The National Trust owns 69 acres of farmland east of Rufford Old Hall on what was Manor House Farm. The land is between the Leeds/Liverpool canal and the River Douglas. This was acquired in 2000 to protect the views and settings of the Hall. Past surveys showed a significant amount of peat across the site that was dried out. Peat is vital to the environment and re-wetting the land will not only restore the peat, but also help filter pollution, improve wild habitats, prevent flooding and store carbon.The aim in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust, is to transform the area into a dynamic wet grassland habitat, home for an abundance of wildlife.

On 14th May Justin Matthews, Area Ranger, took a group of National Trust staff and Volunteers on a walk around the Manor House Farm site to show the improvements that have been made. Work had been ongoing during Spring 2025 where a variety of techniques were used in order to rewet the area. Existing ditches were re-profiled in strategic places to encourage the water to spill out onto the fields. Weirs were installed to reduce water flow and loss of water across the site. Several wet grassland species are due to be planted to boost biodiversity and also providing places for wildlife to breed, nest, feed and shelter.

The project is being funded by the Government’s Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme and Starling Bank. The National Trust’s partner across the project is Lancashire Wildlife Trust, who will work to help deliver the Restoration Project and share knowledge, information and research findings.

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