Come along and learn more about nature-led recovery at Heal’s first rewilding site, Heal Somerset.

Heal Somerset began its recovery from its ecologically depleted state at the beginning of 2023 and nature here is already beginning to bounce back. This tour is a unique opportunity to spend time with Heal’s co-founder and acting CEO, Jan Stannard, who will take you around part of our beautiful site on mown paths.

You will learn more around the wider context of rewilding, including the reasons we need it and the benefits it brings to nature, the climate and to our own wellbeing. Jan will talk about the rewilding principles that Heal follows and give you an insight into some of our plans for the land, particularly the interventions we’re considering and our plans for future livestock introductions. The group will also hear about some of the changes we have seen on the site already, including the very welcome appearance of wild-living beavers.

You will also hopefully experience some of the varied wildlife we have on site, but even if the creatures are elusive on the day, we know you will still find the site a beautiful, peaceful and restorative place to be.

Your tour will finish with refreshments in our 17^th century farmhouse where conversations about rewilding and Heal can continue.

TOUR LOCATION
Heal Somerset is in a very rural location, a few miles from Bruton, Frome, the A303 and the Wiltshire border, at Lower West Barn Farm, Bindon Lane, Witham Friary, BA11 5HH. Parking is included in your ticket price and you can park on site. Directions will be sent in a confirmation email ahead of the day.

TIMINGS

Arrive: please arrive at least ten minutes before the tour start time
Length of tour: around two hours

CLOTHING AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
We recommend you bring binoculars if you have them for this tour although there will be a couple of spare pairs available on the day.

We recommend that you wear sturdy shoes or walking boots suitable for rough, uneven ground and wellingtons if the weather has been very wet in the days leading up to the tour. If the forecast is wet, bring a waterproof jacket and a hat. To reduce the chance of ticks finding their way inside clothing, we recommend long trousers tucked into socks. If the forecast is hot, it's best to wear layers including a light cotton shirt or t-shirt and please bring sun cream and potentially a hat. We also recommend bringing a water bottle, preferably a reusable one. You will be able to top it up at the site. In the summer months, please remember your antihistamine if you are a hay fever sufferer!

[We give this level of detail to encourage wider participation in our tours by people who may be unfamiliar with being out in nature and we hope this is useful for them as well as a reminder to those already aware.]

ACCESSIBILITY
The site is not yet wheelchair-accessible, but we do have one all-terrain mobility scooter available. If you would like to use this, or find out more, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk

Assistance dogs are welcome. If you have any additional accessibility requirements or questions, please email events@healrewilding.org.uk.

OTHER THINGS

Cancellation

We reserve the right to cancel this tour and either refund you or book you into an alternative date. This would be due to a very poor weather forecast, low numbers or illness and will be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

Please note, tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled.

Children and babies: Children over 12 and babies in slings are welcome (please note that most of the site is not pushchair-friendly). Please contact events@healrewilding.org.uk  for more information about bringing children or babies.

Dogs: Other than assistance dogs, you can't bring a pet dog or any other pets to the site.

Supporting Heal: The net proceeds from the cost of your ticket will go towards supporting the work of Heal.

You'll also have the chance to become a Friend of Heal and to donate to support our work.

Special ticketing: If you are unwaged, a student or living on a very low income and the cost of attending is prohibitive, please select the £18 ticket when checking out. These are limited to two per tour.

Local accommodation: We can't offer accommodation yet at Heal Somerset but in the summer months, we have camping and tipi options available on site. You can find out more here: https://www.healsomerset.org.uk/camping. There are also lots of places to stay in and around Frome and Bruton.

Transport: The remote rural location means that travelling here by car is the most practical option and there will be car parking available for all tour participants.

If you are doing a group booking for 4-8 people, we may be able to organise a pick-up from a local train station (Castle Cary, Bruton or Frome) so please email events@healrewilding.org.uk to discuss arranging that.