In July 2023 Eurasian beavers stepped back onto Northumbrian land for the first time in centuries, following a pioneering enclosed reintroduction on the National Trust Wallington estate.
We are delighted to partner with the National Trust to offer a brand-new Beaver Enclosure Safari for 2024, to share the incredible architecture and engineering developed by this beaver family.
Wild Intrigue guides will share knowledge and experience as beaver ecologists while you explore this dynamic wetland habitat, offering you a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the ecology and intrigue of beavers in this beautiful corner of Northumberland.
You will see and learn about a range of beaver activities such as sculpture-like gnawed tree stumps, fresh coppice shoots, masterfully dug channels and the beavers’ famous dams. Beaver features such as these are complex and ever-changing, making beaver wetlands one of the most exciting habitats to explore. With more water held back, freshwater life such as dragonflies, waterfowl and amphibians thrive – alongside many unexpected surprises, such as butterflies feeding on sugar-rich sap on gnawed trees.
Beavers are nocturnal mammals, so viewing the animals themselves is highly unlikely on Beaver Enclosure Safaris, however the magic of this species lies in their incredible ecosystem engineering. There may be separate Wild Intrigue Beaver Watching Experiences launching, however we are currently assessing the site to ensure these will not cause disturbance to the family, and provide reliable viewing opportunities.
This dynamism makes our Beaver Enclosure Safaris at NT Wallington one of the most exciting wildlife experiences in the Wild Intrigue collection, to witness the impacts this Keystone Species can have on other plants, animals and even the behaviour of water.
Beavers continuously upgrade their wetland habitats, and respond quickly to changes in waterflow, food availability and family relationships. This means that each Beaver Enclosure Safari will be truly unique, and itineraries will be flexible to accommodate busy beaver activities, as well as the array of other wildlife in the area.
Wild Intrigue has led community engagement for a number of beaver restoration projects in northern England and Scotland, and has shared intrigue and knowledge of beavers through guided beaver experiences, talks and events. We are delighted to now have the opportunity to share insights from our experience in Britain and Europe in our home county of Northumberland, in partnership with National Trust Wallington.
For more information please visit the main Mini-Exped page.
The reintroduction of beavers at Wallington forms a vital part of the National Trust’s ambition for Wilder Wallington, to restore native species and natural ecosystem functions across the vast 5321 ha estate.