Digg and Co. Studio embarked on this project with a deep exploration into the distant past, uncovering the intricate layers of history that have shaped Stourhead’s landscape over millennia. From the ancient rhythms of prehistory to the structured estates of the Stourton family, through the grand visions of the Hoare dynasty, and finally into the modern era under the stewardship of the National Trust and its tenants, we traced the evolving relationship between people and place. Through this lens, we began to recognise that many of the landscape features, management practices, and habitats of the past hold vital clues for shaping a sustainable future.

Today, land is more contested than ever. It must serve many masters—food production, recreation, conservation, and climate resilience—all while supporting an ever-growing human population and safeguarding the delicate balance of nature. Stourhead, with nearly half a million visitors a year, offers a rare opportunity to showcase how thoughtful, well-integrated land stewardship can provide for all these needs. By blending traditional knowledge with modern ecological principles, the estate can demonstrate a way forward—one where food production coexists with biodiversity, where heritage landscapes evolve to meet contemporary challenges, and where human activity enhances rather than depletes the natural world.

Our vision for Stourhead embraces this complexity. It is not a choice between rewilding or farming, access or preservation. Instead, it is about finding harmony between these elements—creating a landscape that is not only productive but also rich in culture, biodiversity, and resilience. A place where high-quality, nature-friendly food is produced in ways that enhance soil health and carbon sequestration. A landscape that mitigates the impacts of climate change by restoring natural hydrological systems and increasing habitat connectivity. A living, breathing ecosystem that offers space for people to connect with the outdoors while providing sanctuary for British wildlife to thrive rather than merely survive.

If successful, Stourhead will become more than just a restored landscape—it will be a model for the future of large estates across Britain. A beacon of holistic land management, demonstrating that the needs of people and nature are not at odds but deeply interconnected.

It has been a privilege to work on such an inspiring landscape, and we look forward to seeing the estate flourish as nature takes its course.