Wildlife Trusts Acquire Historic Rothbury Estate for Nature Restoration

The purchase marks the largest land sale in England in three decades, aiming to transform the estate into a flagship for ecological recovery.

The Wildlife Trusts have initiated a two-phase deal to purchase the 3,850-hectare Rothbury Estate, with the first portion already secured.
A fundraising appeal has been launched to raise £30 million needed to complete the acquisition of the entire estate.
The estate, previously used for sheep farming and shooting, will be transformed into a nature reserve with regenerative farming practices.
The project aims to enhance local biodiversity, featuring species such as curlews, red grouse, and red squirrels, while maintaining public access.
This initiative is part of a broader effort to contribute to the UK’s goal of protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030.