The Cotswold Canals Trust
Analysis
The Cotswold Canals Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Stroud. It was registered in July 1975, 51 years ago. Its declared purposes cover environment/conservation/heritage, economic/community development/employment and recreation, which this site groups under environment and conservation. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01207787). It says it provides human resources and provides advocacy/advice/information.
In the financial year ending March 2025, The Cotswold Canals Trust reported income of £609k and spending of £485k, leaving 20% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from March 2021 to March 2025, income fell from £710k to £609k (-14%), an average of -3.8% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to March 2022, when income rose by 69%. Over the whole period it spent 128% of the income it received.
Among 4,574 England and Wales charities whose main cause is environment and conservation and that reported income, The Cotswold Canals Trust sits at the 91st percentile: it is larger than about 91% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 91st percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include The Wallacea Trust (£604k), Wheal Martyn Trust Ltd (£613k) and Willoughbridge Garden Trust (£602k).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from donations and legacies 52%, charitable activities 15% and investments 11%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £184k. Charitable activities took 95% of spending and raising funds 3.7%. Grants to other organisations totalled £36k. Reserves of £146k would cover about 4 months of spending at that rate. It employed 6 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 22%
- Legacies 30%
- Charitable activities 15%
- Investments 11%
- Other 21%
In the charity's own words
1. To promote for the benefit of the community the reopening of the Cotswold Canals.2. To promote the restoration of the two waterways to give a balance between the needs of navigation, development, recreation, heritage, landscape conservation, wildlife and natural habitats.3. To promote the use of all the towpath as the Thames and Severn Way.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| The Wallacea Trust | Lincoln | £604k |
| Wheal Martyn Trust Ltd | Cornwall | £613k |
| Willoughbridge Garden Trust | Market Drayton | £602k |
| Midland Railway Trust Limited | Derbyshire | £615k |