Getty Images Stourhead in Wiltshire. There are orange, green and yellow trees in the shot and a building overlooking water. — The National Trust said solar panels and four air-source heat pumps are set to be installed at Stourhead in Wiltshire

The National Trust has announced it has received a record-breaking donation of £10m which will help to fund its “vital” work.

It comes as the charity, based in Swindon, outlined its programme for 2026, which includes plans to continue to upgrade its infrastructure with solar panels and four air-source heat pumps at Stourhead in Wiltshire.

The donation from philanthropist Humphrey Battock is the biggest cash gift in the trust’s 131-year history and is unrestricted, allowing the charity to spend it freely.

“The National Trust represents what is best about our society, preserving our shared heritage for all the people,” he said.

Part of the money will be used to support the populations of white-tailed eagles, hazel dormice and beavers.

It follows its first licensed release of the semi-aquatic mammals in Purbeck, Dorset, last year.

The trust also plans to connect people with nature through film, by bringing live broadcasts of beavers, seals and puffins into towns and cities.

Wild beavers were released in Purbeck last year, more than 400 years after their extinction in Britain

PA Media A brown beaver standing near a green plant — Wild beavers were released in Purbeck last year, more than 400 years after their extinction in Britain

It also partnered with Disney and Pixar to mark the new film Hoppers, which focuses on beavers.

Play facilities are being opened at Tyntesfield in Somerset and Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire for children visiting the sites.

As part of the charity’s commitment to reach net zero by 2030, there are plans to install a reed-bed scheme to treat wastewater from visitor facilities at Clents Hill near Birmingham.

At its historical properties and outdoor sites, like The Vyne in Hampshire, Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire, Upton House in Warwickshire and Dyrham Park in South Gloucestershire, the charity said it will install additional seating areas.

More seating is set to be installed at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire

Getty Images Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire. The building is old and beige. There are trees and green fields around it. — More seating is set to be installed at Lacock Abbey in Wiltshire

People will also have chance to use the libraries in Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton, Powis Castle, Wales, Kingston Lacey, Dorset, and Upton House.

The charity also intends to take on operational management of Heartlands in Cornwall, subject to lease arrangements with the council.

Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said Battock’s unrestricted donation would give the charity a “huge boost” to carry out “vital” work.

“We will work with other charities, organisations and authorities to try and make sure access to nature, beauty and history is a right for everyone, not a privilege for a few,” she added.

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