Bidwells’ Rural Investment team advised the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts on the deal.
The purchase of what was the largest ring-fenced estate to come to market in England in 30 years took place in two parts. The first part completed in October 2024 and gave The Wildlife Trusts two years to raise the funds for the rest of the Estate. Since then, Bidwells has helped The Wildlife Trusts and Northumberland Wildlife Trust take on the running of the Estate, and its staff raised funds for the appeal, with Head of Rural, Roland Bull, running the Great North Run.
The £30 million Rothbury Appeal became the largest fundraising campaigns in The Wildlife Trusts’ history, backed by thousands of individual donors, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and the UK Government.
The Wildlife Trusts plan to work alongside local tenant farmers and rural communities to support nature-friendly regenerative agriculture, safeguard rural livelihoods, and enhance public access.
Now secured in its entirety, the Rothbury Estate will make a significant contribution to the government’s target of protecting 30% of land for nature by 2030. Restoring its moorland, woodland, rivers, and farmland for wildlife such as curlew, pine marten, beaver and golden eagle will also matter beyond its boundaries, as the estate lies at the heart of a potential 40-mile nature corridor from the north-east coast to the central Scottish border.
The project will also focus on safeguarding thousands of years of history, including prehistoric cairns, cup and ring-marked rocks, Bronze and Iron Age sites, and medieval structures.
Roland Bull, Partner and Head of Rural at Bidwells, said: “Completing the first phase just 19 days after the offer was accepted took a huge effort from our team, working through the due diligence and negotiations in record time. The two-part structure meant The Wildlife Trusts could secure a significant part straight away while the appeal raised funds for the rest. Keeping an estate of this significance whole was always the priority, and we’re proud to have played our part in making that happen.”
Mike Pratt, CEO, Northumberland Wildlife Trust, adds: "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."
Craig Bennett, OBE, Chief Executive of The Wildlife Trusts, comments: “Together, we have secured the future of The Rothbury Estate. Thanks to the support of tens of thousands of people, funders including The National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and several major donors, we now have an incredible opportunity to restore nature at scale.
“Working alongside local communities, farmers and fellow land managers who know and care for this landscape so deeply, we can help this special place continue to thrive for generations to come. Thank you to everyone who made this possible. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to sharing the next exciting chapter of The Rothbury Estate's story as it evolves.”
