Oakwood is an 8 acre holding in the Lower Wye Valley, on the edge of the Forest of Dean.  It is composed of 2 acres of unimproved, wild-flower rich grassland; a new orchard and woodland; areas of scrub, hedges and dead-hedges; and 4 acres of formerly improved and intensively farmed land, now lightly grazed by a small flock of rare breed sheep and planted with copses of native trees, selected for their contribution to the overall biodiversity of the plot. 

Since we came to Oakwood we have restored biodiversity to 4 acres of what was very intensively grazed grassland, by reducing grazing pressure, plus planting into the grassland to diversify the species, and creating wood pasture by planting groups of native trees into the pasture. We have restarted the traditional hay meadow management techniques on 2 acres of wildflower rich grassland, which we manage by cutting and hand raking up the hay. We have planted traditional orchards, native hedges and woodland.

Our management style is one of minimum intervention to create a mosaic habitat in support of nature.  Our hope is that even comparatively small areas of wilded land can make a difference. 

Our interest in wilding grew out of a life-long interest in wildlife on both our parts, coupled with the recognition that we are reaching a tipping point in terms of species loss and biodiversity collapse - something that we feel we've seen with our own eyes in the fifteen years we've been here. 

We've taken inspiration widely, from other wilding projects (Knepp figuring prominently), via the Miyawaki Method and Forest Gardening, to the We Are The Ark campaign.  Our next challenge is to introduce more water to the holding in the form of ephemeral ponds, to extend the habitat range further still.