Land & landscape

We look after 250,000 hectares of countryside and more than 780 miles of coastline, keeping them accessible for future generations

Morning mist in the parkland at Knole, Kent

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Video

Responding to climate change

Watch this video to uncover how we’re responding to the changing climate at places in our care and why we’re calling on the Government to make bigger commitments and bigger changes in this crucial year of climate action. Through local projects, partnerships and funding, we're working to heal climate harm, everywhere we can. Discover how individual places are adapting, how you can get involved, plus check out our hazard map and what happened at COP26.

Take climate action

Way mark sign on Devil's Dyke — Signpost in the sunset on Devil's Dyke

Restoring rare chalk grasslands

Working in partnership with nine other organisations, we’re embarking on a project to restore swathes of precious chalk grassland on the South Downs. In total more than 800 hectares of land will be managed for nature, providing a vital lifeline for wildlife. The project is supported by a £2.23m National Lottery Heritage Fund grant.

Read about the Changing Chalk partnership

Low autumn sun shining through trees across the lake at Wallington, Northumberland

Mapping archaeology to plant trees at Wallington

We're using aerial mapping technology to identify areas to plant 75,000 trees at the Wallington Estate in Northumberland. The project, funded by the Government's Green Recovery Challenge Fund, is uncovering archaeological aspects of the landscape dating back to 2,000 BC. Find out more about how we're using this analysis to inform our work to tackle the effects of climate change.

Learn about the technology we're using

Erosion on Brown Tongue, Scafell Pike, Wasdale

Help us reduce erosion at the places we care for

We're pleased that so many of you are enjoying the countryside but we need your help to protect the places in our care against footpath erosion. Find out how increasing visitor numbers, social distancing and winter weather are affecting precious landscapes.

Protect the places you love

Historic landscapes

The surface remains of Levant Mine, near St Just, Cornwall, including stacks and beam engine houses

World Heritage sites

We care for special places across the UK. Find out more about the few that have been recognised as globally important World Heritage sites.

Aerial view of the White Horse Uffington Oxfordshire

What the historic landscape means to us

With the help of archaeology, aerial photographs and land surveys, we're uncovering the hidden secrets of our historic landscapes.

View across the arboretum and woods in winter — View across the arboretum in winter

Trees & plants

We care for 25,000 hectares (61,776 acres) of woodland, 135 wild landscape sites and more than 200 gardens, and have as many wonderful stories to tell

Our trees and plants

Why planning matters...

The River Ouse flooding at Sheffield Park

Why we care about planning

We care about the protection of the places that matter. That's why the work we do with the land-use planning is so important.

Damp footprints on the rocks at Poldhu Cove on the Lizard Peninsula, Cornwall

How we engage in planning: our role as a developer

In the course of our work, we're responsible for some new developments, which means that we're a participant in the planning system.

Geese coming in to roost on Blakeney Freshes

Capturing carbon

Almost three quarters of the most important land in our care is vulnerable to climate change. Not only do these landscapes support wildlife they also store and capture carbon emissions. Find out what we're doing to protect them.

Joe in the tractor tedding the cut hay before baling — Tedding the cut hay helps it to dry and spreads wildflower seeds

Working with the landscape

With the landscape as their most valuable resource, our tenant farmers are working hard to protect it, meaning delicious local and seasonal food all year round.

Explore the farms

Help nature thrive

Give back to nature

More than ever before, nature has been our source of comfort during difficult times. But climate change is accelerating the decline of these green spaces. Nature gives us so much, donate today and help us protect these precious places and the wildlife that live there.

Donate now

Our cause

We protect and care for places so people and nature can thrive. We look after the nation's coastline, historic sites, countryside and green spaces, ensuring everyone benefits.