Sharpham on the Telly

The spectacular landscape of the Sharpham Estate on the banks of the River Dart, will be in the national spotlight on Bank Holiday Monday 25 August 2025 at 3.00pm on BBC One, when it features in an episode of Escape to the Country.

Viewers will join presenter Jules Hudson and Jack Skuse from conservation training charity Ambios as they explore the Sharpham Trust’s rewilding fields, and Jack demonstrates how to build an osprey nest.

The artificial nests, made at Lower Sharpham Farm, are part of a project to tempt ospreys back to the Dart Valley.

Ospreys like a single tree that’s isolated, with a good view point. Thanks to funding from DEFRA’s Farming in Protected Landscapes programme, in July last year, several eight-metre-high pole-mounted nests were placed in carefully selected spots on the Sharpham Estate close to the River Dart.

The aim is to give ospreys a safe place to rest and breed, far from any disturbance from human activity. Ospreys need healthy fish populations to thrive – especially salmon. Sadly, like many UK rivers, the Dart is under pressure from sewage, phosphates and agricultural pollution. Restoring fish stocks is essential for the return of these top predators, illustrating a central truth of Sharpham and Ambios’ rewilding work: in nature, everything is connected.

Visitors to the Sharpham Estate — whether attending events or retreats, or enjoying walks and bike rides – can experience this rewilding in action… and will hopefully soon witness the return of ospreys to South Devon.

Julian Carnell, Director of the Sharpham Trust said: “It’s wonderful that Escape to the Country is shining a national spotlight on our rewilding work here at Sharpham. The chance to welcome ospreys back to the River Dart is thrilling – but it’s about much more than one species. By restoring habitats and improving the river’s health, we’re creating the conditions where nature can truly flourish. These nests are both an invitation to the ospreys and a symbol of our commitment to rewilding.”

Jack Skuse, Director at Ambios said: “Ospreys have been spotted locally, but may be unable to breed without suitable nesting sites. Working with an expert team, we’ve installed pole-mounted nests to tempt back the ‘mullet hawk’ – named for their love of mullet fish. We’re delighted Escape to the Country is sharing this story, and this work also features in our training courses, sharing the full journey from idea to installation with our trainees.”

Escape to the Country: BBC One, Monday 25 August, 3.00pm and repeated on BBC Two on Wednesday 27 August at 6.30am

View the programme live here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcone

View the programme on catch-up here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002hpj4