Wild at Heart Nature Garden

Privately owned by Stuart & Anne Larder, the garden is a quiet retreat, open to visitors most days for the enjoyment of nature and wildlife.

Wild at Heart Nature Garden opened its gate for visitors in May 2000.  The garden has evolved over a period of 20 years with the planting of 2000 native trees and shrubs and the creation of wildlife habitats.

Other sightings include bats, the Barn, Tawny and Little owls, Kestrels, Sparrow Hawks and a Buzzard.  Now the garden is quite mature we are fortunate to have regular visiting Spotted Flycatchers, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Creepers, Wagtails and Cuckoo.  Many other birds are resident in the Garden.

 

The Wild Garden

The 5 acre site was a working small-holding until 1985 when the owners diversified, providing a home to many species of birds, other animals and  insects; an agricultural haven for wildlife.

Parts of the garden are still young and in a creative stage with new habitats planned for the future in the large meadow.  Two ‘scrapes’ will disturb the ground to allow any dormant seeds to germinate with the excavated earth providing a raised area for more shrub planting.  The hollow should make a sunny spot for butterflies to rest and a wetland boggy area nearby will provide a habitat for moisture-loving plants.

There are nettle beds for butterflies and moths, as well as varieties of thistles, grasses, shrubs and plants to attract them.  We have had regular sightings of at least 16 species of butterflies; dragonflies and damsel flies and many moths.

Part of the shelter belt planted in 1845 has two Oak trees and a Hawthorn hedgerow.  The 160 year old Oaks make a good habitat for the Great Spotted Woodpeckers but the rotting trunks and logs are all that remain of the old English Elms which died from Dutch Elm Disease.  Some re-growth from the roots has appeared.  The log piles are home to insects and we hope they might attract the Stag beetle.

Bird feeding continues all year with feeders positioned around the garden.  We have some watering sites and small wildlife ponds which are a popular spot for hedgehogs.

There are shady places to sit and rest.  Mown paths lead through the woodland area and meadows, with long grass left for bird nesting and other habitats.  Wild Campion, Sweet Briar and Dog Roses seed themselves around the garden.

 

Please be careful not to disturb nests in the long grass.  Although we are dog lovers ourselves, we are unable to allow them to visit as the garden is primarily for wildlife.  Guide dogs on lead are, of course, an exception.

The grass is mown on a rotational plan during the year.  Some areas are close mown; other parts are different heights, left rough for birds of prey to hunt.  The tall grasses might look ‘weedy’ but are there intentionally.

Wild at Heart

Centre for Contemporary Art and Design