Inaugural Creative Countryside Day sees visitors of all ages engaging with nature

The first Creative Countryside Day, held at Tilefield Nature near Brockenhurst on Saturday 22 August 2026, brought together art, nature and outdoor activities.

Visitors of all ages were encouraged to explore the countryside in creative ways. The event was created in partnership between Tilefield Nature CIC and CPRE Hampshire.

Around 120 people visited on the day, taking part in artist-led workshops, as well as a range of drop-in activities.

Parents, grandparents and children were among those taking part, with the event helping make the countryside accessible across generations.

Visitors got hands-on with a range of creative activities, including wild weaving with natural materials, making clay tiles inspired by the plants and animals spotted in the surrounding fields, and printing with gathered leaves. The very popular drop-in nature journalling offered visitors the chance to slow down and capture what they saw around them. Those taking part in the foraging workshops explored the Tilefield site in search of edible plants and discovered how they could be used at home.

Across all the activities, participants were encouraged to take their time, explore their creativity and engage with the natural environment around them.

“I had an amazing time at Creative Countryside Day. I dragged my teens along and they were the last to leave! … The day was just delightful – so relaxed and inclusive that you felt really able to enjoy the crafts.”
– Event participant

“Creative Countryside Day was a wonderful event bringing together local nature and art … The event was well-organised, welcoming and inspiring. Small workshops meant the pace and instruction were adaptable for the age ranges and capabilities.”
– Event participant

“Really enjoyed today. There should be more like this, spreading the knowledge about how to forage for food etc. It’s a skill that’s highly important and needs to be encouraged.”
– Event participant

A new hedge takes root

Creative Countryside Day was also the perfect opportunity for a grand opening ceremony for a new 400m hedge at Tilefield Nature. Alison Talbot, Operations Manager at CPRE Hampshire, opened it and Amanda Barton, Owner of Tilefield Nature, put a beautiful new plaque into the ground.

The hedge was planted in February, thanks to support CPRE Hampshire, as part of our hedgerows project. Tilefield Nature was keen to plant the hedge to reinstate a hedgerow that was seen on a map from the 1850s, increase connectivity between three local Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), and provide cover for wildlife on site. Thanks to careful watering and mulching, it continues to grow well despite the dry summer.

Creative Countryside Day was made possible thanks to a grant from the National Lottery Community Fund and the CPRE Centenary Fund, which allows local branches to put on events to celebrate 100 years of CPRE. Tilefield Nature was also supported by a National Lottery Community Fund grant, which aims to give communities greater access to nature. This funding allowed free entry to be offered for under-14’s, helping young people to access and enjoy nature.