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Land Healer: How Farming Can Save Britain’s Countryside
'Jake Fiennes is changing the face of farming in Britain... a revolutionising force' Isabella Tree Our relationship with our land is we must heal it. Jake Fiennes is on a mission to change the face of the English countryside. As Conservation Manager at Holkham in Norfolk, one of the country's largest historic country estates, his radical habitat restoration and agricultural work has nurtured its species and risen its crop yields - bringing back wetlands, hedgerows, birds and butterflies over 25,000 acres of land. But this isn't rewilding - there is no 'wild' in Britain anymore. Mass farming, crop science and industrial chemicals have destroyed the majority of our natural landscape and wildlife over the last century.
Land Healer is the story of Fiennes's ambition to bring back our flora and fauna - by reclaiming our traditions and trialling new experiments which could restore our symbiosis with our land, and save our shared future. Following the farming year and the natural cycle of the seasons, Land Heal chronicles a life of conservation lived at the edges, and is a manifesto for rethinking our relationship with the natural world before it's too late. 'One of the motive forces behind this new way of looking at the land' - Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England
Land Healer is the story of Fiennes's ambition to bring back our flora and fauna - by reclaiming our traditions and trialling new experiments which could restore our symbiosis with our land, and save our shared future. Following the farming year and the natural cycle of the seasons, Land Heal chronicles a life of conservation lived at the edges, and is a manifesto for rethinking our relationship with the natural world before it's too late. 'One of the motive forces behind this new way of looking at the land' - Tony Juniper, chair of Natural England
272 pages, Hardcover
First published September 23, 2022
12 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Jake Fiennes
1 book2 followersConservation Manager at Holkham in Norfolk, one of the England's largest historic country estates.
Younger brother of Ralph Fiennes, and twin brother of Joseph Fiennes.
Younger brother of Ralph Fiennes, and twin brother of Joseph Fiennes.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2022
This book is written by the Head of Conservation on the beautiful Holkham Estate in North Norfolk. That estate is probably best known now for two things and historically for one other. Today most visitors either head for the Neo-Palladian style Hall and its extensive parklands (with lake and deer park) or even more so for the Holkham beach with its quite stunning vistas of miles of Golden sand. Historically it is known as the home of Coke of Norfolk – agricultural reformer (partly controversially as a supporter and beneficiary of enclosure) and innovator (in areas such as the growing of grass crops and the selective breeding of sheep).
Today though perhaps the most influential part of the Estate, which builds on Coke’s legacy, is the pioneering work (and associated campaigning) that the estate, under Fiennes leadership, is doing to practice and promote a new form of farming which actively encourages restoration of habitats (particularly wetlands, grazing meadows and hedgerows) and which sets out to create a symbiotic diversity of plants, insects and birdlife.
As the book makes clear, and alongside Fiennes friendship with Isabella Tree (who blurbs the book) this is very much not rewilding. Fiennes is still very much focused on profitable and productive arable and pastoral farming – in fact he both sees some of the practices as increasing the productivity of the land, and in other cases argues that most of the benefits are best achieved by using parcels of land which are anyway impractical or unproductive to farm (for example odd corners of fields or low quality land which in itself often allows grasses to flourish which are otherwise outcompeted). He also, particularly as a long time gamekeeper, is passionate about the role that game raring (very much not the artificial import of fledging birds from abroad) can play in his vision.
The concept is a very interesting one – the execution of the book though unfortunately falls a little short of it. The book really comes to life when Fiennes either talks about his own journey and farming experiences and even more so in the often lyrical passages where he describes days on the land through the year. Too much of the rest of the book though is occupied by a blizzard of facts and statistics which, even for me as a mathematician and statistican lost interest as he does not really assemble a coherent story about them – but (if I can be forgiven a gamekeeper pun) has something of a scattergun approach. And similarly sections on various aspects of agricultural policy and law, while clearly vital to the country’s future agriculture and the likelihood of other farmers adopting his approaches, again failed to cohere, at least for me.
So mixed feelings overall, although a book I am glad I read.
