Silverstone replica mown into historic gardens

A replica of Silverstone has been mown into parkland at a nearby National Trust property as part of a new partnership between the circuit and the historic site.

Stowe Gardens in Buckinghamshire and the Northamptonshire motorsport venue are undertaking a three-year project to "fast-track" nature conservation and boost biodiversity in the area.

Fans at this weekend's British Grand Prix will be encouraged to donate towards the scheme, which will see upgrades to a four-mile (6.5km) parkland trail.

National Trust Stowe's general manager Tanya Brittain said the eventual aim was to have a "nature superhighway connecting the two sites".

Silverstone Circuit is three miles (4.8km) from Stowe Gardens and was once part of the 18th-Century estate belonging to Stowe House.

The replica of the circuit was mapped using GPS by volunteers from Silverstone, and mown by the gardens' ranger team.

As part of the collaboration, the National Trust will have a presence at Silverstone during the F1 British Grand Prix, Silverstone Festival and MotoGP weekends over the next three years.

Alongside biodiversity, the partnership also hopes to boost active travel, such as walking and cycling between the two sites.

Stephane Bazire from Silverstone said: "Our ambition is to be connected to the ecosystem of the wider Silverstone community, working collaboratively with our neighbours to make Silverstone a sustainable business and leisure destination."

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