The Duke of Cornwall’s Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry 2025
Congratulations to Gold winner The Perridge Estate and to Silver winner Miserden Estate.
Sponsored by Savills and TreesPlease, the Duke of Cornwall Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry recognises woods that are managed for ecological and economic resilience to threats such as pests, diseases and climate change, in order to meet commercial, environmental and social objectives.
Gold winners: Perridge Estate
Here was a prime example of an enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner and his expert advisor taking a whole-estate, long-term approach to forest management. We consider Perridge to be a worthy winner of this year’s award.
The Perridge Estate took home the prestigious Duke of Cornwall Award for Resilient Multi-Purpose Forestry, sponsored by Savills and TreesPlease. The 276-hectare estate, owned by Sir Harry Studholme and managed with forestry advisor Chris Marrow, exhibited an impressive long-term approach to resilience and climate change adaptation.
Perridge was praised for its sophisticated approach to uncertainty. The estate has employed long-term weather monitoring methods to build knowledge of changing forest conditions, while trials of more southerly Douglas Fir seed sources and experimental species plantings are helping prepare for tomorrow’s climate. Perridge looks to its rich history of woodland management spanning four generations while keeping a keen eye on the future, researching soil carbon levels and employing drones to carry out deer surveys.
“For everyone connected with the woods this award is a great excitement and an honour,” said Sir Studholme. “The forest is the result of so many people’s work not just now but over decades and we are proud of what we are doing to grow resilience. The award gives us more opportunity to talk about what we are doing and the urgent need in Britain to adapt forests to future climates.”
Judges praised the estate’s engagement with English Heritage over scheduled monument protection and comprehensive work with local communities and government bodies. Regenerative thinning, adoption of continuous cover forestry methods and embracing natural disruption are all part of the estate’s commitment to future-proofing their woodlands.
Speaking on behalf of Savills, co-sponsors of the award, Forestry Consultant and Associate Director, Justin Gorbold, commented: “Climate resilience is at the forefront of our industry’s combined minds, and there is a wealth of knowledge across the industry which must be shared and embraced. It’s fantastic to see The Perridge Estate recognised for its refined and sophisticated approach to the uncertainties of the future.”
"At Miserden Estate, we saw how the whole mosaic of landscape and habitats was being managed. Public access with way-marked trails, flood alleviation work to benefit communities downstream, careful monitoring of a wide range of flora and fauna all demonstrated that sustainability and resilience was integral to management.
Silver winners: Miserden Estate
Silver recognition went to Miserden Estate, where owner Nicholas Wills and forestry advisor Bill Ayers have tackled ash dieback and challenging sloping valleys to establish an impressive productive woodland. Their integrated management approach includes flood alleviation benefiting downstream communities, careful habitat management and innovative use of Belted Galloway cattle in wood pasture systems.
“The vision at Miserden is to maintain a diverse, resilient continuous-cover woodland that benefits both flora and fauna, while balancing commercial objectives with environmental stewardship,” said Nicholas Wills. “We are delighted that the efforts of our forestry team have been recognised.”
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