Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we've been able to purchase Harrison Woodlands.
We're delighted to confirm that we now own Harrison Woodlands. We're thankful for each and every donation that helped us achieve this amazing first milestone. The strength of our fundraising campaign has given us the confidence to proceed even without all of the funds being in place. We still need your help to secure its long-term future.
Now that we've secured ownership, we can start to plan the exciting next steps to create a thriving habitat for wildlife once more. Ancient woodland restoration takes time, patience and resource. The benefits to the woodland ecosystem can be enormous, but to unlock these gains for nature we need financial security to implement a long-term management plan. Our fundraising and appeal remains live to ensure this.
While we undertake essential tree works to make the site safe, the woodland remains closed to the public. We hope to be able to welcome visitors by early 2026.
Recorded in the Domesday book, Harrison Woodlands is special. It is a vast ancient woodland stretching across the magnificent Lincolnshire Wolds in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The woodland is home to goshawks that can be seen weaving in and out of the trees, and one of only four known pairs of nesting ravens in Lincolnshire. It's also one of the few places in the region where you can spot the white admiral butterfly.
Harrison Woodlands is steeped in history too. There are two late Neolithic to late Bronze Age bowl barrows that are scheduled ancient monuments. They mark the site of a Neolithic burial ground.
of ancient woodland need urgent help
This will be the second largest restoration project we have ever undertaken in England.
needs to be raised
We are so pleased that Harrison Woodlands is now in our ownership, but to secure its long-term future, we need to continue raising funds to deliver extensive restoration work over the coming years.
The chance to return this ancient woodland to a thriving wildlife haven is one we're really looking forward to.
It is the most significant woodland in the area and the potential for positive change is huge. With your support, we can restore an irreplaceable piece of ancient woodland and create a thriving, biodiverse habitat for future generations. Please help us protect and restore it while we still can.
If ever there was a site which encompasses our conservation principles, it's this one. Having been able to bring this wonderful wood into our care will see a valuable and irreplaceable ancient woodland, and its wildlife, given a vibrant and healthy future.
By donating to our Harrison Woodlands appeal, you will be supporting our work to restore this damaged ancient woodland.
Credit: Phil Formby / WTML
By removing invasive species like rhododendron, we'll encourage a wide range of woodland indicator flowers like wood anemone, woodruff and bluebells to return. We'll also remove large areas of trees severely affected by ash dieback. Installing deer fencing will allow for natural regeneration to take hold.
Credit: Phil Formby / WTML
Through the management of rides, veteran trees and retention of deadwood, we'll ensure that biodiverse habitats are available to support the local wildlife. As restoration progresses, we're confident that warblers and breeding birds including great spotted woodpecker, treecreeper and tree sparrow will return to Harrison Woodlands.
Credit: Phil Formby / WTML
Harrison Woodlands is in poor ecological condition. It has a woodland structure consisting mainly of non-native conifers and dense stands of beech. Gradually thinning the conifer plantation will allow the remnant ancient woodland species to reclaim the wood.
Credit: Phil Formby / WTML
As soon as it is safe to do so, we'll open the gates again for everyone to freely enjoy walks alongside wildlife including the hare, nuthatch and goldcrest.
Ancient woodland soils are the remnants of a life-creating and life-sustaining complex terrestrial system. Yet ancient woodland only covers 2.5% of the UK's land area, and most of what remains is not in good condition. For our own survival we must protect it, restore it and allow it to thrive.
Please donate whatever you can to help us save this ancient woodland. Every pound you can give will be used to restore Harrison Woodlands and bring it back to its former glory, for nature and for people.
Call us on 0330 333 3300 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and our friendly team will be there to assist.
Send a cheque to our head office at Harrison Woodlands Appeal, Woodland Trust, Kempton Way, Grantham, Lincolnshire, NG31 6LL. Please make cheques payable to the Woodland Trust.
