Tyntesfield House has recently been opened to public tours

In January, the trust announced it would not be able to buy both Prior's Wood and Bourton Combe and open them to the public.

The bid collapsed after an application for nearly �1m in lottery funds was rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

But it said it was still hopeful donations would help it secure at least Bourton Combe.

This has proved impossible and the trust has now pulled out of its plans for the woodland.

Refunds available

Steve Grainger, chief executive of Avon Wildlife Trust, said: "After much effort and negotiation, it has proved impossible to put together a combination of funding and land ownership that works.

"To our great disappointment, the trust has now had to withdraw from any further efforts to safeguard these particular woodlands."

A total of �50,000 was donated to the venture, which will now be refunded.

The National Trust bought Tyntesfield House, near Wraxhall, North Somerset, in the summer and has recently opened it up to public tours. It did not purchase all the accompanying woodland.