Cheshire Rewilding Project | Sustainable Tourism & Habitat Restoration

Our Story

The Cheshire Rewilding Project started with a simple idea: what if tourism could actually heal land instead of wearing it out?

We're Callum and Christie Lawrence - co-founders with a Wildlife Biology degree, five years of hospitality management, and a shared stubbornness about doing things properly. Callum handles the ecology and builds; Christie handles the people and operations. Our combined experiences offer the exact ingredients a project of this calibre requires.

6 bespoke campervans later - between us, we built a guest lodge from scratch. Not outsourced, not project-managed from a laptop - actually built it, with our own hands. Three years and nearly 400 reviews later, it sits at a 4.88-star rating, and it taught us something we couldn't have learned any other way: people are genuinely hungry for places that feel real, rooted in nature, and run by people who care.

That lodge was always the proof of concept, not the destination. With Cheshire Wildlife Trust now onboard as a partner, we're ready for the next step - acquiring land where we can pair immersive, nature-rich guest experiences with serious habitat restoration. Native woodland, wildflower meadows, wetland - the kind of landscape Cheshire used to have and desperately needs back.

Our Vision

We're planning to create a transformative destination where guests experience nature while directly funding habitat restoration. Within 20 minutes of Chester Zoo, we're envisioning a regenerative tourism hub that proves business and conservation can thrive together.

Habitat Restoration

We aim to plant native woodland and create 2 hectares of wildflower meadow per 15-acre site - restoring biodiversity far beyond the minimum 10% net gain required by law.

Sustainable Lodging

Up to 5 tiny homes on wheels and 10 seasonal bell tents, all designed for minimal environmental impact.

Natural Amenities

Wood-fired saunas, a natural swimming pool, outdoor cinema spaces, and immersive nature experiences.

Off-Grid Living

When complete, the entire site will be 100% self-sufficient without a single drop of concrete being poured. From solar to incinerating toilets, we've got everything covered!

Location

We're exploring 15 to 20 acres within easy reach of Chester Zoo.

Community Impact

We plan to create 7,500+ free wellness sessions, partner with schools, and support mental health charities.

Planned Accommodation

Every guest will stay in thoughtfully designed spaces and participate in habitat restoration. Our vision includes:

Basic Tiny Home

£70–£115 / night

Compact, comfortable accommodation on wheels. Includes heating, cosy interior, and outdoor space.

Unlimited Sauna Tree Planting

Mid-Range Tiny Home

£90–£165 / night

Enhanced comfort with premium furnishings, improved insulation, and private garden space.

Unlimited Sauna Tree Planting

Concept Image Coming Soon

Premium Tiny Home

£120–£215 / night

Luxury eco-living with premium materials, extended space, and exclusive amenities.

Unlimited Sauna Tree Planting

Seasonal Bell Tents

April–September | £50–£80 / night

Up to 10 glamorous bell tents on raised wooden platforms, perfect for immersive nature experiences during the warmer months.

Unlimited Sauna Tree Planting

Every guest plants a native tree. Every stay funds habitat restoration.

Built by Hand, Designed with Soul

From bespoke campervans to guest accommodation - every project reflects Callum's hands-on approach to quality, sustainability, and detail.

Proven Craftsmanship

It all started with an old ambulance, a set of tools, and a vague vision of becoming a grizzled mountain man - detached from the grid and free to explore nature at whim. Six bespoke campervan conversions later, Callum turned that same energy toward something bigger and far less mobile - a handbuilt guest lodge that could be admired daily by guests and family alike.

What was never meant to be a hospitality venture became one of the most consistently booked properties in the area. Three years on, that guest lodge sustains 83% occupancy and holds a 4.88 out of 5 star rating - built entirely by hand, fuelled by millennial excessive energy and determination, and loved by every guest who's walked through the door. It proved something important: that people want authentic, soulful places to stay, and they come back time and again when they find one.

Now the goal is to take everything learned from campervans and guest accommodation and marry the two into something new - a fleet of fully self-sufficient tiny homes, impermanent on the landscape, each hosting four to six guests in comfort. No concrete, no foundations, no permanent footprint. Just handbuilt spaces designed to sit lightly on the land while giving people an experience they won't forget.

