Broughton Sanctuary's Astonishing Wildlife Recovery Brings Hope for the Planet on World Rewilding Day
“If anyone doubts humanity’s ability to restore nature at scale, a visit to Broughton Sanctuary is a must.”
Thursday 20th March marks World Rewilding Day, and Broughton Sanctuary, near Skipton, Yorkshire, is proving that large-scale nature recovery is not only possible but transformational. In just five years, Broughton has restored over 300 hectares of woodland, scrub, and wildflower meadows, turning more than half of its 1,030 hectare estate from heavily grazed pasture into a thriving ecosystem.
The results have been astonishing:
320,000 native trees and shrubs planted
1,400+ species recorded – with specialist surveys expected to push this beyond 2,000 this year
All five species of British owl now present, with Short-eared Owls likely to breed this year for the first time in living memory
13 kestrel chicks and 21 barn owl chicks ringed in 2024
Two resident Otter families, Dippers, Long-eared Owl, Buzzards, and Stoats all caught on trail cameras
Two Beavers were introduced into a woodland enclosure in March 2025, where they will transform the area into a wonderful mosaic of wetland habitats and provide an exciting addition to the visitor experience.
Iron age pigs and Riggit Galloways
Named on National Geographic’s ‘Cool List 2024’ as one of the Top 30 Most Exciting Places to Visit in the World
Rewilding Together – A Community Effort
Broughton’s success is built on collaboration. Working with partners such as Natural England, the Forestry Commission, and the Environment Agency, Broughton has also been supported significantly by the White Rose Forest, as well as the Community Forest for North and West Yorkshire, through their Defra-funded Trees for Climate programme. The project has also engaged over 200 local volunteers in tree planting, habitat restoration, and wildlife monitoring. The Sanctuary now offers free guided nature recovery tours, birdsong training, and specialist wildlife ID courses.
For those exploring independently, the 30km ‘Odyssey Trail’ winds through the Sanctuary, with an accompanying guide detailing over 30 points of interest. Accommodation options range from stays in the historic Broughton Hall to 20 luxury holiday cottages, with wellbeing activities such as forest bathing, wild swimming, and retreats adding to the experience.
Nature Recovery Driving Rural Economic Growth
Broughton Sanctuary goes beyond ecological success – it’s an economic model for sustainable land use. Since rewilding efforts began:
Employment on the land has increased significantly, from just 2 full-time roles when intensively farmed pre-rewilding to 7 today
700 people now work in businesses within restored estate buildings
Visitor numbers and cottage occupancy are rising, supporting local pubs, hotels, and shops
High quality food production has begun, including natural healthy beef from Riggit Galloway cattle and native edible and medicinal plants from a wild food forest
One of the UK’s best known conservationists and rewilders, Prof Alastair Driver has advised on the project since 2019. He said, “I have visited and advised on nearly 200 large-scale rewilding projects in this country in recent years and I can confidently say that this is the most rapidly transformational of the lot”.
Roger Tempest, custodian of Broughton Sanctuary, said, “This land has been in my family for 32 generations, and our work over the past few years has had transformation at its core. I’m so proud to see the positive impact of our work – for wildlife, for the economy, for people, and for the wider community - as we strive to be a force for good and to have positive measurable social outputs in all we do.”
A Global Model for Nature Recovery
With large-scale restoration happening in just five years, Broughton proves that rewilding and regenerative land management can rapidly transform landscapes, boost biodiversity, and support rural economies. Prof Alastair Driver adds, “What has been achieved at Broughton in just a few years - with a committed landowner, a dedicated team, and government support - should inspire hope and action worldwide.”
Plan Your Visit
Holidays at Broughton Sanctuary start from £520 for three nights in a 1-bed cottage (self-catering). Add a Wellbeing Bundle for £70 per person. For bookings and more information visit: www.broughtonsanctuary.com
