Ernest Cook Trust Explained

The Ernest Cook Trust is a large educational charity in England. It was founded in 1952 by the philanthropist Ernest Cook, the grandson of travel pioneer Thomas Cook. Each year the Trustees distribute more than £1.25m in educational grants to benefit children and young people, notably to schools for improving their outdoor education and play areas.^[1]

About

Rooted in the conservation and management of the countryside, the Trust also actively encourages children and young people to learn from the land through hands-on educational opportunities on its estates and by offering grants.^[2]

Estates

The Trust currently owns and manages 22000acres of landed estates across five counties in southern England.

The trust owns 21500acres of land and is responsible for the following estates:

• The Fairford Park Estate
• The Barnsley Village Estate
• The Little Dalby Estate
• The Hartwell Estate
• The Slimbridge Estate
• The Trent Estate
• The Filkins Estate
• The Hatherop Estate

The Trust was also instrumental in the development of the Fairford Leys housing estate on land it owned in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.

Further reading

• Collins, E. J. T. and Giles, A. K. (1989). Innovation and Conservation: Ernest Edward Cook and his Country Estates. University of Reading. .

External links

• Ernest Cook Trust website

Notes and References

1. Web site: School Playground Funding Guide.
2. http://ernestcooktrust.org.uk/ Ernest Cook Trust website: homepage