New Weekender: The science of rewilding: Coombeshead, Devon, England

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1 to 3 September 2023 - From £649 (see price grid for details)

Discover how nature is making a comeback in the scenic Devon countryside.

Rewilding allows nature to take care of itself: repairing damaged ecosystems, reintroducing species and restoring natural landscapes to create more diverse habitats.

On this brand new weekender, you will have the unique opportunity to stay at the heart of this conservation-in-action project, at Rewilding Coombeshead, nestled deep in the beautiful Devonshire countryside. In their own words ‘we create life here’. Witness the project's ‘rewilding helpers’ such as water buffalo, wild boar, mouflon sheep and Exmoor ponies in action, with Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor as your beautiful backdrops.

Hosted by New Scientist’s staff writer, Graham Lawton, along with leading ecology experts, learn about the history of rewilding; how rewilding is becoming a global phenomenon, and all about the native species that are being reintroduced to the British countryside.

During this weekender, there will be a small-group walking safari of the 400-acre rewilding site, a chance to see the animals in their breeding and reintroduction centre plus several opportunities to go beaver watching.

We’ve built in plenty of free time for you to explore the beautiful countryside, where, it is believed, some of the local forests may date back to Medieval times, and chat with our experts.

There is the option to either sleep in a beautiful shepherd’s hut, nearby cottages or pitch your tent in the 10-acre meadow. The main event is over three days but you can choose to stay for up to six nights as there is so much to explore in this part of Devon.

If you have a query, email tours@newscientist.com

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DAY 1: INTRODUCTION TO COOMBESHEAD

After arriving at the Coombeshead site, and pitching your tent or checking into your accommodation, you’ll meet your fellow guests and onsite staff over a drink in the late afternoon.

Enjoy an introductory talk from New Scientist’s Graham Lawton and a second talk from conservationist, Derek Gow, the owner and driving force behind Coombeshead, who will share with you the history and mission of the site and explain how it is run from day-to-day.

Coombeshead is not just a leading rewilding site but also acts as a consultancy for other potential rewilding sites around Europe plus it breeds and supplies many of the species reintroduced across the UK. The farm has converted a very large agricultural barn into a brilliant event space that includes the garden kitchen, bar, lounging area and auditorium for lectures. So, no matter what the weather, you will have the space to stay comfortable and in the company of our experts and fellow guests. The hosted lecture area will has audio-visual facilities, so you will be able to fully engage in the talks.

Throughout the event, the barn will also be the social hub with local ales and wines available at the bar. Meals will be served from the garden kitchen and will endeavour to use as much local produce as possible.

Then after dark, a communal campfire will be lit in the camping meadow, for all to enjoy.

DAY 2: EXPLORE THE SITE

In the morning, it’s time to see rewilding in action. You will be split into small groups. One will go for a two-hour walking safari across the main rewilded site and the other group will visit the breeding and reintroduction centre. You will then switch, allowing both groups access to all activities. Both experiences will take around two hours.

The walking safari will allow you to see rewilding helpers such as the beavers, wild ponies, boar and water buffalo, and appreciate the differences they have already made to the landscape. Breathe in nature and keep your eyes and ears open for birds, butterflies and other invertebrates that are slowly returning and establishing their homes in the area.

The breeding and reintroduction tour introduces you to some of the amazing species at the centre. These animals are here for several re-introduction and breeding programmes. This guided tour will introduce you to our white storks and water voles, and one of Britain’s smallest mammals the harvest mouse. You will learn about the species and their habitats, their roles in their natural ecosystems (both past and present) and their importance in helping prevent any future extinctions in the wild. The tour will end with a visit to the wildcat breeding area, where hopefully, you will get a glimpse of these elusive cats and maybe even their kittens.

There will also be an opportunity for some guests to rise at dawn and go beaver-watching in a hide, led by one of the site ecologists. You will learn about the ecology of the beaver and how and why it has engineered the wetlands at Coombeshead. Please note, an additional fee is applicable for this as places are limited.

In the afternoon, Graham will host further talks from leading practitioners and researchers about the history of the rewilding movement, how other countries are protecting their natural heritage and some of the issues faced by rewilding as it integrates into existing sites.

