Woodland Walks - The Woodland Trust Podcast artwork

Woodland Walks - The Woodland Trust Podcast

43 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★ - 3 ratings

Welcome to the Woodland Trust podcast, 'Woodland Walks'. We'll be exploring some of the greatest woods, forests and sites in the Woodland Trust estate. Join our host, Adam Shaw, as we discover the stories and characters that make each of our woods so very special. We’ll explore awe-inspiring ancient woodland and get lost together in the rich habitats that support our native wildlife. We'll meet the site managers and the magnificent volunteers who protect woods and plant trees. For wildlife. For people.

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Episodes

1. Sheffield's Tree Story

February 22, 2024 09:00 - 30 minutes - 41.3 MB

Our setting for this episode, Sheffield’s Endcliffe Park seems like many other popular green spaces, but it has a hidden history: its waterways once helped fuel the Industrial Revolution in the ‘Steel City’. We discover how Sheffield’s past intertwines with trees as local urban forester, Catherine Nuttgens, explains how nature and the city have shaped each other through the centuries, and why people here are so passionate about trees. We also meet Stella Bolam who works with community groups...

20. Tring Park, Hertfordshire

November 03, 2023 12:00 - 37 minutes - 51.4 MB

This was certainly an episode with a difference - we begin in a Natural History Museum packed with 4,000 taxidermy animals! The Woodland Trust site and museum now share space once owned by the famous Rothschild family who collected stuffed species, as well as live exotic animals that roamed the park. We tour Tring Park’s fascinating historic features, from the avenue named after visitor Charles II to the huge stone monument rumoured to be for his famous mistress. Beneath autumn-coloured boug...

19. Day 79 with 'Tree Pilgrim' Martin Hügi

September 27, 2023 11:53 - 32 minutes - 44.1 MB

Sheltering from the rain under a yew tree in a Shrewsbury churchyard, we chat to 'Tree Pilgrim' Martin Hügi, the Trust's outreach manager in the South East. He’s taken a four-month sabbatical to walk from Land’s End to John O’Groats and visit thousands of incredible trees along the way. Hear Martin on awe-inspiring trees that have rendered him speechless, the vital Ancient Tree Inventory that helped plan the route, the value of ‘plugging in’ to nature and what's in his kit bag! We also hear ...

18. Coppicing at Priory Grove, Monmouth

August 25, 2023 09:27 - 31 minutes - 43.7 MB

Discover the fascinating ancient art of coppicing as we visit Priory Grove in Wales' Wye Valley, where the technique is still practised on a small scale to benefit both people and wildlife. We meet site manager Rob and contractor Joe to learn more about the coppicing carried out here, and how this interaction between people and nature has enabled the two to develop and evolve in tandem. Also in this episode, find out how an unfortunate end for ash trees resulted in a fantastic sea of wild ga...

17. Wye Valley ancient woods with Kate Humble

July 04, 2023 13:33 - 59 minutes - 81.1 MB

Join us as presenter, author and farmer Kate Humble guides us through magical ancient woodland near her remote Wales home in the Wye Valley. With infectious enthusiasm and occasional impressions, she tells us about the plants and animals along our route as well as the story of her accidental career, becoming host of nation’s favourite Springwatch having never wanted to be a TV presenter! Kate also talks worldwide travels, access to nature and planting trees with the Woodland Trust on her sma...

16. Designing Yonder Oak Wood, Devon

May 26, 2023 08:35 - 27 minutes - 37.9 MB

I met the Yonder Oak Wood team back in March to discover how this landscape will be transformed for people and wildlife, and what designing a new wood involves. The vision is to attract plentiful wildlife with healthy habitat that offers refuge from weather extremes and fights climate change. The local community has been involved from the off - volunteer Sally Burton joins us to explain what she gets up to, how excited everyone is about the future and what volunteering means to her. We also ...

15. Tristan Gooley, the natural navigator

April 21, 2023 08:30 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MB

You'll never look at a tree in the same way again after this episode. Our guest, Tristan Gooley, is known as the natural navigator and gives us fascinating insight into the stories nature is telling us and how they can help us find our way. At Eartham Wood, West Sussex, he teaches us how each part of a tree can tell us about the land, water and animals around us. I put his skills to the test as we read the captivating clues of brown leaves, leaning trunks, lichens, yew, blackthorn and more. ...

