A Helping Hand for Mother Nature

But not all is quite as it seems. It turns out, some of the area’s stunning vistas - and indeed, much of the UK – are not entirely the work of Mother Nature. Even she, like all of us, needs a little helping hand sometimes to look and feel her best.

Many of Britain’s loveliest landscapes and most charming corners are down in no small part to the efforts of rewilding. A word that may well evoke images of places simply left alone to grow wildly, it actually refers to many different methods and outcomes that enable a wild place to truly flourish. Rewilding is a passion and pursuit adopted by large swathes of the population and one available to and enjoyed by all, even those in busy urban areas.

Calcot & Spa has been leading the way in rewilding for an impressive 25 years, MD Richard Ball tells us:

“Gently and with guidance from experts over the last 25 years we’ve worked with the land and together with our green fingered team further developed the rewilding project and sustainability throughout the business – it is, of course work in progress but a journey we are undertaking with enthusiasm from our team at Calcot.”

Following the initial purchase of a neighboring strawberry field, work soon started to transform it into a wildflower meadow that guests still enjoy today. This, in turn, led to a wider project that has created a pleasing patchwork of grassland, woodland and fields – acres of wild spaces that surround the property that guests are welcome to explore and reconnect with the great outdoors.

Not only does a stroll or bike ride offer the exciting prospect of spotting rare and endangered birds but also the chance to become a vital part of the project yourself by reporting back on what species you’ve seen. For an even sweeter way to experience the rewilding efforts at Calcot, make a beeline for the two new hives recently introduced and taste the heavenly honey produced on the property. Helping bees is one of the simplest and most accessible ways to learn more about the rewilding movement thanks to bee-keeping experiences available in both city and countryside locations across the country. Better still, you can play your own small part at home.

And has the project had a positive impact on guests? Undoubtedly, says Ball:

“The interest and feedback from our guests has been wonderfully encouraging and has clearly enhanced the overall hotel experience for many – our little guests are particularly enjoying the more nature based activities using our Cotswold backyard of 220 acres!”