DAY 3: SPECIES BREEDING AND REINTRODUCTION THEN CLOSING COMMENTS

In the morning you’ll hear from the experts at Coombeshead about their animal breeding programme and how these are then translocated to other sites across Europe. This will be followed by a second talk then closing comments from your host Graham.

After lunch, there will be a series of optional activities across the site plus there is a self-guided walk across 250 acres of the site that has been more recently acquired. Some of the site has been going through the rewilding process for over five years, whilst other parts are just a year old, giving you the opportunity to explore the different developmental stages of a rewilding site. You will notice the difference.

Whilst there are no further activities planned, you are welcome to stay another night for free if in the shepherd's huts or camping.

If you want to make a longer stay, you are welcome to arrive from Wednesday 30th August and stay until Tuesday 5th September. Additional nights camping, cottages and shepherd's huts will be available for a reasonable cost.

QUESTIONS

Full event notes will be issued a few weeks prior to the event but feel free to drop us a line at tours@newscientist.com with your questions.

If you have a query

Email us

Highlights

Hosted by New Scientist’s Graham Lawton.
Talks from leading rewilding conservationists.
Small group guided tours of the 400-acre site and rewilding areas.
Guided tours of species breeding and reintroduction centre.
Lectures take place in a beautiful converted agricultural barn, also housing a camp canteen and bar.
Meet New Scientist Staff, wildlife experts and fellow New Scientist readers on a beautiful site overlooking both Dartmoor and Bodmin Moor.

Meet the expert

Host: Graham Lawton is a staff writer at New Scientist, with a focus on life sciences, biomedicine, earth sciences and the environment. He has a first-class honours degree in biochemistry and an MSc with distinction in science communication, both from Imperial College London. He has worked at New Scientist since 2000 in various roles including features editor, opinion editor, deputy editor, executive editor and acting editor.

In 2019 he was shortlisted for the British Journalism Awards science writer of the year, has been highly commended by the Professional Publishers Association and been shortlisted numerous times by the Association of British Science Writers awards. He is the author of three books: The Origin of (Almost) Everything, This Book Could Save Your Life and Mustn’t Grumble: The surprising science of everyday ailments and why we’re always a bit ill.

Derek Gow is a farmer turned nature conservationist and author. He wants to make a difference and therefore is in the process of rewilding his 400 acre farm. Derek has played a significant role in the reintroduction of the Eurasian beaver, the water vole and the white stork to England. He is currently working on a reintroduction project for the wildcat. Derek is the author of 'Bringing Back the Beaver' and 'Birds, Beasts and Bedlem'.

Ralph Fyfe is a Professor in Geospatial Information and Associate Dean of Research for Science and Engineering at the University of Plymouth. His research focuses on reconstructing past environmental change, particularly studying how past societies influenced and shaped their surroundings. He has authored more than 100 academic papers and book chapters and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, Higher Education Academy, and Royal Society of Arts.

Virginia Thomas is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter with a background in literature, science communication, and sociology. She was a veterinary nurse before returning to academia. Her research interests include human-animal interactions, particularly human-wildlife-conflicts, and scientific and knowledge controversies more broadly. She completed her PhD in Sociology at the University of Exeter entitled ‘Navigating the landscapes of rewilding: A comparative case study of ‘rewilding’ in the Avalon Marshes and Wild Ennerdale.

Fiona Mathews is professor of environmental biology at the University of Sussex, the founding chair of Mammal Conservation Europe, and author of the UK government’s official census of British mammals.

Tim Kendall is professor of English literature at the University of Exeter and has had a lifelong fascination with mammals. He edited Britain’s Mammals 2018. When they’re not co-writing a book, Fiona and Tim put their marriage to the test by hurtling up and down the country on wild mammal chases. They live in the wilds of East Devon with their daughters, two rabbits, a Labrador and a rehabilitating common pipistrelle bat.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Two nights camping or accommodation in a shepherd’s hut or cottage.
Programme of talks.
Guided walking safari and visit to breeding and reintroduction centre.
Weatherproof catering, lecture and social barn.
Two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners with soft drinks. (Please advise in advance if you have dietary requirements and we will confirm if we cater for them).
Fully instruction pack 2 weeks before the event.
24-hour onsite support.
An optional free extra night’s stay on Sunday for those camping or staying in a shepherd's hut.