14. The rainforest of Bovey Valley Woods, Devon

March 17, 2023 16:19 - 29 minutes - 40.3 MB

Did you know we have rainforest right here in the UK? Visit magical Bovey Valley Woods in Devon with us as we walk alongside a babbling brook and over a Tolkien-esque stone bridge among trees dripping with lichens and mosses and learn all about it. Site manager David Rickwood describes the features of UK rainforest, some of the fantastic species that live here and why this habitat is so important as he takes us on a lichen hunt, shows us an otter holt and much more. Find out what a rapid rai...

13. Londonthorpe Wood, Lincolnshire

January 24, 2023 10:10 - 18 minutes - 25.6 MB

Londonthorpe Wood has been a haven for wildlife and people for 30 years. Colourful meadows and lush grassland open out amidst trees both old and new, where butterflies, grass snakes, wildflowers and woodpeckers all live. Now the Woodland Trust and National Trust are working together to make it even more appealing and accessible. Project manager Heather Cook tells us all about it, including what’s been achieved so far, how local people have been involved, prioritising nature, history and visi...

12. Ancient trees at Hatfield Forest, Essex

December 02, 2022 12:48 - 38 minutes - 53.1 MB

Join us for an episode of virtual time travel to visit Hatfield Forest, Essex and explore over 2,000 years of rich history. As we journey through this outdoor museum, we chat to Tom Reed, a Woodland Trust ancient tree expert, and Ian Pease, a National Trust ranger, who explain why the wildlife and cultural value of these trees makes them irreplaceable. Discover why ancient trees are so important, what makes a tree ancient, how people have lived and worked with them through the centuries and ...

11. Tree ID top tips

November 04, 2022 11:25 - 34 minutes - 46.8 MB

Much as I love a woodland walk, my tree identification skills leave a lot to be desired, so I travelled to Londonthorpe Wood, Grantham for a lesson from the experts. We join tree ID guru Sally to learn how to recognise common trees from their leaves, catkins, bark and berries. From apple and ash to hawthorn and hazel, she also tells us more about the trees’ value for wildlife. I learned so much during this episode, and I hope you do too. Don't forget to rate us and subscribe! Learn more ab...

10. Peckham Rye Park with Charity Wakefield

August 08, 2022 11:02 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MB

Charity Wakefield’s passion for the natural world shone through when we caught up at her local green space. I met the actor, environmentalist and Woodland Trust ambassador at Peckham Rye Park to talk about trees, wildlife and acting. Charity explains how nature has made her happy since the tree-climbing, den-building days of her childhood. She is concerned that people have lost their connection with the environment, but is hopeful for the future and encourages us to recognise that we can a...

9. Langley Vale Wood, Surrey

July 08, 2022 07:51 - 32 minutes - 45.3 MB

Langley Vale Wood is a really special place. Created as part of the Trust’s First World War Centenary Woods project, it’s a natural living legacy for the fallen that symbolises peace and hope. Memorials offer space to remember in an evocative and moving tribute. As well as these important reflections on the past, the site has a bright future. Previously an arable farm that became non-viable, nature is now thriving, with butterfly, bird and rare plant numbers all up. Join site manager Guy K...

8. Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood, Leicestershire

May 27, 2022 14:31 - 31 minutes - 43.1 MB

Join us at Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Wood, Leics to discover a thriving 10-year-old wood, chat royal trees and celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. We meet with site manager David Logan to explore the site's connections with the royal family, its special art features and some of the wildlife, sights and sounds you might encounter on a visit.  Don't forget to rate us and subscribe! Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk. Transcript Voiceover: You are listening to W...

7. Avoncliff Wood, Wiltshire

May 17, 2022 14:42 - 32 minutes - 43.9 MB

Lying next to the River Avon just inside the Cotswolds, Avoncliff Wood is no ordinary wood. The site hosts one of the biggest trials in the UK to find biodegradable alternatives to plastic tree guards. As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also a living laboratory, revealing how ash dieback will really affect nature. Site manager Joe gives us a special behind the scenes tour to learn more. We also meet volunteer wardens Kay and James, and catch up with TV presenter Alice Beer who lives nearby. Do...

6. Marden Park, Surrey

March 31, 2022 10:37 - 25 minutes - 34.6 MB

On a delightful spring morning at Marden Park, just inside the M25 in East Surrey, we enjoy a walk with expert site manager Nick. He fills us in on how nature and people are benefiting from this special place and explains some of the challenges here too, including dealing with the effects of ash dieback and climate change. Wildlife is thriving here thanks to the mix of woodland both young and old, veteran trees, rare chalk grassland and more. We see butterflies and signs of badgers during ...

