Big ambitions for wetlands project along Hadrian’s Wall
Hadrian’s Wall nature project set to be one of most ambitious in UK. Tony Henderson reports
A new nature recovery project near Hadrian’s Wall is set to transform over 11,000 acres of farmland and forest into a thriving, connected landscape for wildlife, people, and climate resilience.
The Hadrian’s Wall Wetland Landscape Recovery project covers an area four times the size of Kielder Water.
Following a two-year development phase, Northumberland National Park aims to secure long-term public and private investment for a 20-year delivery programme, making this one of the UK’s most significant landscape-scale recovery efforts.
Thanks to a £750,000 grant from DEFRA’s Landscape Recovery scheme, the venture will restore and reconnect rare habitats, supporting species like curlew, otter, osprey, and water vole, while helping farmers adapt to climate change.
“This is one of the most ambitious nature recovery projects in the UK,” said Tony Gates, chief executive of Northumberland National Park Authority.
“We’re creating a landscape where nature and farming work hand in hand – supporting biodiversity, tackling climate change, and enhancing the well-being of local communities and visitors alike.”
The project forms part of the wider Hadrian’s Wall: Recovering Nature initiative, launched in 2023, and aims to deliver long-term environmental benefits while preserving the area’s cultural heritage.
The project area stretches along Hadrian’s Wall from Greenlee Lough to Bell Crag Flow, linking two National Nature Reserves, 12.8km of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, and over 1,200 hectares of carbon-rich peatlands.
This connected approach aims to:
enhance biodiversity across wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands
support sustainable farming and provide long-term financial security for land managers
reduce flood risk to nearby communities
improve water quality and carbon storage
boost eco-tourism and public access to nature
strengthen the connection between natural and cultural heritage
A further £68,000 from Historic England will ensure more people can enjoy the health and well-being benefits of this historic landscape.
Kit Acton, farmer at Bradley Farm near Hadrian’s Wall who has signed up to the Landscape Recovery project, said: “The Hadrian's Wall Wetlands project represents an exciting opportunity for farmers to engage collaboratively with Northumberland National Park Authority to enhance biodiversity and wider ecosystem services in a working landscape.
“During the development phase we are designing a land management framework that will provide locally adapted solutions for such a complex and iconic site.
“If funding can be secured to carry the project into implementation, we will be able to deliver benefits for wildlife, the environment and tourism whilst maintaining the local rural community, a prospect I am really enthusiastic about.”