Marwell Wildlife

Analysis

Marwell Wildlife is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Winchester. It was registered in March 1978, 48 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training, animals and environment/conservation/heritage, which this site groups under animals. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 01355272). It says it makes grants to organisations, provides human resources and provides buildings/facilities/open space.

In the financial year ending December 2025, Marwell Wildlife reported income of £12.5m and spending of £14.0m, spending 112% of what it took in. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £11.0m to £12.5m (+13%), an average of +3.1% a year. Over the whole period it spent 104% of the income it received.

Among 2,161 England and Wales charities whose main cause is animals and that reported income, Marwell Wildlife sits at the 99th percentile: it is larger than about 99% 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 World Horse Welfare (£11.1m), Redwings Horse Sanctuary (£12.9m) and South West Environmental Parks Limited (£10.9m).

In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 54%, trading 34% and donations and legacies 11%. Gifts in wills alone brought in £225k. Charitable activities took 65% of spending and raising funds 35%. Reserves of £1.3m would cover about 1 months of spending at that rate. It employed 257 people.

Data notes from the register: Spending has exceeded income in each of the last three reported years, so the charity has been drawing on reserves or other funds.