A healthy, natural and beautiful environment in the South West

Brent geese at Studland Bay, Dorset

Creating space for nature and people

Field margins are full of life at Pentire, Cornwall Play Video
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Creating space for nature

Here at the National Trust we’re doing everything we can to make space for nature in the countryside, thanks to your support. This short film explains why connecting with nature is so important, not only to us but for future generations of outdoor lovers.

Good news for wildlife

shrill carder bee on flower

Bee boost at Lytes Cary Manor 

Volunteers, staff and farm tenants worked to improve flower-rich grasslands for the benefit of bees, and now Lytes Cary Manor has been designated as one of two exemplary sites in England for the endangered Shrill carder bee.

A beaver swimming in the river at Holnicote

Beavering away: nature's heroes 

We've released a pair of beavers at the Holnicote Estate in Somerset to improve flood management and support wildlife. The beavers will help make areas of the river more resilient to climate change and the extremes of weather it will bring.

Large blue butterflies on Rodborough Common Play Video
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Large blue butterfly boost

The globally endangered large blue butterfly has been successfully reintroduced at Rodborough Common. Large blues were once a common sight on the commons. Butterflies are such sensitive creatures, and with the large blue’s particular requirements they are real barometers for what is happening with our environment and the changing climate. Creating the right conditions for this globally endangered butterfly has been the culmination of years of work by conservationists and the local graziers.⁠

High Brown Fritillary in the sun on a plant

High Brown Fritillary made a bumper early appearance 

The UK’s most endangered butterfly, the High Brown Fritillary, made a bumper early appearance at a remote British habitat in North Devon, despite serious worries about their population.

A water vole

Water voles make a welcome return to Exmoor 

The water vole is one of the fastest declining land mammal, disappearing from 94 per cent of its habitats. The plan for one of Britain’s most adorable, yet rare creatures is that it will be given a whole new start in a healthy environment, where they can breed and flourish.

Sutton Lane Meadows in bloom

Meadows and wildflowers in the South West 

Meadows across the South West are alive with wildflowers, providing vital habitats for nature. Find out about the work we're doing to care for and improve these special places.

Caring for meadows

Donate to care for countryside and coastline

As a charity, we rely on donations. With our places temporarily closed, vital funding has disappeared. Your donation will help us look after special coast and countryside for everyone, for ever.

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Bird mid-flight at Trevose Head

Joining up the coast 

When nature and wildlife can move freely between habitats, they flourish. Without this freedom, they suffer. Our coastal ambition is to join up the coastline, working with partners to make a link around the coast so wildlife can prosper.
The situation is urgent. Sixty percent of species have disappeared in recent decades and one in ten are under threat of being lost in the near future.

We need to talk about nature
Exmoor in flower in the Heddon Valley, with Exmoor beyond

Heather on Exmoor under threat from climate change 

Every August, the hills of Exmoor are usually awash with a haze of purple. But the hot summer of 2018, and thriving numbers of heather beetles, have turned acres of heather from glorious purple to a muddy brown this year.

Climate change's effect on heather
A birds eye view of Lundy island

Safeguarding Lundy’s fragile nature – 50 years on 

Lundy is now one of Britain’s most precious island havens for both wildlife and people. But 50 years ago this remote, granite outcrop was in sad decline. Working in close partnership with The Landmark Trust, who manage the island on a day-to-day basis, an enormous amount for Lundy’s wildlife and heritage has been done, with more still to come.

Find out what's underway to future proof this unspoiled place
Looking towards Stonehenge from King Barrows Ridge
Stonehenge Landscape   Wiltshire

Stonehenge A303 Road Improvement Scheme

The surface A303 divides the Stonehenge World Heritage Site - one of the most important prehistoric landscapes in Europe. We believe the proposed road improvement could provide an overall benefit to the whole World Heritage Site, providing it is well designed and delivered with the utmost care.

How can the road help?
An aerial view of Brownsea Island, Dorset.

Working with nature on Brownsea 

As an island, Brownsea faces challenges other National Trust places do not, and a lot of time and energy is spent by us and our supporters maintaining and protecting this special place.

View over Kynance Cove, on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

Tidying up the picture on the Lizard  

Find out more about the work done on the Lizard in Cornwall to conserve this dramatic and beautiful natural resource.

Fingle Bridge seen from the Fisherman's Path in May at Castle Drogo, Devon.

Fingle Woods 

Find out more about Fingle Woods, one of the largest woodland restoration projects in the country.

Social Media

We love talking to our supporters, after all we wouldn't be here without you. Join our communities where we talk about coast, countryside, caring for houses, gardens & woods in the South West (and the odd slice of cake).

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