A £6m deal has been struck that will almost double the size of Oxfordshire’s most visited open space.

The 700-acre Wittenham Clumps and Little Wittenham Wood, near Didcot, will benefit from a 500-acre expansion into neighbouring North Farm.

The land, owned by charity The Northmoor Trust, already attracts about 200,000 visitors a year and the move will create ponds, wild woodland and wildflower-rich meadows.

It is expected to attract bird species including the skylark, yellowhammer, corn bunting, tree sparrow, lapwing and grey partridge and brown hares. The trust says it wants to also “re-wild” two miles of the River Thames, removing man-made straight river banks for natural shapes, leading to more backwaters and back channels.

And it says new wetland areas will “prove irresistible” to otters, linnets, toads and slow`worms when it is completed within the next five years.

Trust chairman John Harwood said: “Every now and then there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something really bold, and buying North Farm was just that.

“I am absolutely thrilled that we have been able to make this happen.”

Trust chief executive Harry Barton said: “Tourists travel from far and wide to see the clumps.”

He said: “If there had been a bidding war on the open market the price could have gone a lot higher.

“The land we have acquired can now be used for the benefit of the people of Didcot and the surrounding area.”

He added: “Had we not bought North Farm, there would have been nothing to stop potential buyers from ploughing the whole thing up, but we’re going in the opposite direction.”

The cash came from £4m of anonymous donations, a £1m loan and £1m of the trust’s own cash. Yet it says it is always seeking more donations for the project.

The trust is also hoping to expand its headquarters at Hill Farm, Little Wittenham, to accommodate more school visits.

The plans will be on display at North Farm, Little Wittenham, from Friday and the trust is welcoming suggestions.

It comes after a trust bid to establish a nature reserve at Radley Lakes, near Abingdon, lost out on £50,000 from ITV show People’s Millions.

The show asked viewers to vote for which UK project should get Lottery cash.

The trust is also looking for more volunteers to add to its roster of 80 helpers.

Contact the trust on 01865 407792 or visit northmoortrust.co.uk