Today though perhaps the most influential part of the Estate, which builds on Coke’s legacy, is the pioneering work (and associated campaigning) that the estate, under Fiennes leadership, is doing to practice and promote a new form of farming which actively encourages restoration of habitats (particularly wetlands, grazing meadows and hedgerows) and which sets out to create a symbiotic diversity of plants, insects and birdlife.
As the book makes clear, and alongside Fiennes friendship with Isabella Tree (who blurbs the book) this is very much not rewilding. Fiennes is still very much focused on profitable and productive arable and pastoral farming – in fact he both sees some of the practices as increasing the productivity of the land, and in other cases argues that most of the benefits are best achieved by using parcels of land which are anyway impractical or unproductive to farm (for example odd corners of fields or low quality land which in itself often allows grasses to flourish which are otherwise outcompeted). He also, particularly as a long time gamekeeper, is passionate about the role that game raring (very much not the artificial import of fledging birds from abroad) can play in his vision.
The concept is a very interesting one – the execution of the book though unfortunately falls a little short of it. The book really comes to life when Fiennes either talks about his own journey and farming experiences and even more so in the often lyrical passages where he describes days on the land through the year. Too much of the rest of the book though is occupied by a blizzard of facts and statistics which, even for me as a mathematician and statistican lost interest as he does not really assemble a coherent story about them – but (if I can be forgiven a gamekeeper pun) has something of a scattergun approach. And similarly sections on various aspects of agricultural policy and law, while clearly vital to the country’s future agriculture and the likelihood of other farmers adopting his approaches, again failed to cohere, at least for me.
So mixed feelings overall, although a book I am glad I read.
January 4, 2023
Jake Fiennes is a man with a famous surname, a colourful past and a passion for the countryside. He has drawn on many years of lived rural experience to write an engaging and important book.
My own roots are in farming. My biggest regret of that time growing up surrounded by nature is that I took it all for granted. Even now my knowledge of the indigenous flora and fauna of my local area is embarrassingly limited. As I read this book I found myself locating our 1960s copy of the Readers Digest Book Of Birds, blowing the dust from it and looking up Spoonbills, Egrets and Avocets!
'Land Healer'. What a fabulous title for a book! By having a foot in several camps, it may be that Fiennes can be a healer in more ways than one. Already, as described here, he is making changes that are restoring nature and biodiversity in North Norfolk. But also, by being able to inhabit both sides of a deepening divide, he may also help to heal the conversation.
So many voices in the debate about the future of land use in the UK are either strident or defensive. By contrast, Fiennes is measured, objective and reasonable. I didn't agree with everything he said, but I learnt a lot from reading him.
There is a discussion of Defra's ELMS and SFI proposals as well as the 2021 Dimbleby National Food Strategy. Fiennes' take on these is constructive and helpful, however this section will date very quickly, indeed it already has!!
For anyone with an interest in land use, food, farming and nature this is well worth your time to read and worthy of thoughtful engagement.
My own roots are in farming. My biggest regret of that time growing up surrounded by nature is that I took it all for granted. Even now my knowledge of the indigenous flora and fauna of my local area is embarrassingly limited. As I read this book I found myself locating our 1960s copy of the Readers Digest Book Of Birds, blowing the dust from it and looking up Spoonbills, Egrets and Avocets!
'Land Healer'. What a fabulous title for a book! By having a foot in several camps, it may be that Fiennes can be a healer in more ways than one. Already, as described here, he is making changes that are restoring nature and biodiversity in North Norfolk. But also, by being able to inhabit both sides of a deepening divide, he may also help to heal the conversation.
So many voices in the debate about the future of land use in the UK are either strident or defensive. By contrast, Fiennes is measured, objective and reasonable. I didn't agree with everything he said, but I learnt a lot from reading him.
There is a discussion of Defra's ELMS and SFI proposals as well as the 2021 Dimbleby National Food Strategy. Fiennes' take on these is constructive and helpful, however this section will date very quickly, indeed it already has!!
For anyone with an interest in land use, food, farming and nature this is well worth your time to read and worthy of thoughtful engagement.
