Water

By harnessing the power of water and also being careful what we use, the places we find special can stay beautiful for longer

Greenburn beck in full flow
River Derwent

Riverlands: how we keep our rivers flowing 

Rivers are the lifeblood of our landscapes, but now they’re in trouble – and so is the wildlife that depends on them. We’re determined to reverse this decline with an ambitious restoration project to bring our rivers, streams, brooks and becks flowing back to life.

Restoring the riverlands
Beaver kit and mother at the Holnicote Estate, Somerset

First baby beaver born on Exmoor for 400 years 

The pair of beavers we released at the Holnicote Estate in Somerset have had their first baby beaver, which was caught on camera at night swimming with its mother. Find out how these shy creatures are helping us tackle the effects of climate change and create a wetland full of wildlife.

A beaver in a river

Win for Rashford 

Social media users have chosen to name the Exmoor baby beaver after Euro 2020 hero, Marcus Rashford. Rashford is the first beaver born on Exmoor in 400 years, giving hope for future generations.

Llyn Serw with yellow lilies on the Migneint, Snowdonia

Working towards a cleaner, healthier catchment  

Find out how are we working towards creating bigger, better more joined up habitats in the Upper Conwy, that benefit people and wildlife.

Find out more

Hydro power at our places...

The Waterwheel at Aberdulais

The Waterwheel at Aberdulais 

The waterwheel at Aberdulais generates green energy for the site as part of a ground-breaking hydro-electric scheme. So a tradition dating back 400 years or more goes on.

Intake site for Hydro scheme at Honister, Lake District

Hause Gill hydro power scheme 

Harnessing green energy from the wettest place in England

The Archimedes screw in situ at Cragside, Northumberland

Hydropower returns to Cragside 

A new Archimedes screw restores hydroelectricity to Cragside in Northumberland, the first house in the world ever to use it.

A waterfall at Stickle Ghyll, Cumbria

Hydropower 

Discover how hydropower has not only shaped our industrial past also has a key role to play in building a greener future.

A view down the Greenburn valley looking south east

Greenburn Hydro Project 

Providing energy from water since the 15th century, the once industrial Greenburn valley in Little Langdale is now home to the Lake District's newest hydroelectric project. Discover the site's Stone Age history and find out how it will provide green energy for years to come.

Greenburn's latest updates
Inside the hydro turbine building on the Castle Drogo estate

Castle Drogo's hydro turbine 

A hundred years after the story first began, Castle Drogo's hydro turbine has once again roared back to life. Fed by the River Teign, the expertly restored kit now produces enough green energy to power Drogo's visitor centre.

Clean energy at Castle Drogo

Did you know?

  • The average person in the UK uses 150 litres of water a day
  • A toilet 'hippo' can save 1,460 litres in a year
  • Fixing a dripping tap can save 95 litres every day
The Salmon leap on Sudbury Common Lands

Turning water into a conservation win 

Our first large hydro turbine has been switched on at a Snowdonia farm and is now helping to fund our conservation work.

Our renewable energy schemes
Low water taps at Sheringham Park, Norfolk

Waste less water 

Our top water-saving tips will help you save on water use and energy bills.

Tips to reduce your bills

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.

What we do