A springtime gift to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

The money was raised through a visitor giving scheme, whereby 30p from each castle entry ticket was donated to Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust.

Elizabeth, Lady Ashcombe, who owns and lives at Sudeley Castle & Gardens, said: “We are delighted to be able to make this donation and to demonstrate our commitment to, and appreciation of, native wildlife habitats and species. The countryside is so important to me and I feel blessed to live surrounded by so much beautiful countryside that I can share with visitors to Sudeley Castle.”

She added: “We have a fantastic relationship with Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and have collaborated on a number of hugely successful projects over the years and we look forward to continuing this partnership for many more years to come.”

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust aims to protect habitats and species both on its 60 nature reserves and throughout Gloucestershire, while inspiring more people about nature. Its aim is to secure a natural environment which the people of Gloucestershire and visitors to the area can enjoy for generations to come.

Ian Farthing, Head of Fundraising & Communications at Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, said: “We are extremely grateful for this kind donation and are very happy to be continuing our partnership with Sudeley Castle.

"Our UK wildlife continues to decline, with one species in 10 at risk of extinction in the country. Habitats are becoming more and more under threat and so the wonderful gardens and grounds at Sudeley Castle are increasingly important as they offer a valuable home to a wealth of wildlife.”

Set among the rolling countryside of the Cotswold Hills, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Sudeley Castle has 10 magnificent, award-winning gardens within its 1,200 acre estate. The grounds are a haven for a host of wildlife, from hedgehogs, birds, butterflies and bees, to frogs, toads, deer, rabbits and hares.

The Trust previously installed, and now helps to maintain, Sudeley Castle’s beautiful natural willow maze, which introduces the Wind in the Willows creatures to children. The Trust also helped develop a successful autumn wildlife trail for visitors to Sudeley Castle last year.

This year visitors can follow a new pebble trail throughout the gardens of Sudeley Castle, celebrating bees and butterflies and showing visitors how they can help bees at home. The trail is free with general castle admission.

This spring the castle is also holding two new ‘dawn chorus walks’ throughout the gardens, led by Castle gardener and resident twitcher, Will, who will take visitors on a guided walk around the beautiful grounds as a new day dawns. Visitors will learn to identify a host of native birds as they welcome in the spring.

Plan your visit to Sudeley Castle, and book admission tickets here.