July 12, 2024
Deducting one star because he mentions eating mealworms in the future (fuck off!) and one because I didn't feel like it was really addressing the whole country's food security, just describing changes that can be made at the farm level to make farming less productive and more nature-friendly
It's heart's in the right place though, and there's no doubt at all that the guy knows a thing or two. And what he knows feels quite holistic: he isn't trying to solve one problem (climate change, animal cruelty, polluted rivers) he's trying to rebalance things so farmers and wildlife can live in harmony. I like that
It's heart's in the right place though, and there's no doubt at all that the guy knows a thing or two. And what he knows feels quite holistic: he isn't trying to solve one problem (climate change, animal cruelty, polluted rivers) he's trying to rebalance things so farmers and wildlife can live in harmony. I like that
June 28, 2025
This was a very pleasant and interesting read written by someone who doesn’t have a background in conservation, but has plenty of experience in “working the land,” as well as game management and some rewilding. I appreciated the different perspective on land management, especially the focus on regenerative farming principles and the stories of how these worked in practice (such as at Holkham).
My only criticism is that the book doesn’t seem to consider its audience very well - who was it really written for? I enjoyed the personal stories, the bits of history, and the research mentioned here and there. However, if I were a farmer inspired by the book and wanting to implement these principles, I wouldn’t know where to start. A different structure and perhaps more information on further reading would have been helpful.
My only criticism is that the book doesn’t seem to consider its audience very well - who was it really written for? I enjoyed the personal stories, the bits of history, and the research mentioned here and there. However, if I were a farmer inspired by the book and wanting to implement these principles, I wouldn’t know where to start. A different structure and perhaps more information on further reading would have been helpful.
July 30, 2022
Really enjoyed both his approach to regenerative farming and the history of the estate at Holkham that Fiennes shares. As a place we’ve walked often I’ll be much more alert on our next trip to the hedgerows, skies and bird song. My lasting take away will making a difference is about the small changes that can be made easily- we don’t have to wait for the monumental.
July 19, 2022
A well written and timely book, looking at the benefits which relatively simple and low-cost farming measures can yield, if a little thought is applied. You’ll probably be aware that previous European Union regulations actually penalised farmers who let their hedges grow too long, or those who allowed native flora and fauna to return to their fields.
I never thought I’d say this, but it looks like the government have got this right, and, since brexit, are enabling farmers to undertake activities which are actually benefitting England’s wild flowers, insects, animals and birds.
Fiennes sets out to turn his North Norfolk farm into a case study of best practice, demonstrating that, with longer cycles of crop rotation, appropriate and more diverse planting in the off season, a sympathetic and intelligent approach to drainage management and hedge husbandry, significant increases (sometimes more than doubling) in wildlife diversity can be recorded in as little as one year.
As the author explains it, this regenerative farming approach can easily replace the EU’s Taliban farming model; in which everyone chases subsidies by spraying chemicals according to calendar, rather than need, and killing everything that doesn’t fit the plan.
Armed with surprising facts, and covering many aspects of land-based farming (including game, arable and animal farms, but not fisheries) this uplifting and optimistic book offers a rare chink of sunlight on a gloomy landscape, and should be compulsory reading for young farmers.
I never thought I’d say this, but it looks like the government have got this right, and, since brexit, are enabling farmers to undertake activities which are actually benefitting England’s wild flowers, insects, animals and birds.
Fiennes sets out to turn his North Norfolk farm into a case study of best practice, demonstrating that, with longer cycles of crop rotation, appropriate and more diverse planting in the off season, a sympathetic and intelligent approach to drainage management and hedge husbandry, significant increases (sometimes more than doubling) in wildlife diversity can be recorded in as little as one year.
As the author explains it, this regenerative farming approach can easily replace the EU’s Taliban farming model; in which everyone chases subsidies by spraying chemicals according to calendar, rather than need, and killing everything that doesn’t fit the plan.
Armed with surprising facts, and covering many aspects of land-based farming (including game, arable and animal farms, but not fisheries) this uplifting and optimistic book offers a rare chink of sunlight on a gloomy landscape, and should be compulsory reading for young farmers.
