National Trust Dunwich Heath

29/10/2026

Back in August, when this photograph was taken, Lindy O'Hare, owner of Thorington Theatre, hosted illustrator and author Charlie Mackesy for an afternoon and evening of drawings and stories to raise money for Dunwich Heath and RSPB Minsmere, after this summer's devastating wildfire.

Charlie was joined by Russell Clement, General Manager for the National Trust's Suffolk & Essex Coast portfolio, and Adam Rowlands, Area Manager for the RSPB in Suffolk.

The performances raised over £42,000, which has been split equally between the two conservation charities and will be used to help their recovery.

Thank-you to everyone who attended and donated and for your continued support. We really have seen the best of people over the past few months. We're so, so grateful. 💜

📸: Justin Minns/National Trust Images

28/10/2026

A week after the fire at Dunwich Heath, we started a petition calling for urgent action to protect communities, landscapes and wildlife from the growing impacts of climate change.

Nearly 150,000 people signed this petition in just 12 weeks, and on Monday we handed it into No 10, alongside MPs, Fire Brigade Union and 38 Degrees.

Thank you to everyone who signed our wildfire petition - and if you haven't yet, there is still time to add your name: https://rebrand.ly/WildfirePetition

On Friday, the Prime Minister announced new measures aimed at curbing fires.

These included a £25m fund to rewet dried-up peatlands, better equipment and PPE for fire crews, and support for farmers to create ponds as firebreaks. These new measures to prevent wildfires and boost climate resilience are welcome, however long-term plans are still needed and your voice is helping to raise awareness to help make that happen.

📸: Nigel Howard Media

23/10/2026

In the coming days, we'll be hand delivering our petition to No 10, which calls on Government to take stronger action on wildfire prevention and climate resilience.

We launched the petition back in August following the events of the devastating wildfire at Dunwich Heath, one of more than 200 wildfires recorded across the UK in just two weeks.

We’ve seen over 140,000 signatures so far, but you can help us get to 150,000 and take an even stronger message to No. 10.

As a reminder, the petition calls for:
💚 Climate resilience to become a national priority, with clear leadership across Government and long-term investment.
💚 Greater investment in nature, including peatlands, wetlands, rivers, woodlands and heathlands, recognising the vital role they play in helping communities adapt to climate change and supporting wildlife.
💚 Improved support for Fire and Rescue Services, including funding, specialist equipment, training and public awareness campaigns to help prevent and respond to wildfires and other climate-related incidents.

You can sign the petition here: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/tell-the-government-protect-nature-for-the-future, and if you’ve already signed it, please do share it with your family and friends. Nature needs us now more than ever. 💚

📸: Justin Minns/National Trust Images, taken with permission and under strict guidance and supervision.

16/10/2026

The latest episode of Get Birding with Sean Bean is out now, featuring Matt, our Countryside Manager talking about this summer's wildfire and some of Dunwich's key species, such as the Dartford warbler.

Listen to Matt from 15.08.

Episode 20: Autumn Migration & Conservation with Ben Watt🦉 Subscri...

15/10/2026

Despite recent rainfall and cooler temperatures, the ground at Dunwich Heath is still very hot.

While on site yesterday, Matt, our countryside manager, recorded temperatures of over 53 degrees in some areas using a thermal imaging device.

During the fire, earth-moving machinery was used to help crews tackle the flames, but the speed and scale needed at the time has meant vegetation such as gorse, heather and parts of trees have been churned into the banked soil and sand. In some places, this has created a charcoal kiln effect, which continue to retain heat even now.

As these images show, what look like 'normal' ground conditions can easily disguise much higher temperatures underneath and are just one of the ongoing challenges in making the site safe.

📸: National Trust Images

10/10/2026

Many areas of Dunwich Heath still remain inaccessible as we wait for further tests to be carried out, but where some of the team have been able to go, they’ve seen fungi beginning to emerge.

This autumn, the emergence of these weird and wonderful organisms, like this parasol, might tell us even more about the impact of this summer's wildfire.

