I grew up in the city. I was Born in York and lived in North London until I married and moved to Hampshire and later to Wiltshire. Even when I was young I loved the natural world and spent as much time in the open air as possible. We were lucky to live fairly near… Continue reading Moth surveys with Dave
Author: Lauren Kearse
The Hazel Hill Butterfly Transect
It’s high summer, and the hot sun beats down from a cloudless blue sky as I walk through the flower-filled meadow, with butterflies swirling all around me. Some alight on the nearby Knapweed flowers to feed, so I have a brief chance to get a better look at them. There’s Meadow Browns mostly, plus Marbled… Continue reading The Hazel Hill Butterfly Transect
Autumn Conservation Weekend 2025
10th – 12th October 2025 *Ticket sales end Sun 5th Oct* Enjoy conservation, conversation and connection Join us for a woodland workout that gives back to this beautiful ancient woodland environment. Restore and relax with us. Over two days and two nights at Hazel Hill you will get the chance to try your hand at a… Continue reading Autumn Conservation Weekend 2025
Young Carers Summer Activities
Thanks to the Hedley Foundation’s grant of £2000 we were able to run summer holiday activities for Eastleigh Young Carers in 2025. We ran one 2-night residential for 14 young people and one day visit for 16 young people. All were aged 10-16. What did we do? Positive impacts for the young people Case study… Continue reading Young Carers Summer Activities
The story of the Oak House
An introduction to one of our first buildings, and a letter to our guests, from our retired founder, Alan Heeks Dear guests, I have been deeply involved in the creation of all the buildings at Hazel Hill since I took on the stewardship of this wood in 1987. I thought you might like to know… Continue reading The story of the Oak House
Simon’s Story
We first moved to Farley in 1987 with our two children, who then attended the local primary school. I was working in Whiteparish at the time, so it was an easy commute of just under 7 miles each way. It was at about this time that Alan Heeks purchased Hazel Hill Wood but no one… Continue reading Simon’s Story
Discovering New Wildlife
Over the last 10 years we have identified many new species of wildlife that were previously unrecorded at Hazel Hill Wood. These exciting finds include Barbastelle Bat, Firecrest (a tiny bird), Southern Marsh Orchid and Hazel Dormouse. The most recent is a Green Tiger Beetle – according to the Wildlife Trusts “The green tiger beetle… Continue reading Discovering New Wildlife
Alan’s Story
“I became the steward of this land in 1987, and since 1993 I have felt guided to establish it as a nature sanctuary and retreat centre. I bought Hazel Hill Wood simply following my intuitive sense that I would like to own and care for an area of woodland near my home. In my main… Continue reading Alan’s Story
Eastleigh Young Carers
Eastleigh Young Carers Project provides support for any young person 8 -18 years old within the Eastleigh Borough whose life is significantly affected by caring for a family member in their home, who has an illness, disability, mental health or substance misuse problem. We aim to support them to access respite activities, develop coping mechanisms,… Continue reading Eastleigh Young Carers
Coaches Retreat
In May 2025 Hazel Hill hosted a retreat for executive coaches who are grappling with how to remain resilient and helpful in a turbulent world. For the third year, of what is now becoming a regular annual Hazel Hill event, the twelve coaches explored their own relationship with the climate crisis, the impact on their… Continue reading Coaches Retreat