5. Planting trees with Elaine Paige

February 25, 2022 09:56 - 24 minutes - 34 MB

We join Elaine Paige, award winning actress, singer, producer and radio presenter, as she plants trees at London's Hainault Forest. Known as the First Lady of Musical Theatre with roles in Evita, Cats and many more, Elaine chats with us about nature, the theatre and her hopes for the future. She gives us insight into her years on stage, from the origins of her love of music to her rise to stardom in Evita in 1978, a role that changed her life forever. We also talk about why nature is impor...

4. Hainault Forest, Romford

January 27, 2022 12:18 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MB

Close to London, this urban oasis has a long and important history. It has provided wood to fire the capital’s bread ovens and venison for the king’s table, and is where the British conservation movement began. We join the Trust’s Jonathan Jukes and George Lewis for a tour of this special place, a remnant of the Forest of Essex once protected by the crown. Among stately hornbeams and oaks, you can almost imagine highwaymen charging through, Roman legions marching and local people managing ...

3. A walk with author Jon Drori

December 21, 2021 11:29 - 27 minutes - 37.4 MB

How do trees communicate? Which species' bark was used as a kind of antiseptic chewing gum in the Stone Age? These and other fascinating facts and stories came up during my chat with author, environmentalist and Trust ambassador, Jon Drori CBE. Jon's love of nature grew from childhood visits to Kew Gardens and parents who encouraged him to view nature scientifically and also for its beauty. Both perspectives shine through in his books, Around the World in 80 Trees and Around the World in 8...

2. Mya-Rose Craig aka Birdgirl

October 06, 2021 14:32 - 21 minutes - 29.2 MB

Mya-Rose Craig is extraordinary. Known to many as Birdgirl, she travelled far and wide on a quest to see half the world's bird species before her 18th birthday. She's also an environmentalist, diversity activist, writer, speaker and broadcaster - and has an honorary doctorate in science from the University of Bristol. As well as her birding achievements, we chat about her passion for nature and encouraging young people and under-represented communities to connect with it. She also talks us...

1. Urban parks with Adrian Chiles

July 12, 2021 15:15 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MB

We begin our second series by celebrating the benefits and beauty of urban trees with journalist and presenter Adrian Chiles. In a West London park, he describes how nature gives him relief from the overstimulation of the capital, both in green city spaces and the countryside. We chat too about Adrian's career, and reminisce a little about our good times working together at the BBC in the nineties. At times both funny and frank, he also touches on his experiences of depression and anxiet...

1. Urban parks with Adrian Chiles

July 12, 2021 15:15 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MB

We begin our second series by celebrating the benefits and beauty of urban trees with journalist and presenter Adrian Chiles. In a West London park, he describes how green city spaces and the countryside give him relief from the overstimulation of the capital. We chat too about Adrian's career, and reminisce a little about our good times working together at the BBC in the nineties. At times both funny and frank, he also touches on his experiences of depression and anxiety, as well as att...

20. Kensington Gardens with Cressida Cowell

May 17, 2021 14:31 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MB

Author and illustrator of How to Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once, Cressida Cowell is also the current Waterstones Children’s Laureate. As we get lost in London's Kensington Gardens, she tells us of her passion for trees and nature, reminisces about the wild childhood trips that inspire her stories and praises the power of hope and imagination. She also shares the E.B. White quote she lives her life by and sings an anthem from one of her books! And don't miss the closing clip of...

19. Hampstead Heath with Alastair Campbell

April 09, 2021 08:07 - 25 minutes - 35 MB

Our guest for this episode, Alastair Campbell, has long recognised the positive impact of the natural world on his mind, body and spirit. While walking on London's Hampstead Heath, the communicator, writer and strategist opens up about his mental health struggles and how green space helps get him through. It's a tough listen at times, but an important topic that many will relate to.   Hear all about his popular 'tree of the day' posts and his sense of nature being a healer, especially sinc...

19. Hampstead Heath with Alastair Campbell

April 09, 2021 08:07 - 25 minutes - 35 MB

Our guest for this episode, Alastair Campbell, has long recognised the positive impact of the natural world on his mind, body and spirit. While walking on London's Hampstead Heath, the communicator, writer and strategist opens up about his mental health struggles and how green space helps get him through. It's a tough listen at times, but an important topic that many will relate to.   Hear all about his popular 'tree of the day' posts and his sense of nature being a healer, especially si...

