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England's Largest Estate Sale: A Wildlife Trust's Ambitious Plan
1 Jan
Summary
- Wildlife trust seeks £30m to purchase England's largest single estate for nature.
- The Rothbury estate, nearly 15 sq miles, is crucial for a 40-mile nature corridor.
- The trust has until September 2026 to raise the funds for this ambitious project.
Northumberland Wildlife Trust is undertaking an ambitious bid to acquire the Rothbury estate, spanning over 3,800 hectares, which is the largest privately owned land parcel to be offered for sale in England in over three decades. The trust aims to raise £30 million by September 2026 to purchase this significant area, intended to become the central hub for a 40-mile nature corridor stretching from Druridge Bay to the Scottish border.
The project is inspired by successful large-scale nature recovery initiatives in the Netherlands, focusing on ecological connectivity. While rewilding with species like bison is a future hope, the immediate priority is broad-scale conservation. The trust has already secured the western portion of the estate, including the Simonside Hills, and plans include restoring vital bog habitats.
This once-in-a-generation opportunity seeks to create a thriving ecosystem and boost local tourism through wildlife watching and dark sky events. The initiative has garnered support from figures like Sir David Attenborough and local communities, including the Rothbury Women's Institute, emphasizing a collaborative approach where people and nature can coexist and flourish.