Some underground networks of fungal threads, known as mycelium, may have survived where the burn was less severe, while deeper or hotter burning could have caused significant damage.

We may also see different fungi appearing as they begin breaking down burnt and damaged vegetation, helping nutrients return to the soil as the heath begins its long recovery.

📸: Matt Wilson/National Trust Images

02/10/2026

Over the past few weeks, when safe to do so, our ranger team has been on site at Dunwich Heath supporting with a range of safety and monitoring tasks.

Many areas still remain inaccessible after the fire as we wait for further safety assessments and surveys to be carried out, including for unexploded ordnance.

But where we have been able to go, we’ve seen signs of life. 💚

This common lizard was spotted near Docwra’s Ditch, an area less impacted by the fire. Common lizards are the UK’s most common and widespread reptile and over the years, they have been regularly spotted at Dunwich Heath.

What makes them uncommon, however, is that they’re viviparous, which means that rather than laying eggs, they give birth to live young.

While it's still too early to know the full impact of this summer's wildfire, we'll continue to share updates as and when we can. 💚 Thank-you for bearing with us.

📸: Rebecca Shaw/National Trust Images

30/09/2026

We’ve recently heard about another incredible fundraiser to support the recovery of Dunwich Heath. 💜

Over the summer, Lisa walked the 61.1 miles from her house in Colchester to RSPB Minsmere to raise money for the recovery fund.

“For four of the legs I was accompanied by my 12-year-old son, Harrison, who walked over 33 miles in total,” she says. “It was a really interesting, worthwhile and purposeful activity for us to get involved with.

“The last leg took over four hours and we were overwhelmed when we arrived at the Minsmere visitor centre and so many volunteers congratulated us!”

Lisa and Harrison’s walk - which is over two marathons worth of miles - has raised £1153 and we couldn’t be more grateful. Thank-you to both Lisa and Harrison for all your steps, and to everyone who sponsored their walk.

📸: Lisa Gibbs

28/09/2026

The fundraising continues. 💜 Today we want to say a huge thank-you to Anj Medhurst, who runs Meadow Yarn, a small, family-run yarn business in the heart of rural Suffolk.

Since the fire, Anj has been dyeing small batches of wool inspired by the colours of Dunwich Heath and donating 25% from the sales of each skein to the recovery fund.

“This shade was dyed from memory,” she says. “The memory of an evening walk through the heather and gorse in the 'golden hour'. The landscape lit by the softest, warmest light imaginable. Magical.

“We've walked across Dunwich Heath in sunshine, rain, fog, snow. With the sun on our backs and with teeth chattering. With children in tow, following nature trails and spotting deer, lizards, and the occasional adder, or just the two of us and the dog early on a Sunday morning while teenagers sleep.

“We've visited less since we moved further away last year but it's a truly special place in our lives and its destruction feels almost unbelievable. We know it will recover eventually but the loss will be felt by wildlife and humans for many years.”

Anj says it’s been heartening to see so many people purchase her wool, and she’s raised over £1,000 so far.

You can find out more at meadowyarn.co.uk.

📸: Anj Medhurst/Meadowyarn

25/09/2026

Thank-you to everyone who has signed the National Trust petition calling on Government to take action on climate resilience.

We’ve now had over 100,000 signatures, which is such a powerful reflection of feeling around the increasing impact of climate-related events and the importance of protecting nature and the environment.

As a reminder, the petition calls for:
💚 Climate resilience to become a national priority, with clear leadership across Government and long-term investment.
💚 Greater investment in nature, including peatlands, wetlands, rivers, woodlands and heathlands, recognising the vital role they play in helping communities adapt to climate change and supporting wildlife.
💚 Improved support for Fire and Rescue Services, including funding, specialist equipment, training and public awareness campaigns to help prevent and respond to wildfires and other climate-related incidents.

We’ll be presenting the petition to Government in October and hope it will be a real turning point. Nature needs us now more than ever. 💚

📸: Justin Minns/National Trust Images, taken with permission and under strict guidance and supervision.