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The Cholderton Estate is managed on sound agricultural and environmental principles with an emphasis on nature conservation and the preservation of natural habitats.  The result is an estate with an exceptional wealth and diversity of wildlife.

Birds include Barn Owl, Hobby and Long-eared Owl, and good populations of farmland birds whose populations have declined dramatically elsewhere, such as Bullfinch, Lapwing, Skylark and Corn Bunting. 

There are many Hares on the Estate, and other mammals include the rare and declining Harvest Mouse and a good variety of bats.

Over 450 species of moth have been recorded and 34 species of butterfly are thought to breed on the Estate.  Cholderton supports a good population of the rare Brown Hairstreak butterfly and is one of the only two locations for this species in Hampshire. 

The Estate is notable for a whole range of other invertebrates, including the rare Hornet Robber Fly.

A wide variety of plants is found on the chalk grassland, pastures, small woodlands and arable field margins.  Some 70 species of plants are exploiting open ground associated with arable cultivation, including rare arable weeds such as Venus’ Looking-Glass. 

Three areas of chalk grassland and an arable field margin on the eastern side of the Estate have been designated ‘Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation’ by Hampshire County Council.

Cholderton Estate nature - wildflowers

Cholderton Estate nature - amphibians

Cholderton Estate nature - birds