about us

The West Wratting Park Estate was purchased by Mr. Henry d'Abo from his siblings in 1983. It had been allowed to deteriorate over a number of years and from 1983 onwards Mr. d'Abo set about restoring the Estate and West Wratting Park. In 1983/4 West Wratting Park was reroofed. In 1985/6 the belts surrounding West Wratting Park were all replanted with a classic mix of English hardwoods. In 1988/9 West Wratting Park house underwent a complete restoration. A later Victorian wing which attached the house to the Orangery was taken down and created a new western elevation to West Wratting Park. This put the house back into its original state as it would have been in the early 18th Century. The centre of the house dates from 1710. The wings and top floor were added in 1745. The house is listed Grade II* in the official government rankings.

the gardens

The gardens of West Wratting Park extend to some 20 acres. We have restored the gardens over the last 15 years and this process continues. Our latest project has been to restore the kitchen garden. To this avail we have employed Shirley who continues to replant the 3 acre walled garden with organic vegetables and many different old fashioned varieties of fruit tree. Shirley previously restored the vegetable garden at Walmer Castle in Kent. It is our intention that the Orangery Club will only use vegetables from our own garden and beef and lamb from the Estate. The formal gardens also contain an outside hard tennis court and a large open air pool. In the Summer time we also intend to allow members of the club to eat al fresco on the terrace at the rear of the Orangery overlooking the gardens.

the estate

The Estate is made up of approximately 2,500 acres of arable land, woodland, pastures and meadows. The Estate extends around West Wratting, Weston Colville and Weston Green. Mr. d'Abo farms the Estate, along with some adjoining land owned by our neighbours. The Estate is focussed on good farming practice and conservation. We are currently operating the largest Countryside Stewardship Scheme in Cambridgeshire. The principal aim of the scheme is to create an ideal environment for the English partridge to nest and breed and also to provide suitable habitat for many other indigenous UK species of bird currently under threat such as different wagtails and skylarks. Over the past 15 years we have replanted approximately 150 acres of woodland and 8 miles of new hedge. The farming business continues to be very difficult and as a result we are trying to find other ways to maintain the Estate in its traditional format, such as the Orangery Club. We will also be looking to redevelop some beautiful 18th Century barns situated in Weston Colville into hitech office space suitable for research or biotech companies.

the shoot

Shooting has taken place on our property for the last 300 years. In former times the Shoot was one of the finest wild partridge shoots in the country. As you will see from the above we are trying hard to get back our population of wild English partridges. We run the Shoot as a non profit making sporting club where members may take an individual day for themselves. The majority of the members are close friends of Mr. d'Abo but we also let a number of days to businesses who rent the Shoot as part of their corporate hospitality arrangements. The Shoot is still primarily a partridge shoot though we do shoot some pheasants later on in the season. The partridge shoot has one of the finest reputations in East Anglia. Those who may be interested in acquiring further details should contact Jayne or Dee at the Estate Office.

site by angie moyes, www.fuz.co.uk | photography by stills