National Trust celebrates greatest ever donation in 131-year historical past | UK | News | EUROtoday

The National Trust has acquired the largest single donation in its 131-year historical past – a £10million pledge from a multi-millionaire philanthropist. Director-General Hilary McGrady described the donation from enterprise capitalist Humphrey Battcock as a “huge boost” because the Trust laid out its formidable plans for 2026.

Among priorities are the continuing restoration of nature and rewilding at its websites, persevering with strikes in the direction of net-zero throughout its property and the additional launch of beavers to assist restore natual habitats. There can even be extra seats for guests in its stately houses. The beneficiant donation is unrestricted, that means the charity can spend it because it likes.

“The National Trust represents what is best about our society, preserving our shared heritage for all the people,” mentioned MrBattcock, who serves on the board of Cambridge Innovation Capital. “For over 130 years, it has been at the vanguard of progress for the UK. Its deep commitment to sustainability and to providing access for more people resonates with the values of its founders and reminds us of what is special about our country.

“In making this donation, I want to emphasise that it is unrestricted; I will have no say over how the charity spends it – and that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used.”

Ms McGrady said: “This reward is a large increase for the National Trust – each due to the important work it can fund and due to the religion Humphrey has proven in our strategy by making it unrestricted.

“We believe the challenges we’re setting out to tackle through our new strategy will define our generation: we must halt the freefall decline in nature before it becomes irreversible; end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them.”

The Trust, which has 5.3 million members and is Europe’s largest conservation charity, set out a far-reaching 10-year strategy last year with plans to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscape and increase access to heritage and nature, especially for those who do not live within reach of green spaces.

In 2026 it will support existing populations of white-tailed eagles in Scotland, Ireland and the Isle of Wight to expand further into England and Wales. And following its first beaver release into the wild in England at Purbeck in Dorset last year, the charity plans to release more of the semi-aquatic mammals whose presence can help rivers and wetlands return to their natural state. It is also planning to increase dormice numbers.

As part of its commitment to reach net zero by 2030, the trust said it will continue to upgrade infrastructure, with solar panels and four air-source heat pumps being installed at Stourhead, Wiltshire. There will also be a reed-bed scheme to treat wastewater from visitor facilities at Clents Hill near Birmingham.

The Trust also plans to bring live broadcasts of seals, puffins and beavers and their young to public spaces into towns and cities with “seal mobiles”. Elsewhere, the charity said it was adding more places to sit and reflect on historic properties at The Vyne, Hardwick Hall, Lacock Abbey, Upton House and Dyrham Park.

Efforts to increase opportunities for children to play include a partnership with Disney and Pixar to mark their new film Hoppers, which puts beavers centre stage, and starting work on play facilities at Tyntesfield and Fountains Abbey.

Ms McGrady added: “In 2026, I want more people to be able to find their place, whether that’s at a National Trust place or somewhere in their local community. We will work with other charities, organisations and authorities to try and make sure access to nature, beauty and history is a right for everyone, not a privilege for a few.”