ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS AND GOODWOOD ESTATE ENHANCE LOCAL LANDSCAPE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP

• Three new projects delivered through the Sustainability Partnership between
  Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and neighbouring Goodwood Estate
• Rolls-Royce supported innovative mycelium-enriched fertiliser trial at Goodwood Estate; fertiliser now in use at the Home of Rolls-Royce
• Conservation work at the historic Goodwood Trundle protects important archaeological features while maintaining public access
• Disused pond restored as a wildlife habitat and educational resource for the Goodwood Education Trust
• Latest projects build on a longstanding relationship encompassing tree planting, habitat creation, wildflower restoration and research into local wildlife

 
“Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has been privileged to call Goodwood its home for more than 20 years; the breathtaking landscape, thriving biodiversity and proud heritage of the area are part of what makes the Home of Rolls-Royce such a special place to visit for our clients. As our business has developed, so too has our relationship with Goodwood Estate, giving us opportunities to share knowledge and resources in ways that benefit our shared environment. These latest projects reflect the breadth of that relationship, from protecting an important historic site and creating new opportunities for young people to experience nature, to exploring new approaches to caring for the grounds at the Home of Rolls-Royce and Goodwood Estate.”
Samuel Beadle, Corporate Communications Manager, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars


Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Goodwood Estate have delivered three new projects to protect and enhance their shared landscape. This builds on the successful Sustainability Partnership between the two organisations, which focuses on sharing expertise and resources across key projects.

The latest initiatives promote biodiversity and wildlife habitation enhancement through an innovative mycelium fertiliser trial, as well as the restoration of a disused pond at Goodwood Home Farm, which has become an educational resource for local schools. Rolls-Royce has also supported Goodwood Estate with conservation work at the historic Goodwood Trundle, an ancient hilltop monument known for its spectacular panoramic views across the South Downs, Chichester Harbour and the English Channel.


MYCELIUM FERTILISER TRIAL

Rolls-Royce has supported a successful trial of mycelium-enriched fertiliser at Goodwood Estate, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance biodiversity across the wider Goodwood landscape. Innovation is at the heart of Rolls-Royce’s core ethos, and this philosophy extends beyond the motor car, with the marque’s environmental specialists using some of the innovative fertiliser as part of biodiversity measures at the Home of Rolls-Royce.

Developed and successfully incorporated across the neighbouring Goodwood Estate, the natural fertiliser uses mycelium – the root-like structure of fungi – to improve soil health, strengthen ecosystems and reduce reliance on synthetic alternatives. The fungi-enriched pellets regenerate the biological layer of soil, improving crop resilience while supporting carbon and nature outcomes.

This initiative complements the extensive landscaping and habitat creation measures incorporated into Rolls-Royce’s site extension project, approximately one-third of which will comprise features and measures specifically designed to support wildlife and promote biodiversity.


GOODWOOD TRUNDLE CONSERVATION

Rolls-Royce has supported Goodwood Estate with key conservation works at the historic Goodwood Trundle, seeking to fortify and preserve one of the area’s most important landmarks for future generations.

Located around three miles from the Home of Rolls-Royce, the Trundle is a Scheduled Monument comprising an ancient Iron Age hillfort and Neolithic monument, with archaeological evidence suggesting it has been used by people for around 5,000 years. As interest in the site has grown in recent years, so too has the volume of visitors, resulting in erosion damage from the increased footfall.

By working closely with Historic England and the South Downs National Park Authority, several non-invasive methods of protection have been identified, including a new replenishable chalk layer within the Trundle’s ramparts to help prevent damage to the underlying archaeology. Interpretation boards and short films have been developed to help visitors discover the Trundle’s remarkable history, understand the importance of its ecology and encourage responsible enjoyment of the unique landscape.

One of the key reasons Goodwood was chosen to become the Home of Rolls-Royce was the fascinating heritage of the local area. While it is largely known for its motoring heritage, Goodwood is also home to a number of notable landmarks within the South Downs National Park, including the Trundle. Supporting Goodwood Estate with this project is one way in which Rolls-Royce can help to preserve and enhance the unique visitor experience in this beautiful locality, both for its own clients and the local community.


GOODWOOD HOME FARM POND RESTORATION

Supporting educational initiatives for young people is a key focus area within Rolls-Royce’s efforts to support its local community. One way in which the marque has been able to realise this ambition is through its support of Goodwood Estate’s restoration of a disused pond at Goodwood Home Farm, which has been integrated into the Goodwood Education Trust’s wider curriculum. The restored pond is now used as a living laboratory, where students can explore topics such as ecology, conservation and sustainability.

After 30 years of inactivity, the pond is now a thriving habitat for local wildlife and a valuable resource for environmental education. Following expert consultation with ecologists, a number of enhancement measures were identified, including reshaping the pond to improve access for larger mammals, such as deer and foxes, and introducing a carefully selected mix of native aquatic plants to enhance biodiversity. A new jetty was also constructed to allow safe access to the pond’s edge, enabling school children to engage with nature through pond-dipping and ecological observation.


A LONGSTANDING PARTNERSHIP

The three projects build on the longstanding Sustainability Partnership between Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Goodwood Estate, which has delivered a range of initiatives across the marque’s surrounding landscape.

Previous projects have included the planting of more than 60,000 trees, thereby helping to create and connect wildlife habitats, together with investment in a specialised wildflower seed harvester that enables native species to be collected and replanted across the Estate. Research projects have also examined the movement of rare Barbastelle bats, building an understanding of how they use the local landscape and Chichester’s Strategic Wildlife Corridor – part of which passes through the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood.

The Sustainability Partnership has also supported the creation of new permissive walking routes around the Goodwood Estate, improving public access to the surrounding countryside alongside further tree planting and habitat creation.

Taken together, these projects illustrate a broad and evolving shared approach to environmental enhancement. The combined efforts of both organisations help to safeguard and enhance the area’s thriving wildlife, idyllic surroundings and fascinating heritage.