Visitor announcement
While we undertake essential tree work, the woodland remains closed to the public. We hope to be able to welcome visitors by early 2026.
Harrison Woodlands appeal update
We've purchased Harrison Woodlands thanks to our generous supporters – but we still need your help.
We're delighted to confirm that we now own Harrison Woodlands. We're thankful for each donation that helped us achieve this amazing first milestone.
Our appeal remains open. We need your support to start vital restoration work and create a thriving habitat for wildlife once more. Help us secure the long-term future of the woodland.
Restoring ancient woodland 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.
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.
A truly special wood
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.
195 hectares
of ancient woodland need urgent help.
This will be the second largest restoration project we have ever undertaken in England.
over £3 million
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.
Our restoration plans
By donating to our Harrison Woodlands appeal, you will be supporting our work to restore this degraded ancient woodland.
Credit: Phil Formby / WTML
We'll remove invasive species and diseased trees
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
We'll improve the woodland's ecological value
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
We'll thin the dense conifer plantation
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
We'll open the wood for people to enjoy
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.
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.
Chief Executive
Help us save this ancient woodland
Ancient woodland soils are the remnants of a life-creating and life-sustaining complex terrestrial system. Yet it 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.
Every pound you can contribute will directly aid in the restoration of Harrison Woodlands. With your support, we can save this ancient woodland so that it thrives once more.
Prefer to donate offline?
By phone
Call us on 0330 333 3300 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, and our friendly team will be there to assist.
By post
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.