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Wildlife Trusts buy 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate for £30 million

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust bought the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate for £30 million.
Defra contributed £1.9 million, the National Lottery Heritage Fund £5 million, and public donations £17 million.
Sir David Attenborough’s endorsement generated more than £1 million in donations within the first week.
Conservative chairman Guy Renner-Thompson argued Defra should prioritize farmers and fishermen over the grant.
The purchase aims to create a 40-mile nature recovery corridor linking the North East coast to Kielder.

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The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust bought the 9,500-acre Rothbury Estate for £30 million.
Defra contributed £1.9 million, the National Lottery Heritage Fund £5 million, and public donations £17 million.
Sir David Attenborough’s endorsement generated more than £1 million in donations within the first week.
Conservative chairman Guy Renner-Thompson argued Defra should prioritize farmers and fishermen over the grant.
The purchase aims to create a 40-mile nature recovery corridor linking the North East coast to Kielder.