K is for Knepp Castle, West Sussex

This medieval castle’s name is thought to have come through from the Old English word “cnaep” referring to the mound on which it stands, a natural hill, surrounded by a ditch and ramparts – while the actual castle was originally a motte and bailey fortress.

Knepp Castle - the remains

It was built in the 12^th C by William de Braose, who owned land in the Welsh Marches, Devon, and as here in Sussex.  

He acquired his wealth as a Marcher Lord – a strong and trusted noble appointed by the King of England to guard the border between England and Wales.

Exmoor pony

A succession of Royal visitors came to the castle, including Henry III in 1218, Edward II in 1324, and Richard II in 1384.  Subsequently it fell into decline and deteriorated, most had been destroyed by the 1720s.

Sir Merrik Burrell, 1^st Baronet was a British politician, who purchased the estates.  He had become Governor of the Bank of England from 1758 – 1760, and was subsequently awarded with his Baronetcy.

(As a Baronet, his title assumed ‘a special remainder to the heirs male' of his older brother Peter – Merrik dying in 1787 unmarried and childless.   For further information please check out Wikipedia – Baronet.)

Knepp Castle today

The Burrell family home, now known as Knepp Castle, is a castellated Gothick mansion built nearby in the early 1800s to the designs of John Nash, and remains their family residence to this day.

Tamworth Pig

Recently the Burrells shifted their focus of land management to regeneration and restorative projects aimed primarily at land and nature conservation.

Tamworths in a
Woodland Glade

The rationale of the Knepp Wildland Project is to restore most of the 3,500 acres of land to the state it enjoyed before intensive agriculture took its toll, and to allow the grazing animals to drive habitat changes by letting them roam as freely as possible with minimal human intervention. 

This project is contributing to scientific research both of the land and of the rare breeds being sustained as naturally as possible.

Green Woodpecker

Hardy Tamworth Pigs roam free disturbing the grass swards (dense glades or meadows) – allowing annual and bi-annual plants to colonize bare ground, and insect species to flourish.

Exmoor ponies are directly descended from the European prehistoric horse.

The ant is a surprising necessary component to the well-being of the landscape – in this case the Yellow Meadow Ant – much loved by Green Woodpeckers ... for more information there is a fascinating article on Ant Hills within the Knepp Castle website.

So Knepp Castle has rejuvenated itself for the 21^st Century into a thriving Estate incorporating

Ø the Wildland Project

Ø Farming

Ø Woodland

Ø Polo

Ø horses

Ø property rental

Ø Garlic Wood Farm shop 

Ant Hill in natural
meadow

with its aim of providing a reference point from which to gauge changes in flora and fauna population and distribution – which help us all in the stewardship of our beautiful British landscapes.

That is K for Knepp Castle ... an innovative concept in 21^st land management on a ‘castled’ estate that has evolved over time ...  part of the ABC series on Aspects of British Castles

Bob Scotney featured Johnstone Castle, Scotland yesterday

Longhorn cattle roam free

Knepp Castle - their website contains information on their conservation wildland project, including the document by the Royal Parks on Ants and Anthills. The photos were also obtained from their site.

Hilary Melton-Butcher

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