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Hedgerow Hub
Hedgerows are vital for Hampshire’s wildlife and landscapes. They provide food and shelter, connect habitats, store carbon and help create a healthier, more resilient countryside for people and nature.
How CPRE Hampshire protects and restores hedgerows
We work with landowners, volunteers, communities and partners across Hampshire to restore existing hedgerows, plant new ones and build the skills needed to care for them for generations to come. We:
✔ Restore and plant
We help create new hedgerows and restore existing ones, improving connectivity between habitats and supporting nature.
✔ Work with landowners
We collaborate with landowners and farmers to build hedgerow management skills and increase the network of healthy hedgerows across Hampshire.
✔ Create communities of hedgerow heroes
Volunteers and communities help deliver practical hedgerow work, while learning about the value of hedgerows and how to care for them.
✔ Build skills for the future
We provide training and opportunities to develop traditional skills such as hedge laying, helping ensure there are people with the knowledge to manage hedgerows in the long term.
Our ambitions for 2026-27
This season, we’re continuing to restore and plant new hedgerows across Hampshire and providing opportunities for people to learn practical conservation skills and get involved in their local landscape.
Our goal is to plant and restore 15km of hedgerow between 2026-2029.
Want to find out more?
Hedge laying courses available now
We have two-day hedge laying courses and one day improver courses available to book now. View upcoming courses on our events page.
Find out moreOur impact
Nationally, CPRE has been running a ‘Hedgerows Heroes’ project since 2021. CPRE Hampshire has been part of this since this beginning, planting and restoring hedgerows across the Hampshire countryside.
The Hampshire Hedge
As part of Hedgerow Heroes, since 2023 CPRE Hampshire ran an ambitious local project, ‘the Hampshire Hedge’. The goal was to connect the South Downs and New Forest National Parks in Hampshire. This project is now completed and we’ve achieved:
- 16,222m of new hedges planted (well beyond our target of 15,000m!)
- More than 300 volunteers involved
Enjoy watching a short film from Simon Dures below, which followed our Hampshire Hedge project and some of the people involved.
The Hedge by Simon Dures
The Hedge follows the Hampshire Hedge Project, which brings communities together to plant new hedgerows and learn the traditional craft of hedge laying.
The film explores how reviving rural skills can reconnect people with the land and help restore habitats that have been disappearing.
Recent hedgerow projects
Work with us
Landowners
Do you own or manage land in Hampshire?
We work with landowners to plant new hedgerows, restore existing ones and improve their management for wildlife. We can help you explore what’s possible on your land and connect you with the right support.
We are particularly keen to speak with landowners in Fordingbridge and surrounding areas.
Landowner stories
Work with us
Volunteers
Help us restore and care for Hampshire’s hedgerows.
Our hedgerow volunteers get involved in practical conservation work, from planting new hedgerows to learning traditional hedge-laying skills. You’ll work alongside our team and other volunteers to make a lasting difference for nature and Hampshire’s countryside.
What’s involved?
• Activities take place outdoors and can be physically active
• No previous experience is needed
• Equipment and training is provided
• Activities take place at different sites across Hampshire
• Flexible to suit your availability – come as a one-off, or as often as you can!
Interested in volunteering?
We are currently looking for volunteers for our 2026-27 hedgerow season. Visit our hedgerow volunteer page for more information and to apply.
Work with us
Training and courses
Build your skills in hedge laying and hedgerow management.
We offer training and courses for people who want to develop practical countryside skills. Find a list of current training opportunities and courses below.
Current training opportunities and courses
Work with us
Communities
Help your community plant a hedge
Could your school, village green, community space or sports ground benefit from a new hedgerow?
Our Community Hedge Fund is now open for applications, providing hedge plants (whips), guards and canes for publicly accessible projects.
There are also other sources of funding available to help plant and restore hedges. Find a current list below.
Funds and grants for hedges
Woodland Trust – MOREhedges scheme for landowners and farmers (hedge must be 100m+)
Woodland Trust – Free trees for schools and communities (includes a hedge pack option)
i Dig Trees – Community tree packs (includes a hawthorn hedge pack)
International Tree Foundation – UK & Ireland Community Tree Planting Grants (includes for hedging)
The Tree Council – Brancing Out Fund
Community Hedge Fund Now Open
The CPRE Hampshire Community Hedge Fund helps local communities plant and restore hedgerows by providing hedge plants (whips), guards and canes. Projects must be completed by March 2027.
Find out morePartnerships
Restoring hedgerows at scale across Hampshire isn’t something we can do alone. Through collaboration, teamwork and partnerships, we can make a bigger impact.
Our funding partners help us turn our ambitions into action – from planting and restoring hedgerows to training the next generation of skilled hedge layers and involving local communities.
We are very thankful for their support in making our Hedgerow Hero projects successful and sustainable. Together, we can create a beautiful, thriving countryside for everyone to enjoy.
Thank you to our partners and funders
Resources and guides
Find helpful guides below if you would like to know more about hedges, if you look after a hedge or are interested in professional hedgelaying and resources for schools.
If we can help with any additional resources or information, please get in touch.
General hedge knowledge
Guide to identifying hedgerow trees and shrubs in winter
A rough guide to hedges (from 2022, still ok?)
A natural history of hedgerows from CPRE Hampshire
A history of hedgerows – visual guide
Resources for professionals
Tips on how to become a professional hedge layer
(external link – Top ten tips for a healthy hedge from Hedgelink)
Hedgelaying – a countryside craft from CPRE
Resources for schools
