Cherry Wood Adventures

30/05/2026

The Bluebell Wood always offers something to surprise and delight.
Whilst watching the Kingfisher at the lower pond (and top marks to Evelyn for picking out an iridescent Kingfisher feather floating at the water's edge), I heard a bird call that I didn't recognise.
It sounded like a Blackbird, or Song Thrush, but not quite...
With the warm weather across Europe at the moment, I wondered if it was some kind of migrant visitor. The Merlin birdsong app suggested Golden Oriole! Surely not, I thought, it's much more likely to be a Thrush with an unusual call pattern...
But the more I listened to it, the more definite Merlin was about it. I could pick out a brief gurgle in the call, which you can 'see' in the sound wave imagery. There was also a Jay-like "scraak" which correlated with the notes on the bird.
So I set off in the direction of the call, and, shaky, low resolution camera aside, you can hear in the video below.
You can also hear how dry it is in the woods!
Finally, at the edge of the wood, I had a glimpse of my Oriole. Notoriously hard to spot, feeding as it does in the high canopy, it moved from one tree to another, a flash of gold in the green.
Golden Oriole. What a treasured moment.

28/05/2026

There is one space now available at tomorrow's Flower Fairies event, 10.30-12. It is now a subsidised place, so if you would like a magical morning in the woods, do get in touch at [email protected]

28/05/2026

Come and explore this interesting wood - those who have been to my events here know it's a special place...

25/05/2026

There's space on Elderflower Magic this Wednesday at The Nest, Wilmington, 10.30-12.30. Collect elderflowers from the hedgerows of this lovely farmland site. Light a fire (or use the stove if it's too hot!) to make pancakes with elderflowers and sip elderflower cordial. Saw, cut and snip elder branches to make an elder pencil and jewellery. ​ Make some elderflower ice cream to eat while swinging in the hammocks in the shade under the treehouse.
​
£12 per child aged 6 to 14, adults free.

To book, please email [email protected]

23/05/2026

Too hot for the beach? The cool, shady woods are perfect for a summer adventure.
We might find the three baby Tawny Owls that I saw yesterday!
There are spaces on Tuesday's "Camp and Cook", and Friday's "The Oak Tree".
Build a den, whittle a cooking stick, cook elderflower bread; or discover how to make ink from oak galls to write or draw the story of our oaks, and make an oak leaf pendant.
For these, and other summertime sessions, see www.cherrywoodadventures.co.uk/events

22/05/2026

There are some last minute spaces on Nature Adventures after school club at Motcombe School in Term 6, on the Tuesday and Wednesday groups. We will be learning about moths and butterflies, snakes and lizards and cooking pizza on the camp fire!
For more information, please email [email protected]

20/05/2026

Like most people, I have days when I wonder if what I do is enough... Then someone kindly tells me what a difference I have made for their child, or for themselves. Today, I said farewell to one of my longest serving Forest Folk, and was gifted an inspirational book, and the most beautiful handmade necklace. It features the Long Man of Wilmington, Skylarks, and the happy place on the Downs where they walk and remember all the snippets of learning they have gained from me.
Sigh. I love my job.

19/05/2026

This is a great offer to visit thr woods, garden and cafe at Bates Green Farm! If I wasn't working elsewhere, I would be going!

According to the forecast, summer starts tomorrow! ☀️

Bates Green Garden is looking glorious, the woods are the epitome of tranquility & you can spend the day enjoying everything we have to offer! 🌿

For only £10, you can visit the garden & the woods, then enjoy a clotted cream tea on us! 🍓

(Offer only applies to paid entries. Excludes friends memberships & other entry offers)

17/05/2026

It's Elderflower time! I'm making some cordial for upcoming events... you can join us on Wednesday in half term for some Elderflower Magic: www.cherrywoodadventures.co.uk/events

This is how I make it:

Gather about 40 heads of elderflowers. Rinse them gently to remove any creatures.

Put the 2.5kg sugar (yes, it's a lot of sugar!) and 1.5 litres water into a preserving pan. If the largest pan you have is a casserole dish, do it in three or four batches.

Gently heat until the sugar has dissolved, then bring to the boil for a minute. Remove from the heat.

Zest 3 large lemons, then slice them, and add both to the syrup. Then add the elderflowers. Some recipes also add about 30g citric acid at this point - I don't as I keep most of my cordial in the freezer.

Cover the pan and leave to infuse for a day. Then strain into a bowl, either through a muslin or a sieve lined with a clean tea towel. Ladle into sterilised jars or into tubs to freeze.

I'll make my own ice cream by whipping double cream until soft, stirring in the cordial and freezing. Heaven.

16/05/2026

Some of you have been lucky enough to experience Philippa Vine's cooking on some of my woodland adventures. Well, now you can recreate her joyous recipes at home, as she has written the first of a set of four seasonal cookbooks!
Take a look at Philippa's Seasonal Kitchen and find out more at www.myseasonalkitchen.co.uk

I am so pleased for her. She is an amazing woman.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/2056378895308106