Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forests Garden

Visitors will journey through the transformation of a damaged ancient woodland, from a dark, uniform conifer forest into a vibrant, thriving habitat bursting with life, colour and beauty. Along the way, they'll discover how the Trust carefully opens up these landscapes, letting in the light that awakens the dormant seed bank beneath the soil, allowing ancient species to flourish once more.

The design features a striking transition zone where regimented conifers gradually give way to a more diverse, naturally regenerating woodland. This evolving landscape highlights that restoration is a process, not an instant result, a living story of renewal rather than a finished forest. In essence, the garden tells a powerful story of stewardship and hope: how, with care and patience, ancient woodlands can re-emerge from plantation sites and reclaim their rightful place in the natural world.