BY NICK PEARCE

Wild Haweswater is a partnership between the RSPB and United Utilities, in the beautiful eastern Lake District National Park.

On the website promoting the partnership, there is plenty of optimism for the two organisations’ plans:

‘Haweswater’s valleys and fells hold a rich collection of memories, past and present. It is a landscape long loved by residents and visitors alike. But what of its future? Over the course of centuries, Haweswater’s Naddle and Swindale Farms, like all farms in the Lake District, have adapted to the needs of society. Discover how we’re continuing in that proud tradition, where Haweswater’s landscape is not only beautiful, but also a place where nature and people thrive.’

This video promotes the partnership:

An expert who spends his time forensically examining accounts has discovered something interesting about the partnership:

‘This is my analysis of the RSPB’s Farming for Nature not for profit company that leases land from United Utilities (on the Haweswater Estate in Cumbria in 2012, the RSPB took over the tenancies of Naddle and Swindale farms),’ he writes.

He provides these numbers:

His conclusion:  

‘I have never seen a farm (at least any legal one*) make this sort of money or margin.’

Nice to see some farms not struggling in the UK in 2024.

Why the stunning success?

If you know why, please contact the magazine.

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_{*There is no implication here that the RSPB/United Utilities are doing anything illegal. It would be illuminating to know why and how these two farms are making so much cash. I received no answer when I asked them.}