Major cash boost to Crewe Heritage Trust as it restores nature to historic site

Crewe Heritage Trust welcomed representatives from The Julia Rausing Trust following an award of £22,500 to deliver an ambitious new project focused on restoring green space, enhancing biodiversity, and reconnecting people with nature at its historic railway heritage site in Crewe.

Before the arrival of the railway in 1837, the land now occupied by Crewe Heritage Centre was open fields. This project will look back to that earlier landscape, transforming parts of the site into greener, more wildlife-friendly spaces while supporting learning, volunteering, and wellbeing for the local community.

Gordon Heddon, Chair of Crewe Heritage Trust, said: “This generous grant from The Julia Rausing Trust allows us to reconnect our site with its pre-Industrial Revolution landscape.

“By restoring green space, creating new wildlife habitats and involving volunteers, children and families, we’re ensuring our heritage site is not only a place to learn about the past, but a living, breathing space that supports nature, wellbeing and community pride. We’re incredibly grateful for this support.”

Central to the project is the creation of a new green corridor alongside the Trust’s miniature railway. This corridor will be divided into three distinct zones. Wildflower Way will be full of native and pollinator friendly planting. Lavender Lane will offer colour, scent, and nectar sources while Butterfly Bank is designed to support butterflies and other insects.

The project will also deliver five new wildlife habitats, including bug hotels, bird boxes and a mini pond, creating shelter and feeding opportunities for insects, birds, and amphibians.

An existing locomotive workshop will be enhanced as part of the programme to create a greener, more sustainable space. Improvements will include the addition of water butts for rain collection and a new green roof. These changes demonstrate how the Trust is looking to adapt railway buildings to support modern environmental goals.

The Trust will also create six raised pocket gardens across the site which will include herbs, pollinator friendly flowers and edible crops.

The pocket gardens will tell different stories from Crewe’s past including the importance of allotments to the town and Crewe’s pharmaceutical heritage through a medicinal garden.

A new station garden will also be created at the miniature railway using pots, planters, and baskets, bringing greenery to a highly visible area enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

The Trust is planning a supporting programme of drop-in activities for all visitors to take part in when the Centre re-opens on 1 April.

Recruitment is also underway for Green Space Volunteers. The volunteers will help build and maintain the new environments.

To find out more visit crewehc.co.uk/volunteer