November 19, 2023
At times I really enjoyed the writing here, especially the opening - in praise of hedgerows. At other times, reading became a game of "nature writing bingo" - checking off the required mentions of Knepp, shifting baselines, the UK being one of the most nature depleted nations, Silent Spring, 97% of haymeadows lost... and so on. And at other times, he was just wrong, or his arguments rang hollow, particular when defending glyphosate, pheasant shoots, and the idea that UK farm animals are not fed imported soya... None of the writing is referenced, but one of his key arguments cites information from the NFU as being his main source.
And he seems to fundamentally misunderstand the concept of rewilding, pushing the incorrect idea that it's about letting the land revert to woodland, when (as Knepp demonstrates) it's actually about restoring a full compliment of animals, including grazers, and creating a dynamic landscape 'battle' between woodland and grassland where no side ever wins.
Ultimately, then, a well-intentioned and generally readable book that provides some useful insights into the challenges of being a land manager; his thoughts on post-Brexit farming and ELMS are especially interesting. I have no doubt many good things have been achieved at Holkham under his stewardship, but Land Healer is not likely to become the go-to book for an accurate assessment of the key issues facing countryside stewardship and farming in the '20s.
And he seems to fundamentally misunderstand the concept of rewilding, pushing the incorrect idea that it's about letting the land revert to woodland, when (as Knepp demonstrates) it's actually about restoring a full compliment of animals, including grazers, and creating a dynamic landscape 'battle' between woodland and grassland where no side ever wins.
Ultimately, then, a well-intentioned and generally readable book that provides some useful insights into the challenges of being a land manager; his thoughts on post-Brexit farming and ELMS are especially interesting. I have no doubt many good things have been achieved at Holkham under his stewardship, but Land Healer is not likely to become the go-to book for an accurate assessment of the key issues facing countryside stewardship and farming in the '20s.
April 21, 2023
If you are interested in what the future of British farming should and will in part look like then this is a book for you. There is a real feeling whilst reading Jakes work that he really understands the many issues facing our food production and the plight of our natural environment rather than just seeing it from one perspective - it's no wonder his voice seems to carry so much weight, more than those that make lots of noise with little breadth. More than anything it gives hope - not all is lost, and much can be gained. It just takes a view from more than one perspective, not shying away from difficult decisions or only protecting things that are cute.
In all honestly I enjoyed this book thoroughly, I hope to visit the area one day and really see what this looks like in action. You are a breath of fresh air Jake. Thank you.
In all honestly I enjoyed this book thoroughly, I hope to visit the area one day and really see what this looks like in action. You are a breath of fresh air Jake. Thank you.
October 26, 2022
This is well worth reading if you are interested in conservation and the role of regenerative farming. However, I would suggest avoiding the audiobook. It is read by the author which is often a red flag and the delivery is wooden and halting. This is because, as Jake Fiennes admits, he is dyslexic, but it doesn't make for a great listening experience. There are also a few too many statistics for the lay reader, but overall this paints an optimistic picture of how farming done right can promote biodiversity rather than destroying it. Let's just hope the new Tory intake doesn't unpick ELMS and the other forward-thinking environmental initiatives that were amongst the few positives to come out of the Boris Johnson regime.
May 14, 2023
I found this book especially interesting and inspirational, because as Jake Fiennes says, farming accounts for a much larger proportion of the land area of Britain than dedicated conservation areas, important though these are, and therefore application of his ideas to farming could save a really important part of the presently impoverished soil and vegetation of our countryside. He has done his homework, citing government publications and plans, and while welcoming the transition from the CAP, has cogent and critical things to say about the government's new plans for farms and farming. I think his book is one of the most helpful publications on conservation that I have read recently, and could indeed "save Britain's countryside".
December 23, 2022
Conservation Manager at Holkham in Norfolk Jake Fiennes has ambition to bring back flora and fauna by reclaiming traditions and trialling new experiments.
Following the farming year and the natural cycle of the seasons, Land Healer chronicles a life of conservation lived at the edges, and is a manifesto for rethinking our relationship with the natural world before it's too late.
