HOOKE Farm, near Beaminster (DT8 3NZ), will be hosting a rewilding weekend as part of the National Garden Scheme, June 17-18.

Home to environmentalist Julia Hailes MBE and her husband Jamie Macdonald, the farm has been transformed into a wildlife haven with bird boxes, bat caves and bee-friendly wildflower meadows.

The landscaping project includes a series of ponds in a wetland area, orchard trees and woodland planting all interlinked with mown paths. There are standing stones, a stilted henhouse, a giant throne, and driftwood stags.

Over the course of the weekend visitors can enjoy stalls, talks and tours from conservation groups including the Dorset Wildlife Trust, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, the Great Big Dorset Hedge, Dorset Mammal Group and the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust.

Locally-sourced lunch, cream teas, ice-creams and refreshments will be available.

There will also be a moth and bat tour on the evening of Saturday, June 17, from 9pm, with food and talks.

Tickets for the bat and moth tour, including food and half-price tickets to the wilding weekend, are £20 per head. See www.juliahailes.com for further details.
The farm will be open from 10.30am to 5.30pm. Tickets cost £8 for adults and £4 for children. All ticket proceeds are donated to the charities nominated by the National Garden Scheme.

Any further profits are donated to Operation Future Hope, for their work wilding schools and running courses for school children.

Call 07940 715327 to check times or cancellations.