The Estate is situated in the Woodford Valley between Salisbury and Amesbury. The Landscape features rolling chalk downlands, mature woodlands, and riverbanks along the Avon.
It’s more than our home — it’s the heart of everything we do. Nestled in the Wiltshire countryside, the Estate is defined by heritage, biodiversity, and a respect for the natural world, reaping the bountiful rewards our meadows, fields, gardens and animals allow us, whilst leaving minimal impact, or even facilitating the natural cycles where we can.
We grow unfertilised hay, with collection delayed until late July to ensure the butterflies and bees have access to an abundance of summer pollen. This carefully timed harvest also allows the clovers and fescues to flower naturally, supporting the local ecosystem.
Our hedgerows are fenced to prevent our sheep from unsettling the nesting grounds of songbirds, pheasants, and partridges. They are left undisturbed until September to allow their chicks to fledge. We also maintain dedicated nesting sites for breeding Barn Owls, Ketrals, and Little Owls, with annual ringing that contributes to a national database, aiding in their protection and monitoring breeding success. Instead of chemical fertilisers, we use recycled horse muck on our game crops, embodying sustainable and considered practices.
Our pristine water meadows remain untouched, serving as vital habitats for a diverse array of wildlife, including four bat species, rare snails, and newts. The presence of these creatures underscores our commitment to conservation and ecological balance.
Bees play a crucial role in pollinating our kitchen garden and surrounding meadows, further strengthening the intricate web of life on our Estate. We produce all our own compost within five bays, utilising recycled matter from the house, garden, and horses, ensuring that every element of our land remains both productive and sustainable. This approach reflects our dedication to an authentic, premium environment where natural beauty and ecological integrity flourish, and where quality produce can be produced for Otis at The Great Bustard.
OTIS TARDA
Taking its name from the Great Bustard of the Wiltshire plains, Otis represents a meeting of landscape and craft.
The unhurried authenticity of Great Durnford. The precision of a modern Michelin-calibre kitchen.
An exploration of place, season and flavour.
A distinctly British dining experience.