'Capability' Brown pool to be restored at National Trust's Berrington Hall

Berrington Hall near Leominster is about to undertake vital restoration work to their 16-acre pool.

It follows funding awarded from National Highways under the Environment and Wellbeing Designated Fund.

The pool is a key feature of the parkland at Berrington and was originally designed by prolific landscape architect, Lancelot 'Capability' Brown. Brown loved water in the landscape and often included curving, serpentine lakes as part of his designs. The pool, parkland and garden make up Brown's final complete estate before his death in 1783. Over 200 years later, the pool is now a haven for wildlife and visitors alike; it is a Site of Special Interest (SSSI) due to the large heronry which nests on its island every year. It is one of only two heronries in Herefordshire and the largest in the West Midlands. 

The pool is now in urgent need of restoration. Countryside Manager, Iain Carter, said: "The biodiversity of the pool has been adversely affected over the years due to the spread of reed cover and an increase in the silt bed. Large carp have become the dominant fish species found within the pool and their bottom feeding nature continues to impact on water turbidity. Very few smaller fish species are also believed to remain in the pool, which, combined with other issues mentioned, may be impacting the on-site heronry for which population numbers have sadly declined over the last 10 years. It is therefore vital that we intervene now to ensure the survival of the SSSI and the heronry."

There is a lot of work to be done; sensitive woodland management and thinning of trees and shrubs around the pool has already begun, which will provide open canopy and improve water conditions. An area of woodland known as Moreton Ride and the walk around the lake is closed to visitors until early December to allow this work to take place safely.

From 11 October, a specialist team will re-home the carp and restock the pool with a native mix of smaller fish to support biodiversity and the heronry. Crucial desilting works and reed clearance will take place once the pool has been drained and whilst the fish are absent. Any collapsed trees or trees that are causing detrimental impact to the structure of the dam will also be removed.

The National Trust have consulted with relevant stakeholders as part of the project including Historic England and Natural England. Claire Minett, Operations Manager for the West Midlands at Natural England, said: "Natural England is wholly supportive of the restoration works being undertaken by the National Trust at Berrington Pool SSSI. These works will enhance the environmental features of the site, increasing the pool's long-term resilience to change and the Heronry for which the site is notified. Through the careful interventions proposed, these works will restore many of the cultural and heritage landscape features for which the site is well known, including the Hall's reflection on the water's surface from the vista, as originally designed by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown."

The project will see the historic pool restored and the heronry and SSSI supported for many years to come. Aquatic diversity will be enhanced, views restored and water quality improved through effective silt and reed control. "Thanks to our supporters and funding from National Highways, we're able to restore the pool and improve habitat and biodiversity for the resident wildlife. Whilst restoration work will be disruptive in the short term, the long-term benefits are vital for the survival of the SSSI and the heronry," said Iain Carter.

National Highways Head of Service Delivery, Andrew Butterfield, said: "At National Highways, our work goes beyond operating, maintaining and improving roads, and through our Environmental and Well-Being Designated Funds, we're investing in the environment and communities surrounding our network. We've worked closely with the National Trust to realise this small but important project which will help support aquatic biodiversity at a location close to the A49."

More information about the project can be found here.