Coombe Bissett Down Project

The Coombe Bissett Down Project (CBDP), funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, was a three-year scheme that doubled the size of one our chalk grassland nature reserves and supported the delivery of a variety of community engagement activities.

Coombe Bissett Down, which is 3 miles south west of Salisbury, now encompasses 70.6 hectares of lowland calcareous grassland – a species-rich habitat that is becoming increasingly scarce throughout Europe. Part of the reserve has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the rare flora and fauna that can be found there. 

The project initiated with the purchase of arable fields surrounding the nature reserve, followed by a habitat restoration programme that reverted one of the fields into chalk grassland. New signs, benches, and waymarked routes were installed to enhance visitor experience, and a host of events and activities took place to engage members of the public with the local wildlife, ranging from lambing sessions and art classes, to wellbeing walks and insect hunts.

The project also provided visitors with opportunities to get more involved with the nature that they came here to enjoy, through insect and bird surveys, training and event days, and volunteer practical tasks. Coombe Bissett Down simply couldn’t be maintained without our dedicated team of volunteers so please take a look at our volunteering page if you want to be part of the action.