Group Stays in Nature at Sandon Manor
Looking for a weekend escape where wide skies, rare wildlife, and peaceful footpaths replace the noise of everyday life? Sandon Manor’s 1,000-acre rewilded estate offers just that — a haven for nature lovers, birdwatchers, and anyone craving time in the wild.
Meet the English Longhorns
Say hello to Wilson, Rebel, Stella, Quita, Rebecca, and Tiffany — just a few of the 20 English Longhorn cattle visiting us from Maydencroft Farm. This gentle, heritage breed is perfectly adapted to outdoor living year-round, just as their ancestors were.
But they aren’t just charming to watch — they’re working hard behind the scenes.
These cattle act as natural ecosystem engineers, helping to shape our rewilded nature reserves into thriving wood pasture habitats. Equipped with GPS collars, they’re guided away from sensitive young saplings — oak, ash, hornbeam, dog rose, blackthorn, and sallow — and instead encouraged to graze areas where their presence:
Maintains diverse wildflower meadows
Prevents excessive scrub growth
Creates the varied structure that supports a rich web of wildlife
Their steady grazing and gentle trampling are helping transform Sandon Manor into a mosaic of habitats buzzing with life.
A Birdwatcher’s weekend break UK
Cocks, Tits, Shags… and that’s just the beginning.
If birds are your passion, you’ll feel instantly at home here. Sandon Manor is quickly becoming known as a dream location for bird lovers, thanks to the extraordinary diversity supported by our rewilding efforts.
On any given day you might:
Watch Red Kites soar in effortless circles
Hear Woodpeckers drumming through ancient woodland
Spot Wrens darting through hedgerows
Catch glimpses of rare farmland birds reclaiming their territory
Every season brings its own soundtrack and feathered cast — making each visit feel new.
Stay at Sandon Manor
For those who want to immerse themselves fully, Sandon Manor’s holiday accommodation offers the perfect base. This spacious, self-catered accommodation for groups of 4 to 50 lets you set the pace of your stay.
Wake to birdsong. Wander straight onto footpaths from your doorstep. Spend afternoons with binoculars in hand. Or simply lounge in the Winter Garden Courtyard with a good book and great company.
A day on Sandon Manor estate might look like:
Dawn walks to greet the morning chorus
Lazy brunches between adventures
Afternoon wildlife watching across meadows and woodland edges
Golden-hour strolls as shadows lengthen and the land quietens
Whether you’re a seasoned birder keeping an immaculate sightings list or a total beginner spotting your first kite, Sandon Manor gives you the space to slow down, look up, and truly connect — with nature, the moment, and each other.
Our top birding tip: We never head out without the Merlin Bird ID app.
If you’re staying with us, bring your favourite sightings — we love comparing notes over morning coffee