About the Project

The Woodland Trust worked with the Society for Nautical Research to mark the bicentenary of the Battle of Trafalgar. The Trafalgar Woods project formed part of the Trafalgar Festival, endorsed by the Official Nelson Commemoration Committee and Sea Britain 2005.

Together wth our partners we planted a new wood for each of the 27 ships of the line in the fleet (plus a wood for at least 6 of the support vessels) at the Battle of Trafalgar.

School children took part in our programme of education and planting, designed both to inform and to inspire. In addition to the creation of the Trafalgar Woods across the UK, we offered free trees and shrubs to schools, enabling them to commemorate the Battle themsleves and to improve their own school grounds.

Trees and timber played a crucial part in our maritime past. By planting trees in our new Trafalgar Woods with today's children, we help to bring history to life, forge a link with the events of the past through practical action and breathe new life into our landscape.

Planting events will took place in the autumn and winter, particularly around the 21st October which is the anniversary of the Battle of Trafalgar and we aim to plant over 250,000 trees.