Set in the heart of the Mendip Hills is a place of quiet beauty, deep history, and rich wildlife. Chancellor’s Farm is a time capsule whose flower-filled meadows, dry stone walls and historic buildings tell the story of a landscape shaped over hundreds of years by people and nature working together.

In a country where so many wildflower meadows have been lost, Chancellor’s Farm is something rare and precious. 

These meadows have survived due to generations of farming practices that prioritise nature and biodiversity alongside food production. These outstanding fields of wildflowers have taken decades to reach their spectacular peak but could disappear all too easily. Once lost, they are gone for good.

For nearly 40 years, Somerset Wildlife Trust has cared for this remarkable place. Because of that work, Chancellor’s Farm is now one of the few places in the UK where species-rich hay meadows of this size and diversity still thrive.

But this special place is at risk.

When we discovered that Chancellor’s Farm was going to be sold, we knew that we had to protect this extraordinary place and continue the decades of care that we’d already committed as leaseholders.

We quickly made the crucial decision that we needed to buy the farm. We partnered with the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, who have purchased the land on our behalf. We are now launching our appeal to raise £2.15m to buy the land from them, so it can be protected for generations to come.

By giving today, you can help save Chancellor’s Farm. You can protect the meadows, the incredible wildlife, and the enduring history.

Many generations have lived at Chancellor’s Farm, working hard to provide for themselves and their community. We want to ensure this ethos continues and is translated into the modern world, where people come together to work hard for the benefit of nature, learning skills which will support the wider landscape and beyond.

This is about more than buying a piece of land. It’s about securing the future of a truly irreplaceable habitat that has taken centuries to form. It’s about protecting what matters at a time when nature really needs our help.

It’s about making a promise to future generations: that we did not look away when this special place needed us.

Please give what you can today. Your support will help save Chancellor’s Farm and ensure that its meadows, wildlife, history, and quiet beauty endure.

Find out more about Chancellor's Farm

Become a Friend of Chancellor’s Farm

Individual supporters who give £5,000 or more to our Chancellor’s Farm project are recognised as Friends of Chancellor’s Farm. The support of each Friend has a substantial impact towards saving this rare and special Farm. We will encourage you to be closely involved in this important and ambitious project. As a member of our closest group of supporters of this project, you will be invited to annual visits to this closed site, along with talks, project updates and more.

If you would like to become a Friend or find out more, please contact Michael Woodman, Philanthropy Manager, michael.woodman@somersetwildlife.org

Other ways to donate

Any gift you can give to help us protect this special site will make a huge difference. Please help us if you can.

You can also donate securely by card by telephoning Sonia on 01823 652429 or by cheque payable to Somerset Wildlife Trust sent to 34 Wellington Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5AW.

Every donation, whatever the size, will make a difference.

Thank you so much for your continuing support.