A well written book full of history and vision, you can't help be in awe at Fiennes enthusiasm.
A book I would highly recommend.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing the arc in return for a honest review.
Following the farming year and the natural cycle of the seasons, Land Healer chronicles a life of conservation lived at the edges, and is a manifesto for rethinking our relationship with the natural world before it's too late.
A well written book full of history and vision, you can't help be in awe at Fiennes enthusiasm.
A book I would highly recommend.
My thanks go to the author, publisher and Netgalley for providing the arc in return for a honest review.
December 20, 2023
Jake Fiennes has worked on farm estates for more than 30 years in various capacities. Currently he is the Head of Conservation at Holkham estate in North Norfolk. He shares his insights on how farming with nature benefits both biodiversity on farm as well as food production. The role of livestock in enhancing biodiversity is also discussed and he writes beautifully of the changing landscape over the course of a farming year. Important reading for anyone interested in sustainable farming and the debates currently raging in UK agriculture on biodiversity and food security.
March 13, 2025
A weird mix of casual, conversational phrases, and stilted little redundancies, the writing style makes you wish he would stop trying to position himself as a knowledgeable rebel. It has the smug arrogance of one who has decided he is right, and that other people are too stubborn or unseeing to notice it.
We're struggling with evidence here. All over the place he has scattered half-remembered facts, half-true nuggets of wisdom, half-baked new ideas and the whole time obfuscated his lack of proper research with half-relevant personal anecdotes.
"There is poetry in the common names of so many of these plants" I'm feeling a little hypnotised somehow. The lists of fields and plants, animals and life-cycles eventually won me back a little, it's kind of dull and repetitive but there's maybe some music in there. The style is tough going at times but I tried to focus less on puzzling what he was saying and more on the well meaning affection with which he was saying it.
We're struggling with evidence here. All over the place he has scattered half-remembered facts, half-true nuggets of wisdom, half-baked new ideas and the whole time obfuscated his lack of proper research with half-relevant personal anecdotes.
"There is poetry in the common names of so many of these plants" I'm feeling a little hypnotised somehow. The lists of fields and plants, animals and life-cycles eventually won me back a little, it's kind of dull and repetitive but there's maybe some music in there. The style is tough going at times but I tried to focus less on puzzling what he was saying and more on the well meaning affection with which he was saying it.
December 20, 2022
Narrative of Jake’s work to help restore an estate in Norfolk, not just to “re-wild”, but to support both regeneration and productive farming. He is not totally anti-chemical for example, talking about uses and benefits of glycophosphate, but he is very much in favour of restoring hedgerows, taking non-productive land out of use, the careful use of grazing animals, and other ways to bring a balance and diversity and recovery back to the countryside.
July 25, 2022
Not the best written book but bombs along nicely, passionate and well informed and full of excellent ideas.
May 20, 2023
Bits of this book were good and should be listened to by those who make decisions but I don't think that gamekeepers are always or necessarily the safest people to heal our land.
October 27, 2025
Some interesting facts and plenty to consider. All very well backed up.
October 28, 2023
What started as a pleasant read, gradually became a slow trudge, filled with contradictions, brags and subtle digs at others, interspersed with what I can only describe as romantic test pages for his countryside novel. He spends a lot of time hammering home the results he's accomplished without actually explaining how he got to them. I must admit, at the mention of him happily using Glyphosate, my heart wasn't in it any more.
EDIT: I am currently reading Rooted by Sarah Langford and I'm already finding it a much more enjoyable read.
EDIT: I am currently reading Rooted by Sarah Langford and I'm already finding it a much more enjoyable read.
December 3, 2022
Land Healer is a book which should have ticked the boxes for me. Many of the non-fiction books I read are about Rewilding, Ecology and Conservation. It is a subject I am very passionate about and I enjoy fuelling that passion with ideas and knowledge.
Unfortunately however Jake Fiennes’ book just didn’t hit the spot for me. The mix of biography, history, facts and figures and descriptive narratives feels very disjointed and somewhat arrogant.
