Save the date – Hedgefest 2026

Celebrating the successful completion of the Hampshire Hedge Project

Project partners, funders, landowners and key collaborators are invited to join us at the Broadlands Estate on Friday 20th February for Hedgefest, to celebrate the successful completion of the Hampshire Hedge project.

Location: Ryedown Lane, Broadlands Estate, Romsey, SO51 6AA (What3words: ///sharpened.gobbling.lawns)
Time: 10:00am – 16:00pm
Invited guests only

Set within the historic setting of the Broadlands Estate, Hedgefest will recognise the expertise, commitment and support that have driven this three-year project from inception to completion. It will also celebrate the heritage and long‑term legacy of hedgerows as essential features of Hampshire’s landscape, supporting both biodiversity and local communities.

Event Highlights

• A friendly hedge laying competition bringing together our professional hedge layers and trainees
• Opportunities to reflect on project outcomes and future collaboration
• Networking with partners and contributors over refreshments and hot food

Over the past three years, we have played a major role in advancing CPRE’s national ambition to expand the UK’s hedgerow network by 40% by 2050. As one of the largest initiatives within CPRE’s Hedgerow Heroes programme, the Hampshire Hedge project aims to deliver 15km of newly planted hedgerow, establishing an important wildlife corridor linking the New Forest with the South Downs National Park.

This achievement has only been possible thanks to the generous support of our project sponsors, whose commitment has been instrumental in bringing this ambitious restoration effort to life, including; CPRE Hedgerow Heroes, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire County Farms, Hampshire Forest Partnership, New Forest National Park, South Downs National Park, Test Valley Borough Council, Winchester City Council, The Linbury Trust, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Spurgin Trust, The Tree Council, The University Centre Sparsholt and local Town & Parish Councils across the project area.

As the Hampshire Hedge project draws to a close, Hedgefest is an opportunity to come together and celebrate our collective achievements, discuss the next chapter for hedgerow conservation in Hampshire and acknowledge the invaluable contributions made throughout the project.

This milestone event also takes place during CPRE’s centenary year, celebrating 100 years of championing the countryside for everyone to enjoy.

Due to limited capacity, this event is by invitation only. However, please keep an eye on our social media channels – if additional tickets become available, we’ll share updates closer to the date.

For our valued project partners, further details will be arriving in your inbox very soon.