Hawkwood grounds & gardens are open to the public year-round. Our sustainably managed land includes an ancient woodland, gardens and a natural spring. They provide a perfectly calm environment for rest, learning and connecting with nature.
Grounds & Gardens
Generously Supported By:
The European Agricultural Fund
We are proud to announce that Hawkwood has been supported by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and DEFRA to fund the project: Improving Our Visitor Offer: A Place to Explore.
We will be creating a visitor exploration hub & community cafe, alongside converting a storeroom into a new open studio and gallery space. Thanks to this generous support, we have been able to expand our visitor car park and resurface several approaching / connecting slopes.
Outdoor Classroom
We are delighted to offer the Outdoor Classroom as an educational facility for the local community—a space to grow, create, and explore! Initiated by a youth project, the Outdoor Classroom features a fire pit, herb beds, an outdoor kitchen, pizza oven and a compost toilet.
Please note: The Outdoor Classroom is not available for hire after dusk or before dawn.
- Half-Day Hire: 09:00-12:30 or 12:30-16:00 - £90
- Full-Day Hire: 09:00-16:00 - £155
For booking details, please visit our Outdoor Classroom page.
Gatehouse Lodge
Our beautifully refurbished Gatehouse Lodge is available for hire. This Grade II listed space blends antique charm with modern comfort, offering a perfect escape. The self-contained Lodge includes an option for meals from our exceptional chefs, providing wholesome, organic, and sustainably sourced nourishment.
The accommodation features two bedrooms, a living room with a wood-burning stove, a well-appointed kitchen, a bathroom, and a private, sizeable back garden.
Cost: £700 per week
Minimum stay: 3 days
Maximum stay: 1 month
Click below for enquiries and bookings.
Walled Garden & Orchard
Nestled behind the main house, our charming half-walled kitchen garden and orchard offer a bounty of apples for cooking and juicing, as well as a variety of soft fruits, herbs, vegetables, and flowers. All produce at Hawkwood is lovingly grown following biodynamic principles by our dedicated head gardener, Bernard Jarman, and a team of enthusiastic volunteers.
Woodland Sanctuary
If you keep walking along from the walled garden you will come across our Woodland Sanctuary nestled among the trees. This small building was created to support quiet contemplation and silence in our busy world. It is kept warm throughout the year and anyone is welcome to make use of the space.
The Woodland Sanctuary is the culmination of an 8 year-long project originally conceived by Lawrence Hart and Girish Patel. Their aim was to create a place of silent contemplation for use by Hawkwood, its guests and the wider community: a place of refuge and inner stillness.
Stroud Community Agriculture
Arriving at Hawkwood you are greeted with a working farmland scene, with fields of cows, sheep or pigs, vegetable beds, polytunnels for salad crops , herbs and flowers. These 22 acres (9 hectares) are managed by Stroud Community Agriculture, a community supported agriculture scheme which feeds 100 member families with fresh, organic produce throughout the year. The land and animals are farmed according to biodynamic principles, which are proven to increase yields and improve flavour, which you may notice if you try any of the delicious food from our kitchen. Monthly farm days involve local families in shared tasks such as haymaking, planting out seedlings and applying biodynamic preparation to the land.
Ponds & Wetlands
Hawkwood's award-winning ecological water treatment system of ponds and wetlands manages all our household waste, including bathroom, laundry, and catering without the need for a septic tank or main drains. The waste is channelled through a system of five ponds, four of which have water features in the form of ‘flowforms’ that cleanse the water. After cleansing, the fluid is absorbed into a designated area planted with willows, which are harvested for basket-making.
Natural Spring & Giant Sycamore
At Hawkwood, we are fortunate to have a natural spring in our garden, known for its fresh water, which guests are welcome to try. This spring is a favourite among locals who come to collect it. Overlooking the spring is a magnificent sycamore tree, estimated to be around 250 years old. Nearby, you’ll find a ground-level labyrinth maze and a sunny seating area, perfect for quiet reflection and relaxation.
Established Gardens & Valley Views
Surrounding the house and converted stables are about 10 acres (4 hectares) of beautifully maintained gardens. Featuring large trees, vibrant flower borders, a rockery, and a water feature, the gardens offer a stunning setting to explore, complete with far-reaching views over the Severn Vale.
Woodland & Nature Trails
Ten acres (4 hectares) of beautiful mixed woodland form a protective border around the east and north sides of the Hawkwood estate. This woodland is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including ancient beech, ash, hazel, and larch trees. Managed by the local Woodfuel Group in exchange for firewood, the woodland thrives under careful stewardship.
The public often visit to walk their dogs, and our guests are welcome to enjoy the woods daily. Please keep dogs on leads within the gardens and remember to pick up after them.
Biodiversity
As dusk falls, keep an eye out for the protected Horseshoe bats that roost in the outbuildings and various parts of the estate. While many bat species inhabit the area, they have yet to be fully surveyed. One of our visitors recorded sightings of 21 bird species, including a hawk, several goldcrests (the UK's smallest bird), a couple of nuthatches, and a pair of ravens.