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About Us

Our Story

The North Pennines Moorland Group was created by gamekeepers living and working on the moors across the Pennines. They are collectively responsible for the management of over 50,000 acres of heather moorland, a habitat that is said to be rarer than rainforests.

Gamekeepers working on these estates are hoping to reach out to members of the public with an interest in their countryside and who would like to learn more about, and connect with, moorland management. 

Our Objectives

To educate the public about management of the uplands and its flora and fauna.

To proactively contribute to the local community through various charitable activities, educational programmes and provide assistance when needed. 

To create a bio-diverse habitat that, in turn, supports multiple red and amber listed species such as curlew, lapwing, golden plover, grouse and many more ground nesting birds.

Facts & Figures

£1.3 million pounds is the total contributed to the local economy for seasonal staff salaries by the North Pennines Moorland Group Estates alone.

50,000 acres of heather moorland is managed by North Pennines Moorland keepers alone.

£100 million pounds is the estimated annual value of grouse shooting in England, Wales & Scotland.

79% of the North Pennines and North York moors Special Protection Areas are managed for grouse which has huge benefits for many species.

90% of English grouse moors fall within a National Park or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

70% of the UK’s drinking water comes from the uplands.

40% of ground nesting birds are lost to predators. Predator control contributes to reversing the declines seen in farmland and uplands birds.

97% of people involved in the shooting community said it contributed to their general well-being. 

75% of the world’s heather moorland is found in Britain because of moorland management. It is rarer than rainforest.