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9 carnivorous plants to spot in the UK

Did you know there are carnivorous plants in the UK? Take a look at some of the predatory and parasitic plants you could spot in our woods and wetlands.

Charlotte Varela  •  28 Jun 2023

Blog

9 of the UKs rarest animals

Much of our beloved wildlife is in decline. Find out about nine of the rarest species in the UK right now, and what we are doing to help save these precious creatures.

Hannah Vickers  •  15 Apr 2019

Blog

Forest animals: 9 animals adapted to forest life

From scampering squirrels to beautiful butterflies, discover how our woodland species are perfectly adapted to a life among the trees.

Charlotte Varela  •  09 May 2019

Blog

9 outdoor Easter activities for families

Get outdoors in the Easter holidays and enjoy our fun nature activities for kids - try nest building, go on a scavenger hunt and nibble on an Easter-themed picnic!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Apr 2022

Blog

9 rare and beautiful wild UK orchids

Orchids are some of the most beautiful and unique wild plants you'll see in the UK. They are rare but well worth finding if you are up for the challenge.

Laura Cottam  •  29 May 2019

Blog

9 fun ideas for family winter walks

Head out into the fresh air and get inspired with our ideas for winter woodland walks - enjoy spotting wildlife, scavenger hunts, winter picnics and more.

Danielle Wesley  •  14 Dec 2020

Support us

Green Farm appeal, Norfolk

Only 9% of Norfolk is wooded. We have an opportunity to almost double the tree cover in our care in the county, but we need your support to help us buy the land we need to create a new native woodland.

Policy paper

Coed a choedwigoedd: wrth galon adferiad byd natur yng Nghymru

Mae’r adroddiad hwn yn dangos y rôl ganolog y mae’n rhaid i goedwigoedd a choed naturiol a lled-naturiol brodorol ei chwarae wrth adfer natur yng Nghymru, a sut y gall y llywodraeth ac awdurdodau lleol helpu.

PDF  (18.60 MB)

Policy paper

Trees and woods: at the heart of nature recovery in Wales

This report shows the central role that native natural and semi-natural woods and trees must play in restoring nature in Wales, and how the government and local authorities can help. The report is also available in Welsh.

PDF  (18.56 MB)

Protecting trees and woods

Campaign win: new planning rules protect Scotland’s ancient woods and trees

Scotland's planning policy has been updated to protect irreplaceable ancient woods and trees from inappropriate development. 

Press centre

Have your say on tree protection in Northern Ireland

The Woodland Trust has invited the Northern Irish public to participate in a consultation on a Tree Protection Bill.

Press centre

The Woodland Trust’s Mourne Park is awarded £2.5 million windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund

Mourne Park is set to reopen following damage from Storms Darragh and Éowyn, with a significant financial windfall from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Trees woods and wildlife

Pied flycatcher

A quick and skilled aerial hunter. These summer visitors thrive in the mild, wet conditions of the UK's temperate rainforest.

Trees woods and wildlife

Privet hawk-moth

Gentle giants of the moth world. These strong fliers are brightly coloured as both caterpillars and adults, going from vibrant green to blushing pink.

Press centre

Young people's climate anxiety is soaring due to lack of access to green space

One in three young people in Britain are scared (33%), sad (34%) or pessimistic (34%) about climate change, with 28% feeling “overwhelmed”, according to a YouGov poll.

Blog

11 waterfall walks to visit in our woods

From gently tumbling streams to powerful cascades, waterfalls are mesmerising. Check out the best waterfall walks in and around our woods across the UK.

Charlie Mellor  •  15 Jan 2021

Press centre

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland plants 250,000 trees at Woodburn Reservoir

The Woodland Trust has been working in partnership with Northern Ireland Water on a regreening programme since 2020. During that time, the UK’s leading woodland conservation charity has planted around 476,000 native trees on Northern Ireland Water’s land.

