The Alvis family cherish this area of outstanding natural beauty. Nestled amongst steep limestone gorges, waterfalls and wetlands is some of the best pasture land in the world.

Each system under Alvis management aims to protect and value wildlife and the environment by encouraging diverse habitat and the utilisation of animal manure and by crop rotation.

Over the last 25 years Lye Cross Farm has planted more than 12,000 broadleaf native trees, such as Oak, Ash, Beech and Hazel as well as miles of native hedgerows like blackthorn and quickthorn as part of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Wildlife corridors have been set around arable fields and more than 75 acres of wild meadows managed with flowers like birdsfoot trefoil, cornflowers, poppies, lady’s bedstraw, yellow rattle and ox-eye daisy.

The farm is now home to vibrant fauna including Greater Horseshoe bats, owls, hares, frogs, slow-worms, otters, foxes and birds of prey.

Other environmental measures include the creation and renovation of ponds and tributaries flowing into the River Yeo.