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After a two-year fundraising campaign supported by Sir David Attenborough, conservation groups have successfully acquired a vast upland property. The Rothbury Estate, spanning 9,500 acres of woodland, farmland, and former grouse moor in Northumberland, was purchased by The Wildlife Trusts—a coalition of 47 conservation charities—and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust (NWT). Their goal is to preserve and enhance the area’s rich natural environment, averting concerns that the land might be fragmented among several owners.
The estate, which had been in the Percy family for around 700 years and was owned by Lord Max Percy, stands as one of the largest pieces of land offered for sale in England in recent decades. Initial acquisitions included lands covering the Simonside Hills and a diverse mix of open land, forest, rivers, and farmland. These groups secured the option to buy the remainder of the estate by raising £30 million within two years, aiming eventually to establish a 64-kilometer continuous “wild” corridor connecting the North East coast to the Scottish border and Kielder. To finalize the purchase, the organizations obtained a low-interest loan to cover the gap between the funds pledged and the total required.
Mike Pratt, CEO of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, described the campaign as “remarkable,” emphasizing the rarity of opportunities to secure such significant landscapes. He expressed enthusiasm about the potential for the estate to become a model for nature restoration, sustainable agriculture, and community benefit. Sir David Attenborough, a prominent supporter who is president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, echoed this optimism, celebrating the victory as a chance to create a space where nature, community, farming, and heritage coexist harmoniously.
The estate hosts important habitats, including Sites of Special Scientific Interest, supporting species like curlew, mountain bumblebee, lapwing, wading birds, and endangered red squirrels. Wildflowers such as harebell, wild thyme, and mountain pansy flourish during summer, while rivers sustain salmon and vulnerable eel populations. Conservation managers envision an evolving landscape featuring more trees and wetlands, with nature guiding future developments. Despite wide public support—more than 25,000 donors contributing alongside major grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)—some local farmers remain skeptical, regarding the campaign as misguided. Tenant farmer Chris Armstrong highlighted divisions within the local community, comparing the debate to the Brexit referendum, while Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson criticized governmental financial support for the project amid challenges faced by farmers seeking sustainable funding. In response, Nature Minister Jenny Riddell-Carpenter defended the government’s involvement, noting the exceptional public backing and the unique nature of the opportunity
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