CLA snapshot

The CLA East Summer Visits and AGMs 2026 programme brought together members across the region for a series of estate visits, rural business tours and annual meetings held between April and June.

Each event combined a county AGM with an in-depth visit to a host estate or rural business, offering members updates from CLA leadership alongside insights into innovative land management, farming and diversification.

The programme began at Burghley Estate in Lincolnshire, where attendees explored a large mixed estate spanning around 10,000 acres. They learned about arable and livestock farming, heritage property stewardship, and future developments including a new farm shop and the St Martin’s Park scheme.

At Camgrain and the Navara Oat Mill in Northamptonshire, members toured a farmer-owned grain storage and processing facility and Europe’s largest oat mill. The visit demonstrated modern supply chains, advanced processing techniques and sustainability initiatives, including carbon-focused farming practices.

The visit to Raynham Estate showcased how a historic estate is evolving into a modern, diversified rural business. Members learned about the estate's anaerobic digestion plant and how digestate is used to support crop production, alongside environmental projects including parkland and lake restoration.

The tour highlighted a broad portfolio of diversified enterprises, including solar energy generation, a reservoir, poultry production, glamping accommodation, self-storage, a new farm shop, a start-up brewery and affordable housing. The day concluded with Raynham beef served at The Copse, the estate's unique private dining venue, offering a fitting example of its commitment to local produce and rural enterprise.

At Savoursmiths and KWS UK, members explored food production and agricultural innovation, from potato growing through to crisp manufacture and crop breeding.

Savoursmiths founders Mike and Collette Smith shared how they diversified into a premium crisp brand that now exports to more than 40 countries, adding value to home-grown potatoes and promoting quality British produce. Members particularly appreciated the candid discussion around exporting, grant funding and the planning challenges associated with business expansion.

At KWS UK, the focus turned to plant breeding and precision agriculture, with demonstrations of technology that can significantly reduce chemical use while improving productivity and resilience. The visit underlined the importance of innovation, food security and investment in the future of British farming.

At Terling Estate in Essex, members explored how Lord Rayleigh's Farms combines a successful mixed farming operation with long-term investment in rural communities. A tour of the estate and village highlighted its support for housing, a village shop, school, pub, tea rooms and community facilities, demonstrating the important role estates can play in sustaining rural communities.

Members also learned about the estate's extensive farming business and rich heritage, including the scientific achievements of the 3rd Lord Rayleigh. The visit included a presentation from EDF Energy on the proposed Longfield Solar Farm and concluded with a question-and-answer session with local MP Priti Patel.

At Welbeck Estate in Nottinghamshire, members saw a large, diversified rural enterprise integrating farming, forestry, creative industries and food production, alongside strong environmental management practices.

At Heathpatch Estate in Suffolk, members saw how a family-owned 5,000-acre estate is balancing productive farming with environmental enhancement and rural enterprise. The tour highlighted woodland creation, biodiversity projects and a Biodiversity Net Gain offset site, demonstrating how environmental delivery can sit alongside commercial agriculture.

Members visited Nedging Hall, a successful holiday let and events venue, before exploring the estate's kitchen gardens, which support its pubs through an "estate to plate" approach. Discussions focused on diversification, community engagement and the challenge of maintaining businesses and services that deliver wider social benefits while remaining commercially viable.

Finally, the programme concluded at Woodhall Estate in Hertfordshire, where members explored a 7,000-acre estate combining farming, conservation, property management and community engagement. Members toured the estate on electric bikes.

The Summer Visits programme offers far more than a chance to see interesting properties and businesses. It provides members with an opportunity to learn directly from people who are making decisions, taking risks and adapting to an increasingly challenging business environment.

Thank you to all the CLA members who attended this year's events, to our hosts for their generosity and openness, and to our sponsors for their continued support in making the programme possible.