Wildlife charities buy The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland after £30m fundraising campaign backed by Sir David Attenborough
A fundraising campaign backed by Sir David Attenborough has successfully raised the £30m required to purchase The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland.
The 9,500-acre estate, which includes the Simonside Hills, has been bought by The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust.
The land – which also includes 23 properties and 12 working farms - was put up for sale in 2023 by Lord Max Percy, youngest son of the Duke of Northumberland.
Sir David, president emeritus of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “The Wildlife Trusts called for your support and you answered in your thousands.
“The appeal to secure the future of The Rothbury Estate in Northumberland has been successful and now the opportunity to bring the vision of a landscape where nature and people thrive side by side can become a reality.
“This will be a place where nature, community, farming and heritage can combine to create something very special for generations to come. Thank you very much.”
Sir David Attenborough's backing generated more than £1 million in donations in just one week, while a £5 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund was a major milestone.
Last week, a grant of £1.94 million was pledged by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to help the campaign reach its target.
Locally, groups including the Rothbury WI and the Cycling Cranks cycling club have all raised important funds. In total, gifts from members of the public raised over £17 million.
The charities have taken out a low-interest loan to bridge the short-term funding gap between pledged monies still to be received and the fundraising target, ensuring completion of the entire estate.
As the entire estate moves into the care of The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, work begins to turn the ambitious vision for The Rothbury Estate into a reality.
Together, with the community, they hope to create a landscape where nature-friendly farming and wildlife thrive together, habitats are restored at scale, and more people can enjoy and connect with this special place and its rich heritage.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trusts, says: “What a remarkable achievement. The completion of The Rothbury Estate purchase is a defining moment for Northumberland and the North East.
"Opportunities of this scale and significance are incredibly rare. By securing this extraordinary landscape, we've the potential to create a flagship for nature recovery supported by sustainable farming, whilst delivering lasting benefits for wildlife, local people and the rural economy for generations to come.
"It has been truly humbling to witness the support behind this vision. From individual donors to major funders and partners, people have come together in a shared belief that we can create something exceptional here. The Rothbury Estate is a special place and together we have the chance to secure a brighter future for both wildlife and people."
On sections of the estate purchased by The Wildlife Trusts in 2024, a range of projects have already been underway to help build an understanding of the estate’s wildlife, landscapes and history.
New citizen-science initiatives will include reptile surveys, soil health testing and an autumn acoustic monitoring survey. Local people are encouraged to get involved via Northumberland Wildlife Trust’s website.