The science of rewilding: Coombeshead, Devon, England
Contact us to discuss this Weekender
August 2025 - 3 days
Register for 2025 now at tours@newscientist.com and we will contact you later this year with confirmed tour 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 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 beavers, water buffalo and wild boar 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. Talk topics over the weekend include:
- The history and mission of Coombeshead Farm
- Rewilding with wild flowers and plants
- Practical Rewilding: actions you can take in your own smallholding or garden
- Save Britain's mammals!
There are a variety of accommodation options still available. From luxury bell tents with real beds to an AA four-star traditional farm cottage that sleeps up to four people. For full details, please see the accommodation section. You are of course welcome to bring your own tent to pitch in a beautiful meadow between the farm and the main rewilding area. Smaller camper vans are also accepted.
This weekend break has been designed to reconnect you with nature and is perfect for families, friends, and those looking for an immersive experience in the heart of the beautiful, wild Devon countryside. Embark on a transformative adventure that will inspire and rejuvenate nature enthusiasts of all ages.
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 in the barn. 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.
Afternoon talk: Enjoy the first talk by New Scientist’s Graham Lawton who will give an overview of the weekend and introduce the concept of rewilding.
Afternoon talk: The second talk is 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 large agricultural barn into a brilliant event space that includes a 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 has audiovisual facilities, so you will be able to fully engage in the talks.
Evening talk: The final talk of the day will be from the experts from Coombeshead Farm as they explore how wild flowers and plants are used to rewild former agricultural land.
Enjoy a relaxed dinner in the barn, then, after dark, a communal campfire will be lit 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 2-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 2 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 reintroduction 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 you will hopefully get a glimpse of these elusive cats and maybe even their kittens.
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.
Afternoon talk: After lunch, enjoy the first of todays talks from husband and wife duo, Fiona and Tim. A quarter of Brtish mammals are at risk of extinction. Fiona and Tim travelled the UK to see the situation for themselves, hunting down pine martens, wild boars and (of course) beavers. In this talk they will reveal what they learned and how Britain's mammals can be saved from extinction.
Afternoon talk: This will be followed by a talk from Environmental scientist and ecohydrologist, Alan Puttock. Join him to hear all about his work with beaver populations, informing the debate about their reintroduction across the UK.
You will then have 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.
Evening talk: Young environmentalist Harvey first developed an interest in wildlife after holidays in Devon as a child. Now, just out of school, Harvey is the founder of Celtic Reptile & Amphibian, who breed animals for reintroduction into the wild. Hear him talk about his passion for rewilding and his amazing journey so far.
Evening talk: Join the experts from Coombeshead Farm as they reveal the steps you can make in your own garden to make it a haven for wildlife.
Enjoy dinner in the barn, then, after dark, a communal campfire will be lit for all to enjoy and discuss todays amazing talks and activities.
Please note: There will also be an opportunity for some guests to go beaver-watching in a hide at dawn and dusk, 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. For our 2023 event, the colony of beavers were visible and very active during our visits. Please note, an additional fee is applicable for this, as places are limited.
DAY 3: SPECIES BREEDING AND REINTRODUCTION THEN CLOSING COMMENTS
Enjoy the final couple of talks this morning.
Morning talk: Benedict Macdonald is the Wainwright award-winning author of 'Rebirding' and 'Cornerstones' and a respected spokesperson for ecological restoration across the UK. Hear about his work, including the founding of 'Restore', the UK's specialist nature restoration business.
Morning talk: Pete Cooper is an ecologist with Restore who previously worked in species reintroduction for the Derek Gow Consultancy. His specialist interests lie in mammals and glow-worms, the latter of which he is currently overseeing a Yorkshire-based breeding and reintroduction project. His talk title is Lessons in reintroduction from starting small. Exploring the early experiences for a young conservationist running release programmes for Harvest Mice and a novel breeding project for Glow-worms. It will explore the different challenges compared to what is typical for schemes with larger species, and what opportunities lie in the future for bringing back the small things that make the world go round.
This will be followed by a second talk, then closing comments from your host, Graham.
After lunch, there will be a some optional activities across the site, plus there is a self-guided walk across 100 hectares of the site that has been more recently acquired. Some of the site has been going through the rewilding process for over five years, while 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.
While there are no further activities planned, you are welcome to stay another night for free in the camping field or if you have booked the Shepherds Huts.
The main event is over three days, but you can choose to arrive a day earlier as there is so much to explore in this part of Devon.
QUESTIONS
Full event notes will be issued a few weeks before the event, but feel free to drop us a line at tours@newscientist.com with your questions.
