Woodsell is a 180-acre wilding and regeneration project situated in the stunning landscape of the Kent Downs National Landscape, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The whole site was acquired in 2020 and the land is now under a 99 year lease to the John Foran Foundation. The charity is committed to transforming the land into a nature reserve, serving as a hub for research, training and education, with a focus on biodiversity, regenerative agriculture, arts and crafts, nature-based therapy and holistic wellness. It also provides a peaceful rural retreat where small groups of disadvantaged people can reconnect with nature and experience dark skies.
It is situated near the village of Stalisfield and is nestled between two of Kent
Wildlife Trust’s sites – Spuckles Wood and Holbeam – to form an important part of a wider Wildlife Corridor.
We are in the process of revitalising the farm to support the regeneration of flora and fauna, maintenance and enhancement of the existing woodland, inclusion of regenerative farming, replant the existing poorly maintained hedgerows, plant new trees and restoring the dilapidated farm buildings to provide comfortable eco-accommodation.
Hare photo credit to Peter Glover @gloveboxed
At Woodsell, our goal is to create a landscape where nature can truly flourish, with a particular focus on enhancing biodiversity. We are developing a habitat-restoration project designed to revitalise this traditional downland holding. This includes carrying out baseline surveys and ecological assessments to help maximise the land’s natural richness and support the wider landscape and biodiversity aims of the Kent Downs.
Our work so far includes establishing natural wilding areas, protecting wildflower and grass meadows, creating new woodland, and carefully managing existing woodland. We’ve also created a Nature Trail around the farm, allowing visitors to explore the progress we’ve made—featuring, among its highlights, our popular raised bird-watching hide on stilts.
Our four newly renovated nature retreats are situated in the heart of Woodsell and have stunning views across the Downs. The have been recently converted from the flint stable block and are located near to the Grade II Listed Farmhouse and other outbuildings. They make a fantastic base to explore Woodsell and the surrounding area, so that you can enjoy the quiet enjoyment of the rural environment and the dark skies at night. They also have access to a heated swimming pool in the summer months and are just a short walk from the award winning Plough pub in the local village.
Find out more about the ecolological enhancement measures that we have installed as part of the building works, the introduction of wildlife ponds and the fungi in the woods.
Photo credit to Peter Glover @gloveboxed
Just an hour’s drive from London and less than half an hour from Maidstone, Ashford and Canterbury, it is an easy journey to visit our nature retreats. The farm will offer a quiet space to relax and enjoy the countryside. The site offers dark skies and little noise pollution and gives visitors a chance to relax and become immersed in nature.