Always on
This project successfully funded on 11th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
The Watchtower Project
Carlisle, Cumberland, United Kingdom
Aim
To protect, restore and develop - 8.2 acres of land and a WW2 Control Tower into an oasis for wildlife and a valued community asset.
Saving a Landmark.
Nurturing a Haven.
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Watchtree Has Officially Expanded!
We are thrilled to announce the purchase of an additional 8.2 acres of neighbouring land to the north of the reserve. A site which includes the Grade II listed World War II RAF Watch Office, to be known as the Watchtower for the purpose of this project.
The sale was completed on 20 January 2026, marking a major milestone in Watchtree’s history. This acquisition is especially significant as it represents the first piece of land the charity has ever owned. Our main 205‑acre site is leased from Defra, so owning this new parcel provides a level of permanence and opportunity we have never had before.
Watchtree trustees have been interested in purchasing this land and property for more than a decade. When the previous owners, the Newstead family, decided it was time to part with this historically rich location, we acted quickly to agree on a fair purchase and arrange funds.
The £150,000 purchase was made entirely from Watchtree’s own reserves, originally held as contingency funding for opportunities exactly like this one. To avoid delays and secure the site promptly, the Board of Trustees made the decision to purchase the land outright, with the intention to fundraise separately for any future development, restoration, or enhancement.
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Watchtree has funded the initial purchase of the Watchtower and surrounding land, but the next phase of this journey depends on our community. All future development — from surveys and planning, to restoration and habitat improvements — must now be funded through public support and charitable grant aid.
To help make this possible, we’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign with a target of £50,000. This total will carry us through the essential next steps: detailed assessments, community consultation, planning work, and, when the time comes, contributing to the delivery of the project itself.
Crowdfunding allows us to bring our supporters together and gives everyone the opportunity to play a part in shaping the future of this unique site. Every contribution — large or small — will be deeply appreciated, and we’ll ensure every pound is used with care and integrity.
Beyond raising funds, community backing is profoundly important. A strong base of public and corporate support provides clear evidence of local commitment — something highly valued by grant‑giving bodies when we apply for major funding later on.
Together, we can protect the past, enrich the present, and shape a thriving future for the Watchtower and its surrounding habitats.
Saving a Landmark
Originally constructed in 1942, the Watchtower stands alongside the former RAF Great Orton Airfield, now home to Watchtree Nature Reserve. Centrally positioned among the parishes of Aikton, Great Orton, Kirkbampton, and Burgh by Sands, it has overlooked the landscape for more than 80 years. A silent witness to the airfield’s wartime activity and its evolution over the decades.
Nurturing a Haven
While the Watchtower carries immense historical interest, the surrounding land is equally exciting for us as a nature reserve. The new fields offer both rich existing biodiversity and huge potential for restoration, particularly in their current low‑intervention state.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made