Congratulations to the Wainwright Prize winners 2025

The Wainwright Prizes are the UK’s foremost awards celebrating nature, conservation, and environmental writing. Now in its 12th year, the prize was created in famous fell-walker Alfred Wainwright’s name to showcase nature writing in the UK and to celebrate and encourage exploration of the outdoors.    

This year’s Wainwright Prize Book of the Year went to Chloe Dalton for Raising Hare. The book follows Chloe’s journey as she discovers a fragile, newborn hare alone in the wild and becomes its unlikely guardian. Raising Hare follows their extraordinary bond, reminding us that the most profound connections with nature often emerge when we least expect them. 

The Children's Wainwright Prize Book of the Year was named Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield and illustrated by Hoang Giang. In this beautiful book, Jeremiah plants a packet of sunflower seeds which magically grow up through the floors of their tower block home. The book is a glorious celebration of the power of nature to bring communities together, and an important reminder that nature is for everyone.

This year’s prize features six categories, including for the first time an award for illustrative books. There are three categories for adult books and three for children’s.  

The Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 
Raising Hare, Chloe Dalton 

 
The Wainwright Prize for Conservation Writing 
The Lie of the Land, Guy Shrubsole 

 
The Wainwright Prize for Illustrative Books 
Feed the Planet, George Steinmetz 

 
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Fiction 
Wildlands, Brogen Murphy 

 
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Non-Fiction 
Secrets of Bees, Ben Hoare, Illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti 

 
The Children’s Wainwright Prize for Picture Books 
Flower Block, Lanisha Butterfield, Illustrated by Hoang Giang 

As partners with the Wainwright Prize, we recognise the role that books can play in connecting us to nature and this year’s winners certainly do that.

RSPB Director of Communications Alex Try said: "This year’s winning books are full of urgency, hope and joy. We’re delighted to partner again with the Wainwright Prize and play our part in helping the authors and their incredible books reach even more people. Many congratulations to all the shortlisted authors." 

Announcing the winners Alastair Giles, The Wainwright Prize Director, said: "Warmest congratulations to all our longlisted, shortlisted, and winning authors and illustrators. This year’s entries demonstrate just how vital and vibrant nature writing has become — not only as a form of creative expression, but as a force for change.

"As environmental and social challenges grow ever more urgent, it's inspiring to see writers of all ages and backgrounds using their voices to deepen our connection with the natural world. The Wainwright Prize continues to champion those who remind us that storytelling can be a powerful step towards awareness, action, and ultimately, hope.”