Downlands Trust
Also known as: Friends of Downlands Project
We are a volunteer-run charity set up to support countryside conservation and management schemes across NE Surrey and adjoining urban fringe areas of South London. We do this principally via raising funds in order to provide grants to further our aims. These include enhancing the local landscape, maintaining biodiversity in rare habitats and promoting access to the countryside for everyone.
Activities & Mission
We are a volunteer-run charity set up to support countryside conservation and management schemes across NE Surrey and adjoining urban fringe areas of South London. We do this principally via raising funds in order to provide grants to further our aims. These include enhancing the local landscape, maintaining biodiversity in rare habitats and promoting access to the countryside for everyone.
Areas of Operation
Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.
Financial Information
Financial Efficiency
Higher than 2% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 520). How is this calculated?
Higher than 47% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?
Lower overhead than 40% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?
Latest Financial Breakdown
Income Sources
Expenditure Categories
Financial Trend
Annual Returns
As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2025.
One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.
| Financial Year | Income | Expenditure | Charitable Spending | Net Assets | Reserves | Staff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | £1,089,977 | £55,617 | £53,149 | £1,159,669 | £1,156,346 | 0 / 0 |
| 2024 | £53,816 | £55,730 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2023 | £50,725 | £33,835 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2022 | £58,055 | £42,842 | 0 / 0 | |||
| 2021 | £59,416 | £50,840 | 0 / 0 |
Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers
Frequently asked questions about Downlands Trust
What does Downlands Trust do?
We are a volunteer-run charity set up to support countryside conservation and management schemes across NE Surrey and adjoining urban fringe areas of South London. We do this principally via raising funds in order to provide grants to further our aims. These include enhancing the local landscape, maintaining biodiversity in rare habitats and promoting access to the countryside for everyone.
How much income did Downlands Trust report in 2025?
Downlands Trust reported total income of £1.09m and reported expenditure of £56k for the financial year ending 2025, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.
How efficient is Downlands Trust?
Downlands Trust has a program ratio of 4.9%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 2% of UK Charity and VCS support charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 520 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.
When was Downlands Trust registered as a charity?
Downlands Trust was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 3 November 2008 as charity number 1126535. It has been registered for 18 years.
Who runs Downlands Trust?
Downlands Trust is governed by a board of 7 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.
Where does Downlands Trust operate?
Downlands Trust operates across 3 areas: Croydon, Surrey and Sutton.
Is Downlands Trust a registered charity?
Yes — Downlands Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 1126535.
Details
SUTTON
Surrey
SM2 5JA
Registry Information
Is this your charity?
Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.
Claim this listing Learn more about premium profilesOther notable Charity and VCS support charities
Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.
Trustees
Also governs 1 other charity
Sectors & Classifications
Also Known As
- Friends of Downlands Project
Data & trust
- Register data refreshed
- 14 May 2026
- Methodology
- How metrics are calculated