Land Work
= Soul Work
We are a regenerative land project on Dartmoor - restoring 46 acres of neglected ancient woodland and pasture, cultivating ecological resilience, and nurturing embodied connection between people and place.
Connecting People & Ecology
Celebrating woodland culture, rural skills & sustainable livelihoods - we believe that practical competence in land stewardship deepens wellbeing, belonging, and purpose.
You are invited to get involved in caring for the land here at The Hillyfield.
Silver Award in the Royal Forestry Society 'Excellence in Forestry Awards' 2018.
'Dartmoor Society Award 2019'
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Woodland Restoration
At The Hillyfield, we have successfully replaced a Plantation on Ancient Woodland Site with a mixed broadleaf woodland, planted new areas of woodland, dealt with disease in the trees, made new rides through and access to the woods, and improved connectivity through planting hedgerows and managing edges.
Hundreds of people have got involved, cut their teeth in the forestry and wood-craft here, and some are now running their own projects. There are loads of ways you can get involved.
Regenerative Land Management
The Hillyfield is roughly half pasture, half woodland and when we first found the land the grass was rank and un-grazed.
We now support wild-flower and pollinator communities through careful stewardship and nature-friendly grazing of cattle and sheep.
We grow our own veg, have planted an orchard with traditional varieties of apple, a willow osier for basketry, and an edible forest garden. We also look after pigs, chickens, and bees – each who in turn help the land.
Tree to Timber
From tree to timber, The Hillyfield has grown from the roots up. Nearly everything you see built here has been grown, felled, milled, crafted and made by hand.
There’s nothing like using timber you knew as a tree. The whole process is so rewarding… the wood, much more beautiful than wood from a shop. Characterful. Meaningful. Connected.
We love to try our hand at making most things from wood and also run an LT40 mobile sawmill. We sell firewood, charcoal, and willow products locally. Let us know if we can help.
Community, Ceremony, Celebration
We share the magic of The Hillyfield through learning opportunities, open days, private hire, and a whole variety of events. Whether round the fire or ringing through the land, from the early days, The Hillyfield has been full of songs and stories, friends helping out, and dreams being born.
Hillyfield should be held up as a first class case study for other owners and managers of small scale woodland as to how to restore neglected woodland responsibly and sustainably, balance ecological and financial objectives and support the local community and economy.
Simon Lloyd
Chief Executive
The Royal Forestry Society
If we want to bring our rural communities back to life, one of the key parts to that is that we have diverse working woodlands, that bring people into the woods again learning new skills, creating new economies, which is what they’ve been modelling so beautifully at The Hillyfield.
Rob Hopkins
Transition Network Founder
Services
Products
Impact
Measuring Success Through Our Achievements
11 ha
Woodland Restored
Bringing neglected ancient and semi-natural woodland into active management since 2009.
14k
Trees Planted
6.4 acres of new native woodland established and 558m of hedgerows planted.
8ha
Farmed for nature
Sheep, cattle, and pigs are managed under Countryside Stewardship, high-welfare, low-impact systems to restore pasture, improve soils & create species-rich wildflower habitats.
300t
CO₂ stored (15 yrs)
New tree planting contributes to long-term carbon storage and climate resilience. We have also invested in solar.
90K+
Volunteer Hours (15yrs)
Skills & training supported through regular volunteer days and residential traineeships all engaging people in land-based skills.
6,700+
Visitors over 15yrs
Woodland management, biodiversity, sustainable land use, and the enjoyment of Dartmoor offer great opportunities for community engagement.
1.95ha
new habitat created
Creating wildlife corridors and new woodland to connect fragmented habitats across this 18 hectare valley.
Partners & Funders
Get Involved
There are lots of ways to Get Involved here at The Hillyfield, not just by buying our timber or produce!
Hands-On Land Management.
We've hosted over 260 residential volunteer trainees since 2010. Do you fancy a day in the woods? Or a year?
Share Skills
Do you have something you want to offer? We welcome collaboration.
Financial Support.
Could you help support a particular project here at The Hillyfield. Maybe opportunities for those less fortunate, ecological restoration, building... it all costs a lot & every penny helps.
Membership
You could join the sauna club or become a 'Friend of The Hillyfield'.
and who knows? Maybe one day rest your bones here on the hill & keep the flowers growing.