Restoring the River Bure: Our Partnership With The National Trust

Image 1 - The River Bure at Felbrigg Hall

We are excited to share a glimpse into the river restoration progress happening right on our Norfolk doorstep – and proud that Crane Garden Buildings is playing a part.

As part of our ongoing partnership with the National Trust, we’re supporting the restoration and conservation of the River Bure. Draining into the Norfolk Boards which form part of England’s protected wetland, the River Bure winds between two of Norfolk’s most iconic estates – Blickling Hall and Felbrigg Hall.

Image 2 - Felbrigg Hall

Visitors to our website may already recognise Blickling and Felbrigg as names from our National Trust collection, which includes eight thoughtfully designed garden buildings. The collection is inspired by historic National Trust outbuildings across East Anglia, and combines timeless design, modern craftsmanship, and traditional elements like sawn boards and natural colour palettes – reflecting the very landscapes they help support.

Restoring Our Riverlands

In a project that aims to improve the health of England’s river catchments, Norfolk’s River Bure has been identified as a key point of interest. As one of only 224 chalk-stream rivers worldwide, it represents a rare and precious ecosystem.

Image 3 - a woven willow structure has been added to support the banks of the river at Blickling Mill. This provides protection from further erosion and conserves the fish passage connection to the river.

How We’re Helping

Through our long-term collaboration with the National Trust, we have contributed over £500,000 to the charity, and now, every time a customer chooses one of our National Trust garden buildings, a portion of the proceeds goes directly toward their conservation and restoration efforts.

"This partnership represents more than just a donation – it’s a shared commitment to preserving Norfolk’s natural heritage for future generations.” - Peter Mortin, Business Development Manager, Crane Garden Buildings

A River on the Mend

Led by the National Trust, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and Norfolk Rivers Trust, the project has already seen great progress. Since the project’s initiation in 2019, the National Trust has: 

• Restored and created 70 wetlands and ponds
• Remove 70 tonnes of Himalayan balsam from the catchment
• Planted 20,000 trees
• Made significant improvements to land management and pollution diffusion

These interventions are already bringing the river back to life – for species like eels, aquatic plants, insects and birds – and for the people who enjoy the landscape too.

“Thanks to Crane Garden Buildings’ continued funding, we can take long-term steps to ensure this special landscape thrives.” - James Manners, Riverlands Project Manager, National Trust

Image 4 -Gravel cattle crossings installed across the main drain to reduce cattle poaching and input of silt into the water course

Looking Ahead

At Crane, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. From designing durable, timeless garden buildings to giving back to the landscapes that inspire us, we’re committed to making our work matter.

🔗 Learn more about the River Bure restoration project: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/restoring-the-river-bure-in-norfolk

🏡 Explore our National Trust collection: https://www.cranegardenbuildings.co.uk/national-trust