{"id":1246,"date":"2026-08-05T16:14:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:14:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/national-trust-expands-park-by-32-hectares\/"},"modified":"2026-08-05T16:14:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T16:14:33","slug":"national-trust-expands-park-by-32-hectares","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/national-trust-expands-park-by-32-hectares\/","title":{"rendered":"National Trust expands park by 32 hectares"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Former agricultural land has been transformed into new public park space for Plymouth, marking a significant expansion of the National Trust’s estate at Saltram. The 32 hectares (79 acres) of green space now open to visitors significantly increases the size of the trust’s land in the area and includes a brand-new 2.5km (1.5 mile) multi-use trail designed to be accessible for everyone.<\/p>\n

The trail, funded by Sport England through the National Lottery and the National Trust, is suitable for walkers, wheelers, and cyclists. Along the route, a series of rest stops have been installed, offering stunning panoramic views across Plymouth and linking seamlessly with Saltram’s existing path network, including the popular Dell area.<\/p>\n

Jez McDermott, General Manager at National Trust Saltram, described the opening as “a landmark moment” for both Plymouth and the estate. He emphasised the project’s broader vision: “This investment in access, wellbeing and nature means more people can enjoy everything Saltram has to offer. Whether you’re walking, wheeling, cycling, spending time with family or simply taking a moment to enjoy the views, we hope Saltram East becomes a place that people return to for generations to come.”<\/p>\n

A New Era for Saltram East<\/h2>\n

The newly opened area, referred to as Saltram East, represents a major step forward in the National Trust’s commitment to connecting people with nature and promoting outdoor activity. The transformation of what was once agricultural land into a vibrant, welcoming green space underscores the trust’s dedication to creating environments that benefit both the community and local wildlife.<\/p>\n

Investment in Nature and Wildlife<\/h3>\n

Beyond the new trail and rest stops, the National Trust has made significant investments to boost biodiversity across the site. New wildflower hay meadows have been planted throughout the area, creating vital habitats for a wide range of insects, birds, and small mammals. These meadows are designed to thrive naturally, providing a colourful and ecologically rich landscape that changes with the seasons.<\/p>\n

The trust has also announced ambitious plans to plant up to 12,000 trees in the coming winter as part of a new community forest. This large-scale planting initiative aims to enhance the area’s natural beauty, improve air quality, and create a lasting woodland legacy for future generations to enjoy.<\/p>\n

Connecting People with the Outdoors<\/h2>\n

The existing country park at Saltram already attracts around one million visits each year, and the trust expects the additional land to deliver significant health and wellbeing benefits for local residents. By providing more space for recreation and relaxation, the expansion supports the growing need for accessible green spaces in urban environments.<\/p>\n

Lisa Dodd-Mayne from Sport England highlighted the importance of such projects, stating: “Access to nature shouldn’t be a luxury. In a growing city like Plymouth, these new trails will make it easier for more people to build active travel into everyday life, get outdoors and enjoy the health and wellbeing benefits of green spaces close to home.”<\/p>\n

A Trail for Everyone<\/h3>\n

The new multi-use trail has been carefully designed to be inclusive, ensuring that people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist, a family with young children, or someone with mobility challenges, the trail offers a smooth, accessible route through some of the area’s most scenic countryside.<\/p>\n

Rest stops along the way provide perfect spots to pause, take in the views, and appreciate the natural surroundings. Benches and seating areas have been strategically placed to offer panoramic vistas across Plymouth, making the trail as much about relaxation as it is about exercise.<\/p>\n

Looking to the Future<\/h2>\n

The expansion at Saltram is part of a broader vision to create a more connected and resilient landscape that serves both people and wildlife. By linking new paths with existing routes, the trust is building a network of green corridors that encourage exploration and discovery.<\/p>\n

The planned community forest will further enhance this vision, providing a haven for wildlife and a tranquil retreat for visitors. As the trees mature over the coming decades, they will transform the landscape, creating a lasting legacy that reflects the trust’s commitment to conservation and community wellbeing.<\/p>\n

With the opening of Saltram East, the National Trust is not just adding land; it’s investing in the future of Plymouth, creating spaces that bring people together, support mental and physical health, and celebrate the natural world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Former agricultural land has been transformed into new public park space for Plymouth, marking a significant expansion of the National Trust’s estate at Saltram. The 32 hectares (79 acres) of green space now open to visitors significantly increases the size of the trust’s land in the area and includes a brand-new 2.5km (1.5 mile) multi-use…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1246","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1246","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1246"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1246\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1246"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1246"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/myhealtho.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1246"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}