Tour of Forest of Flowers
Time and Date: Wednesday 21st August, at 10.00am
Location: Forest of Flowers, Home Farm, Tollerton Road, York YO61 1JB, UK
Cost: £10 per person
The Tour: Will showcase key areas of the new habitat, from woodland to wildflowers and ponds, and their benefit for wildlife. Alwyn will also explain how the Forest of Flowers was created, and answer questions on how you can support biodiversity with your green space, no matter the scale.
The tour will include a visit to see a different kind of wildlife - our goats and pigs! They're an important part of our smallholding and very friendly too.
The tour will end with coffee and cake in the orchard.
About Forest of Flowers: The Forest of Flowers project has created 74 acres of woodland and wildflower meadows and has 18 ponds, with the sole aim to maximise biodiversity and provide a thriving natural sanctuary for wildlife.
The land, previously a mixed arable and sheep farm, was re-purposed in 2016 when over 42,000 trees and shrubs were planted, alongside 35 native wildflower species. This is part of a vision to create a thriving ecosystem to benefit pollinators, birds and a diverse range of native wildlife.
The project also supports:
- Carbon capture to reduce the effects of climate change.
- Flood prevention in the local area.
- UK wildflower population, providing seeds from the meadows to other sites nationwide.
More information is available at https://www.forestofflowers.co.uk
About Alwyn Craven: Alwyn studied Biology at Oxford University, achieved a Diploma in Horticulture with Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, before working with the WWT London Wetland Centre and going on to lead the Forest of Flowers plantation near York. Alwyn has an excellent knowledge of ecology as well as plant and wildlife species and taxonomy.
Directions: If driving from the A19: Follow the signs for Burn Hall Hotel. We are on the same road and our farm is the next turning after the hotel on the left.
If driving from Huby village: Drive towards the Burn Hall Hotel and turn right before the hotel.
Our farm entrance will be signposted with 'Forest of Flowers' signs as you approach. Drive through the large iron gate.
What3words: cutaway.hamsters.homes
https://what3words.com/cutaway.hamsters.homes
Parking: Drive straight down and turn right - you can park in the yard on the concreted area. Please be conscious of other drivers.
Contact: If any issues arise on the day, you can call or text Tom on 07982007811.
General Information: Please note the following,
- Please bring suitable footwear - walking boots are highly recommended as the terrain can be uneven in places. The walk is around 1.5 miles.
- The event will be completely outside and mostly out in our meadows, so prepare for the weather as you prefer - e.g. hat, insect repellant, sun cream, water bottle, waterproofs, layers.
- Please do not enter any of our farm buildings as some are unsafe.
- Please stay with the guided walk.