What is the Rothbury estate sale about?

The Rothbury estate, England's largest single land sale in 30 years, is being purchased by a wildlife trust for a major nature recovery project.

How much money does the Northumberland Wildlife Trust need?

The trust needs to raise £30 million to purchase the Rothbury estate by September 2026.

What is the goal of the Rothbury estate acquisition?

The goal is to create a 40-mile nature corridor from the coast to the Scottish border, fostering ecological connectivity and biodiversity.

Home / Environment / England's Largest Estate Sale: A Wildlife Trust's Ambitious Plan

England's Largest Estate Sale: A Wildlife Trust's Ambitious Plan

1 Jan

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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.

England's Largest Estate Sale: A Wildlife Trust's Ambitious Plan

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.