About us
A hidden woodland haven of cabins, yurts and traditional rural craft
Forest Garden Shovelstrode is a 6-acre woodland retreat near East Grinstead, Sussex, offering handcrafted log cabins, traditional yurts and a living Forest Garden inspired by permaculture. The regenerating ancient woodland is a peaceful place for guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and experience traditional rural craft.
We offer stays in 2 yurts and 4 log cabins, along with a wide range of woodland craft courses taught throughout the year. Everything here is rooted in a love of nature, sustainability and the preservation of traditional skills.
Our Story
Forest Garden Shovelstrode is the creation of Charles and Lisa Hooper, who share a passion for horticulture, self-sufficiency and the belief that traditional rural crafts should be protected and passed on.
The idea began in 2009, when Charles appeared on the BBC's Mastercrafts (greenwood episodes, see link in Press section) whilst Lisa was learning about Forest Gardening. Their combined interests grew into a vision: a place where people could stay in nature, learn hands-on skills and experience a more sustainable way of living.
Since opening in 2010, the Forest Garden has taken shape, the woodland has regenerated, and thousands of guests have visited to stay in the yurts and cabins or take part in craft courses.
Our Woodland and History
The land was once part of John of Gaunt’s Medieval hunting park, originally within the vast Anderida forest. Historically, the woodland would have been dominated by giant oak and coppiced ash with hazel understorey thriving in the damp clay and loam soils. The ancient landscape was described by historian William Lambarde in 1576 as "a desart and waste wilderness....... stored with herdes of deere and droves of hogges only".
The woodland was coppiced during the Tudor period to fuel the furnaces of the Wealden Iron industry, making canons for Henry VIII's armada before declining in 1828. The evidence can be seen in the existence of old iron pits within our ancient woodland.
In 2020, following the devastation caused by Ash dieback disease, the ash trees were removed, and a replanting programme of a mixed variety of native species commenced. We continue to manage the woodland sensitively, encouraging biodiversity, wild flowers and natural regeneration.
The Forest Garden
Our Forest Garden is an oasis of edible plant species, designed using the principles of Permaculture and Agroforestry - one of the oldest forms of land use in the world.
It is planted across 7 layers :
- Root crops
- Ground cover
- Herbs
- Fruiting Shrubs
- Dwarf Trees
- Canopy Trees
- Vertical Climbers
We hope our 'Garden of Eden' inspires visitors to explore self-sufficiency and make use of even the smallest piece of land.
Wild Crafting and Sustainability
Wild crafting is the careful harvesting of plants from their natural habitat and is part of our ethos. Only flowers or branches are taken, leaving the plant alive and thriving. Our aim is to demonstrate how thoughtful planting, traditional skills and low-impact living can support a more sustainable lifestyle.
Forest Garden Shovelstrode is an ongoing project, shaped by a desire to live closer to nature and share that experience with others.