Press centre

Former golf course becomes wooded haven for wildlife

A former golf course in north Cheshire is to be transformed by the Woodland Trust into a haven for nature and a wild place for communities to visit for years to come.

Blog

Top 10 coastal woods in the UK

Bats, rare butterflies, dinosaur footprints and even the roar of a whirlpool – these coastal woods are just waiting for you to visit.

Charlie Mellor  •  18 Jun 2019

Trees woods and wildlife

Scottish wildcat

Stealthy, rugged, not your average mog. The Scottish wildcat prowls select Scottish woods, spending its time hunting and protecting its territory. Known as the Highland tiger, this highly endangered species needs remote woodland to survive.

Trees woods and wildlife

Coal tit

The tiniest of tits with dull grey feathers to match its name. The coal tit is a frequent visitor to bird feeders across the UK.

Visiting woods

Love your woods

Our woods are home to amazing plants and animals and they're all free for people to enjoy responsibly. Show them you care with our top tips for your visit.

Support us

Have a flutter

Play our raffle to be in with a chance to win a cash prize - all while supporting our work for woods and trees.

Press centre

A huge win for irreplaceable ancient woodland

Oldhouse Warren ancient woodland has had a stay of execution after Center Parcs abandoned its plans to develop a new village within this irreplaceable habitat.

Blog

What hatched here? How to identify bird egg shells

Found a fragment of egg in the garden, woods or park? Here's a quick guide to the most common UK bird eggs too help you find out which species it came from.

Helen Keating  •  05 May 2020

Blog

10 best trees to attract birds and other wildlife

Native trees offer birds and other animals vital food and shelter all year round. Boost biodiversity with our top 10 trees suited to small gardens and larger spaces.

Charlie Mellor  •  02 May 2023

Press centre

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland welcomes Tree Protection Bill

Woodland Trust Northern Ireland has welcomed a Private Members Bill submitted at Stormont to protect trees.

Trees woods and wildlife

Walnut

Food of the gods, medicine for the people. Walnut was first introduced by the Romans who, like much of our native wildlife, valued its nuts.

Blog

Bird song identification: songs and calls for beginners

How many birds can you identify by sound alone? Learn to tell some of the UK's most familiar and distinct bird songs apart with our handy guide.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  13 Feb 2024

Blog

Autumn leaf ID quiz: can you identify 10 trees?

Test your tree knowledge. As autumn sets in, many of the trees around us change colour, but do you know what they are?

Helen Keating  •  21 Sep 2020

Blog

Wander through history: fascinating ruins and relics in 10 UK woods

Walk back in time and discover heritage sites and historical ruins in some of the UK’s most enthralling woodlands, from ramparts and barrows to abandoned buildings and bomb shelters.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  01 Mar 2024

Blog

What do moths eat? Feeding, life cycle and other facts

Explore how some of the 2,500 species of UK moth develop and what they eat. 

Julia Lock  •  09 May 2022

Trees woods and wildlife

Chestnut, sweet

Introduced by the Romans and a roasted winter treat. These long-lived giants, with their prickly-husks and deeply grooved bark, give us our classic Christmas nut.

Protecting trees and woods

Scotland's nature needs help to recover and thrive

We need a robust delivery strategy for biodiversity in Scotland.

Blog

10 eco-friendly New Year's resolutions

Whether you’re making a small commitment or a big change, here are 10 ways to do your bit for nature with an eco-friendly New Year's resolution.

Charlie Mellor  •  23 Dec 2021

Blog

Top 10 green gifts for gardeners

Looking for eco-friendly inspiration for your favourite gardening guru or want to encourage a beginner? From windowsill pots to established veg plots, our green gift guide has got you covered.

Charlie Mellor  •  11 Oct 2024

Blog

Animal mating rituals: 12 eye-opening breeding habits

Discover the extraordinary mating behaviours of 12 wild animals, including hares, stag beetles, newts and snakes!