18. Regent's Park with Paddy O'Connell

February 25, 2021 16:37 - 26 minutes - 35.7 MB

The idea of glimpsing lions and tigers while walking among trees in the local park may sound fantastical - but that's exactly what lucky Paddy O'Connell does every day. For this episode, the TV and radio presenter takes us along on this exclusive experience, accompanied by Bob the dog. Paddy enjoys a regular dose of nature thanks to nearby Regent's Park. Home to London Zoo and 'the most special sound in London', the park also has a lake, gardens and about 6,000 trees. We also discover ho...

17. More Woodland Trust staff stories

February 08, 2021 15:53 - 20 minutes - 47.3 MB

Do you know the difference between a rainforest and a normal forest? Or which moth looks like a fragment of 1970s carpet? Find out in our latest episode as we call on more staff from around the Trust to share their fascinating stories and favourite woods. We chat to Laura Shewring, Colin Riley, Paul Mosley and volunteer David Mason about Wales' rainforests and a special ancient wood in Lancashire. There's much praise for magical Hackfall in North Yorkshire, and we talk about how lockdown a...

16. Lindow Common, Cheshire with Clare Nasir

January 29, 2021 08:52 - 15 minutes - 20.7 MB

We meet Clare Nasir, the face of Channel 5 weather and a best-selling author. She shares her views on climate change, weather and being wild about the countryside. She also treats us to a tour of Lindow Common near her home in Cheshire. It's a special place for Clare. Featuring woods, heathland, peatland and a lake, she admires the small differences in nature every day - something many of us have noticed more during lockdown - as well as the site's important role in capturing carbon and f...

15. Ormeau Park, Belfast with Kathy Clugston

January 18, 2021 09:36 - 23 minutes - 32.4 MB

With lockdown upon us once more, we've chatted to more famous faces - and voices - to help bring you a taste of the great outdoors. In this episode, we meet Kathy Clugston: newsreader, continuity announcer and host of Radio 4's Gardeners' Question Time. She takes us on a foggy winter walk through Belfast's Ormeau Park, where meandering paths lead through hundreds of trees. Having visited for 50 years and grateful to now live nearby, it's a place she finds heartening and bolstering. We also...

14. Woodland Trust staff stories

January 11, 2021 12:37 - 31 minutes - 43.5 MB

Amidst new lockdowns around the UK, we've taken an alternative approach to the latest podcast. Co-hosted by regular guest Ruth Hyde (and puppy Coco), we chat to staff from the Trust to find out more about their fascinating roles and some of their woodland experiences. Meet Natalie Buttriss, Jane Craven, Justin Milward and Joe Middleton to hear about wacky games in the Forest of Dean, how to develop a new love of nature, an eerie winter woodland walk, writing music inspired by the woods and...

13. The New Forest with Dan Snow

December 03, 2020 14:27 - 22 minutes - 31.4 MB

Join Adam and TV historian Dan Snow in the New Forest, one of Dan’s favourite woods and a wonderful place for history. But while history is a huge part of his life, it’s not his only passion. He’s also a self-confessed tree hugger. His love for the New Forest is clear on our walk. While growing up in London, his family regularly visited the area and he now lives nearby, describing it as a special and nurturing landscape. Of course, Dan sees many things with a historian’s eyes, but trees ...

12. Northern Forest - transforming the landscape of Northern England

October 20, 2020 14:34 - 29 minutes - 39.9 MB

The Northern Forest is an ambitious and exciting plan to plant 50 million trees across the North of England. It will transform life for people and wildlife. During a walk around Smithills near Bolton, City of Trees’ Jess Thompson and Gemma Wren of the National Trust tell us all about it. As we explore the amazing landscape, they explain how they’re involved, what the project means for the North  and why our relationship with trees is so important. We also catch up with Trust CEO Darren M...

11. A tour of Clive Anderson's garden

June 29, 2020 10:32 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MB

In another special lockdown episode, Clive Anderson gives us an audio tour of his North London garden. President of the Woodland Trust since 2004, Clive is an award-winning broadcaster and comedy writer and currently hosts Radio 4’s Loose Ends. We gain insight into his passion for nature as he describes the trees from around the world at home in his garden, and the wildlife species that like to visit. Clive mulls over what has happened to London's sparrows, reveals his natural approach to ga...