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED

Transport to the venue.
Additional meals, snacks and drinks plus alcoholic beverages from the canteen and bar.
Dawn beaver-watching sessions will be available in limited numbers for £27 per guest.
Additional nights camping or accommodation, beyond the Sunday night option for those camping or staying in a shepherd's hut.
Additional optional activities.
Travel insurance.

PACE AND PHYSICALITY

The weekender is based at a rewilding site near Dartmoor and is subject to British weather. To make the most out of this experience, we ask that you need to be comfortable spending extended periods outdoors. Whilst the weather is clement at this time of year, it can be changeable, so bring clothing for both a warm day and a wet one.

The accommodation in the shepherd’s huts and cottages are about a quarter-of-a-mile walk on a quiet country road and through a wood to the main site. If you are camping, we would recommend that you have a degree of experience in camping and possess the appropriate equipment.

On Saturday, you will be walking at a thoughtful pace for two two-hour periods on uneven and sometimes boggy ground. The site’s owners are keen to stress that it’s a rewilding site and not a theme park.

No dogs are allowed on site except guide dogs.

Children are welcome but must be twelve and over. Please bear in mind that the level of the talks and activities are aimed at an adult audience.

HOW TO GET THERE

By car: The postcode is PL16 0JS. It is an isolated site on an elevated position but just 13 minutes’ drive from the A30. We strongly encourage lift-sharing and nearer the time will facilitate conversations between guests who wish to share.

By rail: The nearest train station is Okehampton which is just 20 minutes by taxi from Coombeshead. We will supply full details of taxis and minibuses from the station to the site.

Accommodation

Camping Meadow

Camping will be available in a beautiful meadow between the farm and the main rewilded area.

The campsite has both flushing and compost toilets. Despite our reporting on the benefits of cold showers there will also be hot showers.

Due to the terrain of the meadow, larger mobile homes and caravans are not suitable. However, if you would like to sleep in your own smaller converted campervan, please contact us to check this will be possible.

There will be staff on-site to keep the camp tidy and help you recycle.

Shepherd's Huts (Limited availability)

Five traditional shepherd's huts are available which sleep two people in each. They are spaced out in a very private area overlooking Bodmin Moor and are about a quarter of a mile away from the main site. They have private parking and their own shared facilities including showers, toilets, washing-up area and a relaxing barn for hanging out in.

Each hut has a double bed that converts into a table plus a sink, gas hob, utensils, wood burner, bedding, towels, lights and welcome pack.

Once you have bought you main event ticket, you can then purchase the Shepherd's Hut upgrade which includes 3 nights from Friday to Monday. Plus you can add on two additional nights before and one after.

If you have friends or family who wish to camp alongside your hut, we will allow one tent with up to two guests to camp alongside.

Frankaborough Farm Holiday Cottages (Limited availability)

We have secured some nearby AA four-star traditional country cottages on a delightful farm about a quarter-mile from the site on a bed-and-breakfast basis.

Frankaborough Farm is an attractive and well-kept traditional beef, dairy and arable farm over 375 acres. It’s in a quiet rural location, with a lovely duck pond and picturesque views over Dartmoor.

There are several accommodation options and you will receive a very warm welcome from Linda and her family who run the farm, the accommodation and will serve you breakfast every morning in the main farmhouse. The accommodation can be booked as an upgrade to the main event ticket, for the Friday and Saturday night. You can also choose to arrive a few days earlier and stay a few days later. All the prices are in the above price grid.

There are three different cottage types. All have full kitchens with utensils, fridge, microwave, hob and shower/toilet rooms.

SOLD OUT Two cottages that sleep up to two guests with a double bed.
Two cottages that sleep up to four guests with a double and a pair of twin beds in separate bedrooms.
One cottage for up to six guests with a pair of twin beds and two doubles in separate bedrooms.
SOLD OUT In the main farmhouse, there is a double room and twin room available. Both have ensuite facilities but no cooking facilities.

When you purchase your event tickets, just add on the appropriate cottage upgrade. You can also add on one or two days before or after. If you have any specific questions about the cottages, contact us at tours@newscientist.com.

Nearby

Within 5 miles there are three pubs that serve excellent food plus a large farm shop for local produce that has its own restaurant.

The town of Launceston is just 8 miles and Tavistock 11 miles.