Tucked away in the rolling landscapes of the Lincolnshire Wolds, Shepherds Retreat at Rookery Holt is a place where nature and wildlife flourish. Spanning thirteen acres, the land is a rich patchwork of woodland, meadows and open parkland. 

More than 1,200 native British trees and hedgerows have been planted, creating shelter, food sources, and safe habitats for a wide variety of species.

Shepherds Retreat is alive with activity throughout the year. Badgers dig into the banks, while roe deer, muntjac, foxes, and hares creep through the meadows and woodland edges. 

Chalk streams and natural springs create wetland environments that support frogs, newts, dragonflies, and water boatmen. In the Holt, a denser area of elm, ash, and chestnut, you’ll find squirrels, voles, rabbits, and ground-nesting birds such as pheasants and partridge. 

High above, owls call into the night, buzzards circle on warm currents, and rooks gather in their lofty perches.

Spring awakens the land with the explosion of blossom from the blackthorn and hawthorn hedgerows, producing the sweetest of smells on dewy mornings. Wild cherry trees follow with the first flush of colour after the winter rest, while birds build nests and the meadows stir with new life. Crickets and caterpillars nestle in the longer grass and hedgerow areas, resulting in an ever-growing variety of butterflies.

Summer brings long golden days where the two-acre wildflower meadow buzzes with bees and butterflies feeding on clover, daisies, poppies, viper’s bugloss, birds' foot trefoil and lupins. Dragonflies dance over the streams, and evenings are filled with the gentle chorus of owls and crickets.  

Autumn offers spectacular views of the changing season with the woodland moving from vibrant green to rich colours of amber and copper before the leaves turn brown and flutter to the ground, creating a cosy bed for wildlife to nestle into. 

Winter is crisp and quiet, with fabulous frosts. Deer tracks line the meadows, and the night air carries the haunting calls of owls. By day, the stark beauty of bare trees reveals new perspectives of the land.