Danielle Wesley  •  12 Feb 2024

Blog

11 autumn leaf crafts - simple ideas and activities for kids

Get creative with the kids this autumn. Make your own leaf animal pictures, leaf rubbings, leaf prints and superhero leaf masks.

Danielle Wesley  •  09 Oct 2020

Blog

13 hardy plants for your garden

Our pick of hardy plants and trees perfect for any outdoor space. From pretty annual flowers to hard-working, long-lasting evergreens, they're all hardy to at least -15C.

Charlie Mellor  •  07 Mar 2024

Blog

Top 10 woods to enjoy autumn colour

Take a look at our top 10 woods to visit for autumn colour, with sites in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. 

Hannah Vickers  •  10 Nov 2021

Trees woods and wildlife

Otter

An elusive carnivore well-suited to land and water. With sweet-smelling spraint and a playful nature, otters are making a comeback. Find out what they eat, where they live and how to spot them.

Visiting woods

Carwch eich coedwigoedd

Mae ein coedwigoedd y gartref i blanhigion ac anifeiliaid anhygoel ac maen nhw i gyd am ddim i bobl eu mwynhau’n gyfrifol. Dangoswch ofal iddynt i’w helpu i ffynnu a’u cadw’n ddiogel ar gyfer yfory.

Blog

10 ways to help wildlife in winter

Wildlife will appreciate a helping hand in winter. From practical outdoor activities to the comfort of your armchair, check out our ten top tips to make a difference this season.

Charlie Mellor  •  07 Dec 2023

Blog

Eco-friendly travel: 10 woods to visit by train

Head off on an eco-friendly woodland adventure that starts with a romantic rail journey.

Kayleigh Jacobs-Rutter  •  02 Apr 2024

Blog

11 must-know facts about woods and forests in the UK

Woods and forests are mysterious, beautiful and fascinating places. Here are 11 amazing must-know facts about our woods and forests in the UK.

Chris Britt-Searle  •  02 May 2024

Press centre

Woodland Trust report: £1 billion to save England’s 'forgotten woods and wildlife'

The Woodland Trust has produced and costed a £1 billion five-year plan to rescue nature in England’s threatened ancient woods.

Visiting woods

Glas-na-Bradan Wood

The important landscape of Glas-na-Bradan Wood is home to lots of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. 

Blog

How to make a holly wreath

Read our tips and step by step guide for how to make your own festive wreath from holly and other natural foraged materials.

Kate Lewthwaite  •  24 Nov 2020

Trees woods and wildlife

Walnut, black

A handsome healer, the black walnut is both ornamental and medicinally valuable. It’s a favourite with squirrels, and its timber is extra pricey.

Blog

10 best winter woodland walks

Embrace the simpler things in life with a winter woodland walk, when spectacular frosty landscapes and leafless trees reveal hidden history and elusive wildlife. Check out 10 of our favourite woods for inspiration.

Charlie Mellor  •  16 Nov 2023

About us

TreE PlaNat Project

The TreE PlaNat project explored land managers' views on different woodland creation methods, from planting to natural colonisation, and their impacts. 

Press centre

Wildlife declining in UK woods despite more tree cover, major new report reveals 

The State of the UK’s Woods and Trees 2025 report has revealed that the quantity and variety of woodland wildlife is plummeting, despite a marginal rise in tree cover.

Protecting trees and woods

Priorities for local councils in Northern Ireland

Ask candidates in Northern Ireland to support trees and woods where you live using our list of priorities.

Press centre

High Alert installation takes public art into the woods

The Woodland Trust Northern Ireland is hosting a public art exhibition by Rob Hilken at three of its sites in August and September.

Blog

13 Halloween nature crafts and activities for kids

Get set for spooky season with leaf ghosts, conker pumpkins, twig wands and a thrilling Halloween scavenger hunt!

Danielle Wesley  •  04 Oct 2023