THE NATIONAL Trust has received a historic £10 million donation giving the charity unprecedented flexibility to tackle some of the country’s most pressing environmental and social challenges.

The gift – the largest in its 131-year history pledged by philanthropist Humphrey Battcock – comes as the Trust unveils its 2026 plans to restore nature, expand access to green and cultural spaces and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them.

Unlike most charitable donations, Humphrey’s contribution is completely unrestricted, allowing the Trust to allocate the funds where they are needed most.

Excluding legacy gifts, just 2.6% of the National Trust’s fundraising income is currently available for unrestricted use.

Humphrey, who visited Osterley Park and Trust-owned farms in north Devon, said the donation reflects his belief in the charity’s judgement.

He said: “I will have no say over how the charity spends it – and that is because I trust the National Trust to know how best this money can be used.”

Director-general of the National Trust Hilary McGrady described the donation as transformative.

“We must halt the freefall decline in nature before it becomes irreversible; end unequal access to nature, beauty and history; and inspire millions more people to care for the world around them,” she said.

“Every donation, from major gifts like this one to smaller contributions from our 5.3 million members, is vital to achieving these goals.”

The Trust’s 2026 strategy builds on an ambitious ten-year plan launched last year to create 250,000 hectares of nature-rich landscapes, enhance cultural and natural access and address the decline of endangered species.

Initiatives include supporting white-tailed eagles and hazel dormice populations, releasing beavers to improve waterways and upgrading estates such as Stourhead with solar panels and heat pumps to cut carbon emissions.

At Stourhead, in particular, the solar panels will generate home-grown renewable electricity while projects around the site will restore species-rich grassland, create new hedgerows and enhance wildlife corridors.

Together, these upgrades are expected to cut Stourhead’s carbon emissions by over 280 tonnes a year.

The Trust is also widening access to nature and heritage through programmes like Discovery Houses, the Sky Gardening Challenge and the BBC One series Secret Garden, co-produced with The Open University.

Hilary highlighted the importance of these initiatives: “Children need spaces away from school and home to play and explore. Young people need somewhere to slow down and connect with the world.

“In 2026, we want more people to be able to find their place – whether at a National Trust site or in their local community.”