I’ve really missed walking with you all regularly, sharing my knowledge of our local area, its history, and the natural world. It feels more important now than ever. It’s been nearly two years since I gave up my permit. During that time, I’ve adapted my business and found new ways to connect people with nature, but leading these walks is what truly feeds my soul—and, I know, many of yours too.

Today I walked through the fresh, vibrant forest, still glistening from yesterday's rain. The calls of crossbills filled the larch trees, where sticky green cones swayed on the branches. Foxgloves and catsears softened the edges between tree and path, interrupted only by freshly cut log piles oozing pine resin and filling the air with its delicious scent. Young bracken enthusiastically waved at me as I passed, while speckled wood butterflies ascended and descended between the

This afternoon I took a wander through my home village. Swapping between sunglasses and brolly, nature was embracing the contrast. Berries and seeds were already growing on trees and shrubs, while wild grasses swayed in the meadows. The trees - old and gnarly were full of fairy holes, growing in peculiar shapes like a secret nature code that only the forest fae can read. Tawny owls perch there, and fledged woodpeckers call from hidden branches. Speckled wood butterflies brave

I feel an anticipation in the air heading into June, and it made me smile how organically I have ended up with so many animal-based workshops this month. Something kept drawing my attention to both the animals and the energetics of June, and now it all makes sense. June is a month of polarity. It's inviting us to become more aware of who we truly are. Not just the story we tell ourselves, but how we show up in the world. June is asking for authenticity—not perfection, but an

During May we enjoyed some lovely walks, firstly at Breamore amongst the wildflowers and meadows where we caught sight of hares and the last of the bluebells holding on. We also walked at Puckpits in search of the forest fae, as we wandered through ancient tree portals and took in the views across the heaths and ponds. During June, we will visit the ancient hillfort of Clearbury Rings, walking through farmland and meadows full of wild hedges and flowers. On this walk, we will

To hear the dawn chorus at Nunton this morning was worth getting up before daybreak. The heavy scent of cow parsley lining the verges led the way. The cows on the dairy farm were peacefully chewing the cud in the cool of the morning, while the wild hedges were opening their blooms to welcome the rising sun. Ox-eye daisies beckoned me up the hill towards the hillfort, where I was greeted at the gate by a herd of cows. The one animal that still makes me a little nervous is cows

Kingley Vale is very dear to my heart. It is the place that gave me a sense of freedom and peace through my teenage years. Just recently, I have felt the pull to go back and visit, so I did just that. Although it now has tidy paths and information boards, and you can no longer ride amongst the ancient yew trees as I did 30 years ago. The trees still hold the sense of freedom and peace. Along my walk, I saw two roe deer chasing and creating roe rings. I had a close encounter w

The sickly sweet scent of hawthorn travelled on the breeze and as I passed, the gentle hum of pollinators were serenading the flowers. A red kite swooped above the heath and cuckoos called from the woodlands edge. Ponies grazed between the daisies and cuckoo flowers and bracken is loosening its tight coils. Waymarker trees stand not as guides, but guardians. Ancient beeches arch into living portals, their shadowed thresholds bending the path towards Puckpits Inclosure, where

Jen is a highly skilled therapist with twenty-five years experience; she works with her clients outdoors in nature . Jen’s clients all present with varied experiences of trauma. Some clients present with acute experiences of trauma: discreet, traumatic events. Other clients present with chronic trauma: a lifetime of fundamental needs which have not been met. Certain clients present with a combination of both acute and chronic trauma. No matter what the source of the trauma, J

My name is Oliver. I live in the New Forest with my mum and my aunties. I spend my days playing with my friends and snoozing in the sun. My legs are still too long and my neck too short to graze properly, so my mum feeds me while I grow strong. I’m learning about the world - wide-eyed, curious, and full of wonder, but I also have to be careful. My family tells me stories about parts of the forest where ponies lose their way. They become used to human food, encouraged to eat f

