Ancient : Reviving the Woods that Made Britain

"Passionate, knowledgeable and immersive" Tristan Gooley, author of How to Read a Tree

"A timely guide to our irreplaceable ancient woodlands" Paul Wood, author of Tree Hunting

"A wise and heartfelt love song to our woodlands" Lee Schofield, author of Wild Fell

Step into the woods, and discover the trees that made Britain

Ancient woods are Britain's richest habitats: rare fragments of our landscape that teem with life from soil to canopy. They live in our collective imagination as quiet places, best left pristine and untouched. But their story has always been one of interdependence with people.

Now, as ever, these woods - including remnants of the primeval "wildwood" - need the thoughtful intervention of humans to survive.

With the benefit of over twenty years' experience rehabilitating ancient woodland - from the Lakes to the Peak District, by way of suburban London's hidden gems - Luke Barley brings us deep into this hidden world to reveal majestic oaks, freshly coppiced hazels, endangered limes, and the passionate individuals tending them for future generations.

As modern woodlanders judiciously cut and fell, the flood of fresh light brings new life and hope to these irreplaceable natural jewels.

With clear-sighted passion and lyrical prose, Barley reveals what we stand to gain, as individuals and as a society, by rekindling our ancient connection with these special places.