Site visit: Flete Mill (Booking Essential)

Name: Site visit: Flete Mill (Booking Essential)
Start: 2025-04-25T10:30:00+01:00
End: 2025-04-25T13:30:00+01:00
Location: Flete Mill Cottage Plymouth PL21 9NX

Schedule

Fri Apr 25 2025 at 10:30 am to 01:30 pm

UTC+01:00

Location

Flete Mill Cottage Plymouth PL21 9NX | Plymouth, EN

Join Devon Rewilding Network for a site visit to Flete Mill on the Flete Estate, to learn about and discuss the rewetting of water meadows.
About this event
The Flete Estate has been in the Mildmay Family since 1872. The Estate crosses both sides of the Erme Estuary from the beaches at Mothecombe and Wonwell to the A379 above Flete House. It comprises of estuary and foreshore, salt marsh, ancient woodland and farmland.
A main focus of the Estate has always been conservation of the natural environment, as can be seen by the extensive woodland and lack of development along the riverbanks, quite a rarity for the South West of England.
John & Lily Mildmay-White returned home to manage the Estate in 2016 and are working to conserve and enhance this magical place. Planting for pollinators, farming with nature from the soil up and restoring native broadleaf woodland all form part of the plan.
A new project on the estate includes rewetting of land adjacent to the river Erme at Flete Mill to restore 12 acres of water meadow. Through digging scrapes and blocking leats to slow to flow, the project aims to prevent flooding, enhance biodiversity, and improve water quality.
What to expect?
John Mildmay-White, will lead the visit, which will involve a guided walk around the site. Sam Manning from the Woodland Trust and Ambios Ecologist Mike Cooke will also be on hand to provide their insights and facilitate discussions around sustainable land management strategies, including the ecological benefits of rewetting.
Please note that the route does involve some uneven, wet ground so please bring suitable clothing and appropriate footwear (wellies preffered).
Getting there:
Address: Flete Mill Cottage, Plymouth PL21 9NX
What3Words: ///wasp.tricycle.historic
Google Maps Pin: Flete Mill Cottage
Facilities
Limited parking for up to 10 cars will be available along the driveway next to the nearby Flete Mill holiday cottage so please lift share if possible.
Toilet facilities will not be available (The nearest public toilets can be found in Modbury - approx. 20 mins drive).
Refreshments will not be provided on this occasion due to lack of facilities so please bring your own flask.
We are asking that you make a small donation to attend this event. All proceeds from donations will contribute to the future funding and running of DRN.
Suggested donation for DRN members £5. Suggested donation for non-members £10.