During April, we visited Ibsley common and looked at the wartime history taken back by nature, and we will enjoy the bluebells on Thursday evening at one of mine - and the wildlife favourite places in the forest. During May, we will be enjoying another of my favourite walks at Breamore, with its wild hedges and verges, ancient landscape and magical mizmaze and yew grove. We will also be visiting Puckpits inclosure. Named because it is believed fairies are seen amongst the tr

Beltane is a fire festival of the Wheel of the Year, often associated with May Day (1st May). It marks the height of spring, sitting between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. Beltane is a celebration of life, fertility, and the awakening of the land. At its heart is the crowning of the May Queen, whose love, joy, and maiden energy stir the earth into full bloom. The Green Man, long waiting in the shadows, emerges adorned with ivy, twigs, and moss. He is greeted by t

Most people in and around the New Forest don't take the ponies for granted. They wander across roads, graze on open verges, and appear out of the mist like something unchanged by time. But their presence isn’t simply tradition - it’s the result of centuries of pressure, conflict, and determination by the people who still turn them out today. At the heart of it all is commoning: the ancient right of local people to graze animals on the open forest. Without it, there would be n

Join me for a day of pause with meditation, gentle creativity, and an introduction to the history, folklore, intentions and wild plants of spring, as we connect with the birthing and renewal of Beltane. I will welcome you with a freshly, foraged drink and an introduction to the meaning and folklore of Beltane. Followed by meditation for grounding ourselves for a beautiful day of intention setting. We will then head outside to learn more about some spring wild plants. Then ta

Thank you for the response to offering an animal healing workshop. I’m so happy to share that I’ll be offering the Workshop on **27th June** 🐾✨ Come and meet the beautiful souls in the photo (and their friends!) for what promises to be a truly special day. https://www.newforestnatureandnurture.com/event-details/animal-healing-workshop-3 This week has been full of meaningful connections. I’ve met two incredibly generous and like-minded women who share a deep love for animals

Some trees become landmarks through ancient wisdom, unusual form, or ties to history. The Elephant Oak holds all of these qualities. He is classed as ancient, although in truth he is only middle-aged for an oak. Oaks are not natural woodland trees, they prefer open pasture, or pasture woodland, where they can spread their great canopies wide. When crowded by other trees, they are forced upward, a constraint that shortens their lifespan. But the Elephant Oak has chosen well. H

Early in spring, before many other trees have stirred, blackthorn - often known as the Mother wood bursts into bloom. Its branches are smothered in clouds of snow-white flowers, filling the air with a delicate scent that deepens in the warmth of the sun. Later in the year, these blossoms give way to dark, dusky fruits - the sloes, best known for flavouring one of winter’s most delicious comforts: sloe gin. Blackthorn is not only beautiful but vital. Its early flowers provide

Spring is a season of renewal, replenishment, and purification. I encourage you to step outside and lose yourself in nature for a while. Signs of change are all around us; sometimes we just need to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the rhythm of the natural world. Wildflowers are beginning to emerge along forest paths, road verges, and hedgerows - from delicate dog violets to bright celandines. The woodland air, though still damp, carries a freshness distinctly different fro

During March, we walked at Minstead and visited Arthur Conan Doyle's grave to enjoy the country lanes and wildflower footpaths. We also walked at Milkham and enjoyed some warmer weather while listening to the birds and spotting signs of spring as the trees are budding and the first flowers are blooming. During April, I will be offering walks at Ibsley Common. This walk is steeped in history and folktales, with wartime evidence being consumed by nature. It offers vast views ac

Ostara - The spring equinox, is all about balance as the day and night are of equal lengths. We are starting to awaken our energy as nature pushes her shoots through the soil, and leaf buds are preparing to burst into life. We feel the desire to start new projects and clear out the stagnant energy of winter. Enjoy the 40 minute meditation below to help you pause in a moment of balance and to clear away the old energies for focus and a new momentum.