Sir David Attenborough has lent his support to an ambitious conservation campaign seeking to raise £30 million to purchase the entire Rothbury Estate, a vast upland area in Northumberland. This 15-square-mile (approximately 38.8 square kilometers) estate, which includes former grouse moor, woodland, and farmland, is a significant tract of land with rich natural heritage. Conservation organizations, including The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust, have joined forces to secure the estate with the goal of restoring and enhancing its wildlife habitats, revitalizing its bogs, and promoting nature-friendly farming practices.
The urgency of the campaign stems from the fact that the Rothbury Estate, the largest parcel of land to go on sale in England in decades, risks being broken up and sold off piecemeal if the full purchase price of £30 million cannot be raised within the next year. Sir David Attenborough, a renowned naturalist and broadcaster, has urged the public to support the effort, emphasizing the limited time left to save this unique landscape. In a video message, he highlighted the estate’s significance and called for widespread backing to protect and nurture this special place.
Located in the heart of Northumberland, the Rothbury Estate forms a crucial part of what experts envision as a 40-mile (64-kilometer) "wild" corridor. This corridor stretches from the Northumberland coast through the Simonside Hills to Kielder Forest and all the way to the Scottish border. It represents a vital opportunity to create a continuous, thriving natural landscape that supports diverse wildlife and offers people the chance to connect with nature on a large scale.
Historically, the estate had been owned by the Duke of Northumberland’s family for nearly 700 years, most recently by Lord Max Percy, the Duke’s youngest son. The stewardship of such a long-held family estate underscores its cultural as well as ecological importance. In October 2022, a partnership between Northumberland Wildlife Trust and The Wildlife Trusts was granted a two-year window to raise the necessary funds to purchase the entire estate and safeguard it for conservation and public benefit.
Sir David Attenborough eloquently described the appeal of the Rothbury Estate, noting how people cherish the Simonside Hills for their rugged beauty and wildlife. Visitors often hike the ridges, listen for the calls of curlews, spot elusive red squirrels, and admire the dramatic views among ancient crags. The area also holds archaeological significance, with remarkable rock carvings left by early inhabitants, connecting present-day visitors to the deep history of human interaction with the landscape.
The Wildlife Trusts plan to collaborate closely with local farmers and communities who live and work on the estate. Their vision is to care for and revitalize the natural habitats while supporting sustainable agriculture and creating a space where both people and nature can flourish together. Sir David emphasized the importance of making this vision a reality, encouraging donations of all sizes to help reach the funding target.
So far, the campaign has successfully raised around £8 million in donations, ranging from modest contributions of £5 to major gifts of up to £5 million. However, the challenge remains to secure the remaining two-thirds of the funds. To this end, an online fundraising appeal has been launched to attract further support from individuals, organizations, and philanthropists.
Mike Pratt, chief executive of Northumberland Wildlife Trust, described the opportunity as "once-in-a-lifetime." He stressed that purchasing the Rothbury Estate would enable large-scale, meaningful conservation work, including habitat restoration and improving public access to the countryside. The estate is home to a variety of rare and threatened wildlife species such as curlews, mountain bumblebees, lapwings, red squirrels, cuckoos, and merlins. Its rivers support Atlantic salmon and critically endangered European eels. Conservationists believe that with proper management, the estate’s biodiversity could become even richer.
Plans for the estate’s future include reintroducing large herbivores such as hardy cattle, ponies, and potentially even bison to graze the land naturally, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem. There is also hope that species like pine martens, beavers, and golden eagles could eventually recolonize the area, restoring ecological functions that have been lost over time.
Craig Bennett, CEO of The Wildlife Trusts, highlighted the estate’s significance during an interview on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He noted that the Rothbury Estate is the largest piece