Wimpole Estate Masterplan

PRS were appointed by the National Trust to develop a new strategic masterplan - or Spatial Plan - for their entire Wimpole Estate near Cambridge in July 2023. Dominic and Malcolm’s ability to combine an understanding of historic significance and how to manage changing needs were able to set this wonderful NT estate on a new trajectory for the 21st Century.

The estate, established in 1640, stretches over 3,000 acres of parkland and farmland. Its Grade 1 listed main building, Wimpole Hall sits at the heart of the Registered Parkland and designed landscape by Charles Bridgeman and Capability Brown containing an active farm, play areas, cycle rides and shop. With the National Trust we developed ways to improve visitor flow, address operational needs, restore historical links and enhance interpretation. We also established ways of bringing back into use forgotten existing spaces throughout the estate. Elements approved by the Trust within the Spatial Plan will allow the existing estate visitor numbers to exceed the yearly 380,000 at the time of the appointment and accommodate more than 500,000.

In the early phase of the commission, we distilled elements included in the scope that focused on letting the historic estate speak for itself: we reviewed connectivity, flow and functionality - within and beyond the estate, play space offers and options and the introduction of a new Outdoor Hub including cycle hire. We considered potential need for new infrastructure, a secondary car park and for liaising with planning authorities, English Heritage and other stakeholders.

The above proposals informed the NT Spatial Plan, to achieve the following projects currently under development:

• A new Outdoor Hub that will relate to the recently created car park at Hardwicke Gate and link a series of new footpaths to an exciting new Multi Use Trail. This new opportunity allows for the following: the entire estate to be appreciated as whole; enhanced management practice to be implemented as well as varying audiences to develop stronger recognition and understanding for Capability Brown’s contribution to this unique designed landscape.
• Improved access to the extensive archive material and surveys of the biodiversity of the estate, as a basis for a wide range of storytelling and activities from the Roman and Medieval periods to the present day
• Following meetings with South Cambridge District Council, agreement to ways of implementing access improvements to Wimpole by public transport, use of new footpaths, public rights of way and cycle ways
• A strategy for opening up doors and gateways to facilitate flows around the Hall, gardens, and park, creating new, wider paths between buildings that improve connectivity and enhance views.

Operationally, we were able to:

• Agree ways of separating back-of-house servicing to the Hall and stables from the public visitor routes
• Thin vegetation in the Pleasure Ground to restore and reveal the Hide and Discover views out into the designed landscape or park
• Enhance ecology and biodiversity by linking habitats whilst identifying the impact of Climate Change
• Agree ways in which a dynamic new play offer can be implemented at Hardwicke Gate
• Develop ideas for improving awareness and visitor experience of the Historic Model Farm, Dairy, Modern and Rare Breeds Farm and paddocks and secure these in a capital work programme.

Overall, this has been an exciting heritage-led landscape study by Dominic and Malcolm for an extraordinary NT estate already leading to the development of new projects. It also allowed us to enhance our understanding of the evolution of the English Landscape Movement and of its importance on an international level.