Rothbury Estate: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Bid to Save England’s Largest Wildland. The Wildlife Trusts charity is racing against time to purchase the entire 3,800-hectare Rothbury Estate in northern Northumberland, aiming to create one of Britain’s biggest biodiversity sanctuaries. With over £20.6 million already raised, they need to secure the final £10 million by the end of September to complete this historic acquisition.
The Rothbury Estate, owned by the Percy family for nearly eight centuries, was used for grouse shooting until 2022. Conservationists fear that if the fundraising fails, the land could be split and sold for commercial exploitation. The charity has already purchased part of the estate, including the famous Simonside Hills, and now seeks to unite the entire area—roughly the size of central London—for nature recovery.
David Attenborough’s video endorsement boosted donations by £1 million in a single week, with over 20,000 people contributing amounts ranging from £5 to £5 million. The land hosts rare species like red squirrels, cuckoos, and hares, and could see the return of pine martens and golden eagles. Plans include restoring peatlands, creating new woodlands, and potentially reintroducing beavers to strengthen flood resilience.
Acquiring the Rothbury Estate would create a 65-kilometre biodiversity corridor from the North Sea inland, a vital sanctuary in one of the world’s most nature-depleted countries. The Wildlife Trusts also aim to work with local farmers on eco-friendly practices and convert an old railway line into a cycling and hiking trail. This is a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to secure England’s natural heritage for generations to come.