How I Built a Website for Dunsany Estate - A Project Rooted in Nature & Heritage

Designing a website for Dunsany Estate was never going to be a typical project. From the first chat, I knew this was something special. It’s one of Ireland’s oldest estates, with over 1,600 acres of land and more importantly, over 750 of those acres have been given back to nature as part of making Dunsany Estate, Ireland's largest rewilding effort.

There’s something really amazing about that. It’s not just a business, it’s a movement in the right direction and I could feel the passion from the team and wanted the website to reflect that properly.

What We Set Out to Do

Randal, the owner of the estate wanted something clean, easy to navigate, and grounded in the real story of the land. Nothing flashy, just a genuine space where people could learn more, explore what’s on offer, and feel inspired to get involved.

So the aim was to:

• Tell the story of the estate’s rewilding and history in a way that feels human

• Highlight what they offer to businesses - things like team days, forest bathing, and rewilding sponsorships

• Keep the design soft, calm and nature-focused

• And make sure it worked well across phones, laptops, everything

The Build

I kept things simple with soft colours, real photos of the estate and the wildlife in their natural habitat, & lots of space to breathe. The design is calm and doesn’t try too hard, which is exactly the vibe I wanted. I didn’t want it to feel like a ‘sales’ website. I wanted it to feel like the start of a conversation - something that is calming, yet inviting.

The layout is clean and structured, but still gives the user a sense of place. Every page has a clear purpose whether it’s for corporate sponsorship, retreats, or just to explain what rewilding actually means.

I also set things up so the Dunsany team could update the site themselves going forward. For example, like adding new offerings or blog posts within a few simple clicks.

The Impact

Since the new site went live, the Dunsany team have seen a 160% increase in inbound leads - mostly from people and companies who want to be part of something meaningful. That’s exactly what we hoped the site would do: give the estate a proper platform to share what they’re doing and invite others to be involved.

It’s also become a place where the community can stay connected - to see what’s happening, learn more about rewilding, and just enjoy the beauty of it all.

This whole project has been one of the most rewarding I’ve worked on. Getting to play even a small role in keeping this estate alive and relevant as a beacon of rewilding in Ireland has meant a lot to me.

The Result (So Far)

The new Dunsany Estate website is now the digital home for Ireland’s largest rewilding project. While it’s still early days, feedback has been incredibly positive from visitors, the estate team, and even a few local businesses now looking for something similar.

More than anything, I’m proud to have helped tell a real story and not just build a website for the sake of it. This is the kind of work I love. It's honest, with meaningful design that reflects real places and real people doing amazing things.

If you’d like something similar for your business, whether it’s grounded in nature or something completely different - I’d love to hear from you.

All the best,

Luke