Two years since the launch of their fundraising appeal, The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust have successfully completed the £30million purchase of the estate.
Their vision – to restore nature and create a landscape where nature and people thrive side by side – can now become a reality, thanks to a £5m grant from us and other sources of funding and donations.
The ambition for the landscape has gained widespread support including that of Sir David Attenborough and polar explorer and Northumbrian, Conrad Dickinson.
The Rothbury Estate is home to a diverse range of wildlife including curlews, mountain bumblebees, eels, red squirrels and merlins – the UK’s smallest falcon. One of The Wildlife Trusts’ main aims for this site is to protect and restore the habitats.
The project will work collaboratively with farmers and local communities to establish nature-friendly farming and innovative land management approaches that will allow wildlife to thrive while remaining productive. More people will be able to explore and enjoy the varied habitats across the landscape through improved access and pathways.
The rich archaeological heritage of the estate can be seen in remains such as:
- prehistoric burial cairns
- the ancient Simonside cup and ring-marked rocks
- an Iron Age hill fort
- the ruins of a 16th or 17th century fortified farmstead
However, it’s believed that there could be further history to uncover and share with future generations.
Eilish McGuinness, our Chief Executive, said: "It is fantastic news that The Rothbury Estate has been successfully acquired by The Wildlife Trusts thanks to money raised by National Lottery players. By working with local communities to develop new approaches to land management, this transformational project has the potential to deliver nature recovery at a grand scale, helping to reconnect people to the unique natural and cultural heritage of this remarkable and nationally significant landscape."
Craig Bennett OBE, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “Together, we have secured the future of The Rothbury Estate. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to sharing the next exciting chapter of The Rothbury Estate's story as it evolves.”