10. Trees of Hampstead Heath with Tracy Chevalier

June 08, 2020 08:40 - 13 minutes - 18.1 MB

With normal podcast recording hampered by lockdown, we visit the trees of Hampstead Heath with Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl With a Pearl Earring and other bestsellers. In this episode, Tracy describes how trees bring her comfort, considers how lockdown has changed our attitudes to nature, introduces us to two trees that are special to her and even climbs up into an old oak to show us a different perspective. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk

9. An Interview with Steph McGovern

May 28, 2020 15:31 - 19 minutes - 26.1 MB

Lockdown has hampered our usual woodland walks, so instead we’re chatting to some well-known personalities about the natural world - their favourite places, memories, hopes for the future and more. First up is journalist and presenter, Steph McGovern, who talks to us about the Avenue of Trees that brought her clarity and solace as a youngster, how attitudes to nature have changed during lockdown, helping her new daughter to appreciate the environment – and fat pigeons! Learn more about the...

8. Mead - our first Young People's Forest

May 11, 2020 12:27 - 28 minutes - 26 MB

Join Adam Shaw at one of Mead's tree planting days to find out how young people are leading the transformation of 400 acres of ex coalmining land by planting 250,000 trees. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk

7. Smithills Estate - a treasure trove for people and wildlife

April 15, 2020 11:23 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MB

An enormous, rugged landscape with a variety of valuable habitats and far-reaching views across to Bolton and Manchester, Smithills is an incredible place. Meet Tracey and Vicky, who tell us how the Trust is revitalising its largest site in England, including leaky dams, planting the right trees in the right places and involving the local community at every turn. Volunteers Pete and Alex give us insight into their years at Smithills too, along with fascinating stories of a ghostly horseman, ...

6. Joyden’s Wood – tranquil ancient woodland on London’s doorstep

March 20, 2020 15:28 - 32 minutes - 44 MB

Tucked away behind rows of houses just 13 miles from central London, we discover an ancient wood with a fascinating history stretching back to Roman times. Site manager Peter Coles shows us World War II bomb craters, restored heathland, a ‘strong ditch’ built to help keep Roman Londoners out of Saxon Kent, and much more. We also meet the Trust’s Lorienne Whittle and volunteer Greg Tingey, who tell us why tracking the effects of weather and climate change on UK wildlife is so important. Lea...

5. Urban trees

January 15, 2020 10:13 - 31 minutes - 43.6 MB

Guided by street tree guru Joe Coles, we explore the trees of Leeds, including Woodhouse Ridge, a pocket of urban woodland, some of Leeds' tree-lined streets and the London plane tree in Dortmund Square. Along the way, we meet Justin Williamson, woodland officer for Leeds City Council, and Dr Catherine Scott from Leeds University to chat about how trees affect air quality, urban trees as wildlife corridors, the benefits of green spaces for people and how cities will become part of the new No...

4. Ben Shieldaig – a mountain of rare and important rainforest

December 10, 2019 10:16 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MB

Take a tour of spectacular Ben Shieldaig in Scotland’s West Highlands, the Trust’s first mountain! Made up of ancient birchwood and Caledonian pinewood, it’s a wonderful example of Scotland’s rainforest, brimming with some of the world’s rarest lichens, bryophytes, liverworts and fungi. Explore some of the site’s geology and history, and learn what the Trust has planned for its future. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk

3. Home Farm - trees on farms

November 13, 2019 16:39 - 26 minutes - 36.8 MB

We meet David Rose who shows us around his Nottinghamshire farm. He tells us how trees are making a difference both for the farm and for local communities as he aims to promote healthy food and healthy futures. Discover the edible woodland and forest school area, meet people that enjoy visiting the farm and hear from the Trust’s Ruth Hyde and Helen Chesshire who explain that trees are important outside woods as well as in. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk

2: Loch Arkaig - Scotland's highland treasure

July 19, 2019 11:32 - 31 minutes - 59.6 MB

In this episode, Adam explores the wilderness of Loch Arkaig Pine Forest - one of Scotland's remaining fragments of native Caledonian pinewood. It lies within an iconic landscape of sparkling lochs fringed by mountains, full of rare wildlife and flora. Over land and loch Adam meets site manager Steve Morris, raptor expert Lewis Pate, project manager Jessica Maxwell and other custodians of this truly astonishing landscape. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk

1: Heartwood Forest - planted by the people, for the people

May 15, 2019 14:23 - 46 minutes - 87.9 MB

In this first episode, Adam explores Heartwood - a vast new forest of more than half a million trees, pockets of ancient woodland, wildflower meadows and fantastic wildlife. Adam is joined on his travels by Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust, along with Tim Wright and Brian Legg, some of the amazing volunteers who’ve had a huge hand in creating England's largest new native woodland. Learn more about the Woodland Trust at woodlandtrust.org.uk