We started a rewilding journey over 28 years ago. The land is now a vibrant mixture of valuable habitats, rich with diversity. This transformation tells a story of nature’s resilience and the power of humans connecting with nature.
To experience the natural surroundings of the valley we are offering our cottage guests and visitors several nature-connection events, listed below.
Please contact Ruth on [email protected] if you would like to join any of our events or sign up for our 2027 Autumn and Winter volunteering projects.
Read our latest blog to discover the benefits of nature connection and how you can make a start.
Family Nature Walks at Dittiscombe
These family friendly events are open to visitors and cottage guests. Led by enthusiastic ecologist Ken Neal and Dittiscombe Rewilding project curator Ruth Saunders, they’ll take you on a two hour exploration through the rewilded valley of Dittiscombe.
Be ready to use sweep nets in the grassy meadows, peer into hedgerows and banks, walk through the woodland and beside the streams and ponds to ID the wildlife we find using bug pots and lenses. We’ll talk about how we can all connect with nature and help encourage more biodiversity into our own green spaces at home. It’s fun and lighthearted, all questions are good questions, and we always learn something new.
Look out for dates for 2027!
Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku) with Donna McCheyne
Our beautiful woodland has hosted many Forest Bathing sessions under the expert guidance of Donna McCheyne of Simply Soulful Yoga.
For 2027 we are offering bespoke Forest Bathing sessions of up to 3 hours in Dittiscombe woods with Donna and with Dittiscombe rewilder Ruth Saunders. This immersive experience will help you reconnect with nature and nourish your mind, body and soul.
If you would like to know more contact Ruth on 07821 260787 or Donna on 07941 508004.
Curated events on Small-Scale Rewilding
These events can be curated to suit groups or businesses who would like to learn more about rewilding on a small scale and how nature connection can broaden our minds and make us more creative!
Ruth will take you on a guided tour around the valley to see how the landscape at Dittiscombe has changed over the last 27 years, and how the wildlife has benefitted from the hands-off approach.
The land was farmed at one time but was gifted back to nature by Ruth & Jon in 1998. It now supports a mosaic of habitats for wildlife. The valley has evolved into a new-look landscape through natural processes, and you’ll be able to see that being a bit messy is good for wildlife!
If you are a business and wish to book a team event at Dittiscombe to include a rewilding tour with Ruth Saunders and/or practical habitat creation with Ken Neal, please contact Ruth at [email protected] or 07821 260787.
You can find out more about rewilding at Dittiscombe on our Nature Page.
Join our Volunteer Task Force for Autumn and Winter 2026/27
We are now looking for volunteers to help us create diverse habitats for wildlife.
The work can involved hazel coppicing, hedge-laying, brash weaving and dead hedge making, pond work, creating hibernaculums, beetle stacks, pond perches and leaky dams.
You don’t have to be an expert and we’ll show you how to do things using some basic tools. Just bring your enthusiasm! Led by expert ecologist Ken Neal who will explain how to create these habitats and why we are doing it.
If you enjoy chatting about nature out in the fresh air and would like to take part please get in touch with Ruth on [email protected] to register your interest.
We have to recommend the nature walks on Sunday mornings because it shows all the efforts, dedication and love Ruth and Jon have put into this very special project.
Just wanted to say thank you to Donna and Ruth for a lovely Sunday afternoon yesterday at Dittiscombe Estate. Julia, Sally and myself had a calming relaxing time experiencing Forest Bathing in the beautiful location of Ruth’s home which is so peaceful and full of nature in summertime.
Reflections on Dittiscombe “I immediately sensed an aliveness, a release, a relief that I have noticed in places truly let free, or that have been “let go”, as it were, for a long period of time. Places like this become, perhaps, our truest pockets of wilder-ness we have in the UK. Because they have us in there too, unravelling and getting stuck-in, but with no agenda, no fixed outcomes and an offering to others to witness and release and explore too.”
Donna and Ruth were the perfect hosts, from the start of our forest bathing spring afternoon through to the end they made us feel welcome and immersed in nature. A magical afternoon taking time to sit or lay and observe nature and the wonderful feelings or visions it has to offer. Highly recommend this experience a grounding and relaxing time spent in our wonderful countryside.