The book feels rushed; Holkham about which the majority of the book is written is the Estate Fiennes has been managing for just 3 years. Therefore although the numbers look encouraging I feel it is impossible to put down any increase in bird and wildlife numbers down solely to his ‘Land Healing’ over this time as on any given year numbers will fluctuate wildly depending on weather, predator/prey cycles and other changes in land use both locally and anywhere along migratory routes. It also sounds as if the Estate was already improving before his arrival on the scene.
Also considering the book title the subject of soil health seemed to be somewhat neglected ; and in fact at one point it is suggested that in order to allow space for nature we actually need to make farming even more efficient using chemicals or whatever other means necessary-without addressing how this can be done without further depleting soils and polluting water courses with run off of fertilisers etc. The narratives show a passion for his subject, but are in themselves disjointed and in places contradictory and difficult to follow. In all his title of ‘Land healer’ seems premature and conceited.
I do however see that within all this there are some ideas which can be taken from Fiennes’ work at Holkham. His ability to judge where small changes could lead to big differences is the one real positive which I come away with.
Hopefully as well as continuing to make positive changes on the Holkham Estate, by writing of his experiences, Fiennes will encourage others to take time, tune in and look a bit more closely at those less ‘productive’ pockets of land so that they too may understand where their true value lies.
Unfortunately however Jake Fiennes’ book just didn’t hit the spot for me. The mix of biography, history, facts and figures and descriptive narratives feels very disjointed and somewhat arrogant.
The book feels rushed; Holkham about which the majority of the book is written is the Estate Fiennes has been managing for just 3 years. Therefore although the numbers look encouraging I feel it is impossible to put down any increase in bird and wildlife numbers down solely to his ‘Land Healing’ over this time as on any given year numbers will fluctuate wildly depending on weather, predator/prey cycles and other changes in land use both locally and anywhere along migratory routes. It also sounds as if the Estate was already improving before his arrival on the scene.
Also considering the book title the subject of soil health seemed to be somewhat neglected ; and in fact at one point it is suggested that in order to allow space for nature we actually need to make farming even more efficient using chemicals or whatever other means necessary-without addressing how this can be done without further depleting soils and polluting water courses with run off of fertilisers etc. The narratives show a passion for his subject, but are in themselves disjointed and in places contradictory and difficult to follow. In all his title of ‘Land healer’ seems premature and conceited.
I do however see that within all this there are some ideas which can be taken from Fiennes’ work at Holkham. His ability to judge where small changes could lead to big differences is the one real positive which I come away with.
Hopefully as well as continuing to make positive changes on the Holkham Estate, by writing of his experiences, Fiennes will encourage others to take time, tune in and look a bit more closely at those less ‘productive’ pockets of land so that they too may understand where their true value lies.
December 27, 2023
Really enjoyed the vivid depictions of the scenery & wildlife, you really feel like you’re in the forests & reserves bird spotting yourself
Obviously strong bias towards game keeping / wild style of management. His main prescriptions seemed to be wild hedgerows (big margins, dikes, etc) & managing in line with the land rather than on set timelines? Interesting ideas to incorporate into future. One thing I’ve noticed is that the ethics behind farming & the way people are massively important forces that I think is really under-appreciated
Wondering how to incorporate these land mgt techniques into a usable framework that can more broadly implemented.
The book engages only briefly with two possible farming systems. One is agroecology & the other is sustainable intensification. Fiennes believes a combination is required, but illustrations of either or of the mix are left to the readers imagination.
Draws heavily on 2021 Dimbleby report.
Obviously strong bias towards game keeping / wild style of management. His main prescriptions seemed to be wild hedgerows (big margins, dikes, etc) & managing in line with the land rather than on set timelines? Interesting ideas to incorporate into future. One thing I’ve noticed is that the ethics behind farming & the way people are massively important forces that I think is really under-appreciated
Wondering how to incorporate these land mgt techniques into a usable framework that can more broadly implemented.
The book engages only briefly with two possible farming systems. One is agroecology & the other is sustainable intensification. Fiennes believes a combination is required, but illustrations of either or of the mix are left to the readers imagination.
Draws heavily on 2021 Dimbleby report.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews