Broughton Sanctuary: Restoring our belonging to the land

One of the many wonders of rewilding is the speed at which Nature recovers when we give it space and time. We can often hear “where did they all return from?”, as rewilders and supporters stand in a state of awe when witnessing an increase in the number of species.

Our new Alliance Partner, Broughton Sanctuary, is a story of just that wonder. Over 1,030 hectares of former high-intensity sheep pasture are being transformed into a living landscape. Kneel down amongst the long grass and see the wriggly activity of insects of all sorts, then stand and look up to see the birds that have followed. A few more moments spent here, and you will feel that you belong.

Breathing Life into the Land

The Nature Recovery Programme at Broughton started in 2021 and aims to shift away from heavily grazed pasture toward a much richer tapestry of habitats: ancient woodland, meadows, wetlands, grasslands and more.

One remarkable milestone came in 2021 as the team got their hands into the ground. Since then 340,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted across about 160 hectares, including 15 indigenous species like Ash, Hawthorn, and Sycamore.

Meanwhile, parts of the land are being left to regenerate naturally with scrub, grasslands, and woodland taking root again without heavy intervention. Sensitive woodland management and wetland habitat restoration are helping revitalize soils, water systems, and biodiversity.

Welcoming Natural Processes

Broughton is introducing natural flood management through works like gully blocking, woody debris dams and creating scrapes and ponds. These act as gentle tools to restore water-flow, reduce erosion, improve water quality and offer habitat for amphibians and aquatic life.

One of their most successful allies in this process arrived in March 2025: Beavers. To ease into their new environment, the Beavers are held in an enclosure – an open space that gently welcomes them into their new home. In that space alone and over just a few months, the team has seen an increase in the presence of amphibians, bird species and the first Dragonfly!

Additionally, through the drought experienced this summer, that area remained much wetter than the rest of the land.

The addition of the Beavers has had the team also exploring bringing in “missing species” – animals like cattle, rare breed pigs and ponies – to do what they do best: disturb soil, graze select areas, open the canopy, and help seed new growth. In short, re-introducing disturbance where needed to allow ecosystems to self-organise.

Connecting People & Place

One of the things that makes Broughton Sanctuary special is how nature recovery is delivered hand-in-hand with people’s well-being.

The history behind their rewilding adventure actually comes from understanding how to offer a truly healing experience for people. Free community events such as guided walks, bird-watching, wild swimming and forest bathing, give locals and visitors a way in. These experiences offer something deeper: they help people reconnect with “outer nature” and “inner nature,” rekindling wonder, curiosity, and belonging.

Responsible tourism is also part of the equation. Guests can take part in tree planting, wildlife monitoring, habitat work and experience nature-led stays. The Sanctuary blends regenerative agriculture with rewilding, offering food production that supports biodiversity.

A Hopeful Future

The transformation underway at Broughton Sanctuary contributes to bigger goals: improving biodiversity; boosting carbon capture; reducing flood risk downstream; cleaning water; healthier soils; and offering spaces of calm and reconnection for people.

In a landscape where much has been simplified by years of intensive farming, rewilding is a way to restore complexity and resilience. It’s a chance for nature to perform its ancient orchestration of cycles and for us to return also to where we belong: regeneration, succession, interdependence.