Extending to more than 2,000 acres, the Chilton Estate now comprises approximately 1,500 acres of arable land (including set aside, headlands and conservation areas), 300 acres of grassland, and 250 acres of woodland. There are also water meadows along the Kennet and more than 5,000 yards of riverbank for fishing.
The owners’ aim is to sustain a traditional rural estate with the principal house remaining as the family home. The strategic objective is to hand this entity on in good shape to the next generation, should they wish to take it on. To these ends, there is an ongoing and evolving programme of diversification and investment in residential and commercial properties and in the estate’s infrastructure; the repair and maintenance of a number of historic structures; a strategic long term move towards lower input arable farming; support for livestock grazing; and an active programme of river, woodland and wildlife management.
All of these interrelated elements are intended to create an environment that is truly economic; that looks forward to new opportunities whilst respecting the past; that encourages conservation and good husbandry techniques; and which is an enjoyable and pleasing environment in which to live and work for the owning family, their employees, local residents and tenants alike. The aspiration is ‘Excellence without Extravagance.’ As well as having created more than 40 new permanent workplaces since 2004, the Estate provides direct employment for seven full-time and four part-time employees.
Residential properties. There are 24 let properties, mostly two and three-bedroom cottages, some listed Grade 2. The mansion (Grade 2*) and stables complex includes three flats. The Garden House has been completely remodelled.
Commercial properties currently extend to more than 27,000 square feet. 75% have been developed from scratch within the last five years at New Hayward Farm. The 19th century model farm buildings at Leverton have also recently been completely refurbished. (See Lettings)
The extensive walled gardens, potting sheds and the orchard at Leverton were largely abandoned some years ago. Now cleaned up and with their fruit trees retained, they await some new and sympathetic economic activity.
The Estate supplies water to some forty residential properties as well as meeting the needs of the farming operations and commercial tenants. A new borehole was drilled in 2007 with state of the art U/V purification, pumping and storage facilities. A continuing programme of mains renewal has largely been completed.
Steps are being taken to create new opportunities for educational access for universities, schools and heritage organisations.
The owners’ aim is to sustain a traditional rural estate with the principal house remaining as the family home. The strategic objective is to hand this entity on in good shape to the next generation, should they wish to take it on. To these ends, there is an ongoing and evolving programme of diversification and investment in residential and commercial properties and in the estate’s infrastructure; the repair and maintenance of a number of historic structures; a strategic long term move towards lower input arable farming; support for livestock grazing; and an active programme of river, woodland and wildlife management.
All of these interrelated elements are intended to create an environment that is truly economic; that looks forward to new opportunities whilst respecting the past; that encourages conservation and good husbandry techniques; and which is an enjoyable and pleasing environment in which to live and work for the owning family, their employees, local residents and tenants alike. The aspiration is ‘Excellence without Extravagance.’ As well as having created more than 40 new permanent workplaces since 2004, the Estate provides direct employment for seven full-time and four part-time employees.
Residential properties. There are 24 let properties, mostly two and three-bedroom cottages, some listed Grade 2. The mansion (Grade 2*) and stables complex includes three flats. The Garden House has been completely remodelled.
Commercial properties currently extend to more than 27,000 square feet. 75% have been developed from scratch within the last five years at New Hayward Farm. The 19th century model farm buildings at Leverton have also recently been completely refurbished. (See Lettings)
The extensive walled gardens, potting sheds and the orchard at Leverton were largely abandoned some years ago. Now cleaned up and with their fruit trees retained, they await some new and sympathetic economic activity.
The Estate supplies water to some forty residential properties as well as meeting the needs of the farming operations and commercial tenants. A new borehole was drilled in 2007 with state of the art U/V purification, pumping and storage facilities. A continuing programme of mains renewal has largely been completed.
Steps are being taken to create new opportunities for educational access for universities, schools and heritage organisations.