictions.
“Together we can ensure the forest is protected for the future by keeping dogs on leads to avoid disturbance to wildlife habitats and by following the Countryside Code.”
As part of the project, welcome boards and trail maps will be installed in Cannimore, Shearwater and Southleigh woods.
Visitors are being reminded to follow the Countryside Code — respecting others, protecting the environment and planning visits responsibly — to help ensure the estate remains accessible and well cared for.
The aim, estate managers say, is to strike a balance between public enjoyment and long-term preservation, so future generations can continue to explore the woods safely.
