The GWCT Allerton Project is a 320ha mixed arable and livestock farm based around the small village of Loddington on the Leicestershire/Rutland border (and not to be confused with Loddington in Northamptonshire).

The estate was kindly gifted to the GWCT by Lord and Lady Allerton in 1992 on the understanding that it would be used to conduct research into sustainable farming, game and landscape management. As such, we are unique in having not only a modern, commercial, working farm but also in having a full-time scientific research department who are conducting a wide series of long-term trials, monitoring everything from soil and water health to integrated pest management and biodiversity.

Over the last three decades, the Allerton Project has made a huge contribution to the shape of sustainable landscape management in the UK and further afield; some 75% of the modern agri-environment scheme handbook is thought to derive from research carried out here or by the wider GWCT, and – amongst the some 2,000-3,000 visitors we welcome every year – we frequently host senior policymakers, civil servants and member of the royal family. We also offer a range of Basis accredited and bespoke training.

As farmers make the transition from the Common Agricultural Policy to the Environmental Land Management Scheme, we believe that our three decades of experience of sustainable farming and landscape management is a valuable resource for the whole industry to draw upon, and we hope to see many more farmers here over the coming years!

Find out more about the Allerton Project >