Woodland Trust: Forgotten Forests Garden

The garden

Visitors will journey through the transformation of a damaged ancient woodland, from a dark, uniform conifer forest into a vibrant, thriving habitat bursting with life, colour and beauty. Along the way, they’ll discover how the Trust carefully opens up these landscapes, letting in the light that awakens the dormant seed bank beneath the soil, allowing ancient species to flourish once more.

The design features a striking transition zone where regimented conifers gradually give way to a more diverse, naturally regenerating woodland. This evolving landscape highlights that restoration is a process, not an instant result, a living story of renewal rather than a finished forest. In essence, the garden tells a powerful story of stewardship and hope: how, with care and patience, ancient woodlands can re-emerge from plantation sites and reclaim their rightful place in the natural world.

Key plants

Ancient woodland indicator species will form the backbone of the planting – a neutral green tapestry with woodland diversity, lifted by touches of colour from species such as red campion and dog rose.

• Viburnum opulus (guelder rose) is formally recognised as an ancient woodland indicator in Britain, and conservation bodies highlight it as a sign you’re standing in a rare, long-established habitat. It embodies the wet woodland edge and hedgerow link. It naturally favours damp, winter-wet soils on the edges of woodland, in scrub, fen carr and well-established hedgerows.

• Acer campestre (field maple): a medium-sized deciduous tree celebrated for its five-lobed leaves and gentle autumn colour. Adaptable and resilient, it performs well in a wide range of soils and offers an elegant, understated structure in planting schemes throughout the year.

• Silene dioica (red campion): a vibrant ancient woodland indicator that flowers for months, adding pink colour and soft texture. Thrives in regenerating woodland edges, showing how quickly nature rebounds when given space to recover

• Osmunda regalis (royal fern): Britain’s largest native fern, with fronds over 1m tall – bold and dramatic. A “living fossil” linking today’s woodlands to prehistoric landscapes. Thrives in wet habitats, adding scale and richness to restored woodland

• Paris quadrifolia (herb Paris): a rare and reliable indicator of ancient, undisturbed woodland. Its striking form, four leaves arranged in a cross topped with a single flower, stands out among the more subtle woodland ground flora, giving it a strong visual impact.

Plants supplier: Hortus Loci, Moss Clerks, Hillier Nurseries and Botanica Plant Nursery

Sustainability notes

All stone walls will be dry-laid so they can be dismantled and reused elsewhere. Locally sourced and reclaimed stone will be prioritised to reduce transport impact. Seating is made from Douglas fir timber felled during plantation thinning, to show how timber from felled plantations can still be used in a purposeful and sustainable way. Over 85% of the garden is soft landscaping, moving the focus towards plant-led designs.

The designer – Ashleigh Aylett

Ashleigh began her horticultural career in 2022, training under renowned designers Emily Erlam and John Davies before launching her own studio in 2025. In just three years, she has achieved remarkable success: at RHS Tatton 2024, Ashleigh won a Gold medal, Best Construction and was named Young Designer of the Year, the first woman to receive the title since 2017. The following year at RHS Chelsea, she secured a Gold medal and Best Balcony and Container Garden. Ashleigh is proud to be the first designer to win RHS Young Designer of the Year and then achieve a best-in-category victory at Chelsea the very next year.

About the charity – The Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK with more than 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a world where woods and trees thrive for people and nature. Established in 1972, the Trust now has over 1,000 woodlands in its care, covering more than 30,000 hectares. Access to the Trust’s woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.

The Woodland Trust is calling for greater legal protection and a national rescue plan to restore these vital habitats - for nature, climate and future generations. With expert care and long-term commitment, Forgotten Forests can be brought back to life and continue to thrive. This will only be possible if governments act decisively and provide the support needed for restoration. By taking part in Woodland Trust's campaign you can help ensure these ancient woodlands are protected and restored for generations to come.

Garden legacy

The garden will be relocated to Hawthorn Primary School in Newcastle upon Tyne. The school, which has achieved a Platinum Green Tree Schools Award, is situated in an area with low tree equity. The Green Tree Schools Award programme connects pupils with nature, helping to inspire the next generation about trees, woods, and wildlife. The garden will strengthen pupils’ understanding of the natural environment while also increasing access to trees in a neighbourhood where canopy cover is limited.