Rothbury Estate conservation bid seeks £30 million

The Rothbury Estate, a vast 3,800-hectare domain in northern England, is the subject of a major conservation effort. Held by the Dukes of Northumberland for nearly 700 years, the estate's sale in 2023 represents the largest land sale in England in thirty years.

The Wildlife Trusts is leading a campaign to acquire the entire estate to transform it into a major biodiversity sanctuary. Plans for the land include planting trees in valleys, restoring peatlands, and creating wooded pastures. The organization has already acquired a portion of the estate as of October 2024.

To complete the purchase, the Wildlife Trusts must raise £30 million by October. Through a crowdfunding campaign involving approximately 23,000 contributors, the organization has raised over £21 million. Max Percy, the son of the current Duke, has granted the group a two-year window to secure the remaining funds. If the acquisition fails, there are concerns the estate may be fragmented for commercial exploitation.