The next step in creating a wondrous Woolhope Dome! 

As a part of our long-term vision to protect and restore more wildlife habitat within the wonderful landscape of the Woolhope Dome, we are launching a new fundraising appeal to purchase two significant sites which adjoin our existing nature reserves. 

Please help us raise £400,000 to purchase, restore and welcome visitors to Pear Tree Walk and Church Wood. 

Pear Tree Walk covers 2.49 hectares and adjoins Wessington Wood & Pasture Nature Reserve to the north. The site is a mix of ancient woodland and species-rich grassland. There is also a large pond on site and mature hedgerows. It is so named as an avenue of pear trees once ran through the site which was part of a large country house estate. 

As well as purchasing the land, our fundraising target includes costs for specialist habitat and species surveys, restoration work on the pond, purchasing plug plants and wildflower seed to increase the diversity of grassland species and the first few years of management including regular hay cuts of the grassland and coppicing in the woodland. There is also infrastructure work to undertake – improving fences, gates and paths and installing welcome signs. If we raise our full target, we will also rebuild the barn to provide a storage, work and welfare space.

Church Wood covers 2.60 hectares and is part of a large area of ancient woodland of which Lea and Paget’s Wood Nature Reserve is also a part; the two being adjacent. As with Pear Tree Walk, our appeal target covers both the purchase of the wood and initial restoration and management work including specialist habitat and species surveys, some thinning and safety work, new sign boards, infrastructure and bat boxes. It is named Church Wood as it has been, and is currently, owned by the Church. 

Find out more about the Woolhope Dome landscape