Heart of England Forest
Analysis
Heart of England Forest is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Stratford-Upon-Avon. It was registered in April 2003, 23 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 04309564). It says it provides buildings/facilities/open space, provides advocacy/advice/information and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending March 2025, Heart of England Forest reported income of £7.6m and spending of £6.3m, spending 83% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income grew from £4.3m to £7.6m (+75%), an average of +15% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2023, when income rose by 35%. Over the whole period it spent 84% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, Heart of England Forest sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 98% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Vale of Rheidol Railway Limited (£7.6m), Suffolk Wildlife Trust (£7.7m) and Devon Wildlife Trust (£7.5m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 46%, investments 35%, charitable activities 13% and trading 6.5%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £2.7m. Charitable activities took 61% of spending and raising funds 10%. Reserves of £2.9m would cover about 5 months of spending at that rate. It employed 75 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 11%
- Legacies 35%
- Charitable activities 13%
- Trading 6.5%
- Investments 35%
In the charity's own words
To establish, maintain and preserve, ideally a contiguous forest or a forest connected by corridor for the benefit of the public in the ancient borders of the Forest of Arden to the Vale of Evesham (The Heart of England). To engage in the education of the general public and for research relating to the promulgation of trees, woodlands,and wildlife and their habitats in the Heart of England.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Vale of Rheidol Railway Limited | Dyfed | £7.6m |
| Suffolk Wildlife Trust | Suffolk | £7.7m |
| Devon Wildlife Trust | Devon | £7.5m |
| Iseal Alliance | E2 9da | £7.7m |