Overview
- Philanthropist Humphrey Battcock made the largest cash donation in the Trust’s 131-year history and said he will not influence how it is spent.
- The funding will drive 2026 nature work, including further beaver releases subject to Natural England licences and support for white-tailed eagles and hazel dormice.
- Net-zero upgrades are planned with solar panels and four air-source heat pumps at Stourhead in Wiltshire and a reed-bed wastewater system at Clent Hills near Birmingham.
- Visitor and cultural plans include live wildlife broadcasts in towns, revived public use of historic libraries, more seating in houses, new play facilities and textile exhibitions with Karun Thakar.
- Unrestricted funds are rare for the Trust—only 2.6% of fundraising income—highlighting the impact of the £10m gift’s spending freedom.