The usual perception of historic estates is that they are conservative and static. Yet a select few of historic estates have now become leading innovators as they have been in the past. Common traits include being entrepreneurs as well as collaborators whom challenge the status quo. In doing so, they are unlocking new ways of dealing with heritage and nature conservation, sustainable food production, social inclusiveness, sustainable tourism, climate change and renewable energy.

Insightful and inspirational if not provocative, this book focuses upon exemplary and unusual examples from Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as new prospects of hope for the future. While being utterly relevant towards landowners and managers, this publication will also inform governments, planners, design professionals and anyone interested in the future of the countryside. The examples covered also include best practices in policy and governance as well as exemplary cases of contemporary design on historic estates.