One of the UK’s most spectacular islands is being bought by the conservation charity, The Wildlife Trusts, who have cared for it for more than 50 years. 

Skokholm Island, off the Pembrokeshire coast, is being sold to The Wildlife Trusts by the Dale Castle Estate, which has owned it for more than three centuries. 

Skokholm was made famous by the naturalist Ronald Lockley, who arrived in 1927 to take up a 21-year lease. He later set up Britain’s first bird observatory on the island. Lockley’s research on the island’s rabbit population formed the basis for Richard Adams’ novel Watership Down. 

The owners want the 247-acre wildlife haven to continue to be looked after by The Wildlife Trusts, which also manage neighbouring Skomer Island. Skokholm is internationally recognised for its importance to wildlife, designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and as a European Natura 2000 site. 

Along with the neighbouring islands of Skomer and Grassholm, it forms one of the most important seabird breeding sites in Europe, supporting 45,000 pairs of Manx shearwaters, as well as puffins, storm petrels, razorbills, guillemots, oystercatchers and three gull species amongst others.

The island was owned by the Earl of Pembroke in medieval times, but has been owned by the Dale Castle Estate since 1646, when it was bought for £300 by barrister William Phillips of Haythog.

The decision to sell to The Wildlife Trusts was taken following the death of Mrs Lloyd Philipps of Dale Castle earlier this year. Norman Tyler, one of the trustees of the estate, said the estate had given The Wildlife Trusts first refusal due to their long association with the island.

“We were absolutely thrilled when we were offered the chance to buy Skokhom,” said Dr Madeleine Havard, chief executive of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

“It is a really magical place and the Trust has worked very hard over the years to protect and improve the habitat for the important wildlife it supports.

“Of course, as we are a charity, we will need to raise money to fund the purchase, and to help pay for the future care of the island. So we are asking anyone who really cares about nature and this very special part of Wales to send us a donation. It doesn’t matter how small the donation is, because every little helps.” 

Please send donations to: Skokholm Appeal, WTSWW, The Nature Centre, Fountain Road, Tondu, Bridgend, CF32 0EH.

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