6 bespoke campervan conversions completed
Handbuilt guest lodge with 4.88/5 star rating
83% occupancy sustained over 3 years
Experienced in off-grid solar and Victron power systems
Every build uses sustainable materials wherever possible
Developing a hybrid tiny home model - fully self-sufficient, impermanent, 4-6 guests per unit

See For Yourself

From handbuilt interiors to the vision for the rewilding site - a glimpse of what we're building.

Planned Experiences

We're designing immersive, transformative activities that connect guests with nature and fund restoration:

Wood-Fired Saunas

Unlimited access to traditional wood-fired saunas -included with every stay. Wellness meets sustainability.

Tree Planting

Every guest plants a native tree. Over 15 years, we aim to plant 10,000-15,000 trees.

Natural Swimming Pool

Fresh water, chemical-free, bacteria-free wild swimming in nature - our natural swimming pool will be open to the public year-round, completely free of charge.

Outdoor Cinema

Weekly screenings under the stars with up to 40 tickets per showing. From nature documentaries and conservation films to family favourites - blankets, beanbags, and popcorn provided.

Foraging Walks

Guided walks to discover edible plants, mushrooms, and the bounty of our wildflower meadows.

Wildlife Tours

Learn about habitat restoration from experts. Spot birds, insects, and native species thriving in restored habitats.

Apiary Visits

Meet our bees and learn about pollination, habitat, and the role of pollinators in restoration.

Wellness Retreats

Yoga, meditation, and nature-based mindfulness sessions in our planned wellness spaces.

Community & Social Impact

We believe rewilding is a community endeavour. Our vision includes meaningful ways for locals and supporters to engage:

Free Wednesday Sauna Sessions - Local community members enjoy complimentary sauna access every Wednesday. This is a permanent commitment for the lifetime of the project.
Pay-What-You-Feel Sundays - Affordable wellness access every Sunday, with proceeds funding habitat restoration. This will run for the lifetime of the project.
Free Natural Swimming Pool - Our natural swimming pool will be open year-round to the public, completely free of charge, for the lifetime of the project.
School Partnerships - Educational programmes connecting young people with nature and conservation.
Volunteer Opportunities - Help with tree planting, meadow creation, and ongoing habitat work.
Mental Health Partnerships - Collaborations with mental health charities, offering nature-based wellness support.
Community Gardens & Food Orchards - We're planning open-access community growing spaces and food orchards on site. Locals will be welcome to visit, pick fruit, grow food, and enjoy the space freely. The details are still taking shape, but the commitment is simple: this land will feed the community, not just attract tourists.

We're aiming to provide 7,500+ free wellness sessions over the lifetime of the project, democratising access to nature and wellbeing.

Be Part of It

You don't need to book a stay to help rewild Cheshire. Every donation goes directly into a real, visible project on the ground. No admin fees, no middlemen. Just trees in the soil, wildflowers in the meadow, and a community space that belongs to everyone.

£5

Aquatic Plants

Help fill the natural swimming pool with native aquatic plants - oxygenators, water lilies, and marginal species that keep the water clean and wildlife thriving.

Name on the Supporters Wall

£10

Plant a Native Tree

Your tree joins a growing native woodland. Oak, birch, hazel, rowan - species chosen to support local wildlife for generations.

Supporters Wall + digital certificate with your tree's GPS coordinates

£25

Wildflower Meadow

Fund wildflower seed for our meadows - feeding pollinators and restoring biodiversity across the site.

All above + invitation to a seasonal wildflower walk

£50

Community Wellness Session

Cover the cost of a free sauna or wild swimming session for someone who wouldn't otherwise have access.

All above + free sauna day pass when the site opens

£100

Footpaths & Infrastructure

Help us lay accessible footpaths, boardwalks, and signage so everyone can explore the site safely.

All above + 5 free sauna passes

£250

Sponsor a Sauna Build Day

Contribute toward materials and construction of our wood-fired community saunas.

All above + Lifetime Free Sauna Access

£500

Swimming Pool Fund

Make a major contribution toward the natural swimming pool - free to the public for the lifetime of the project.

All above + "Founding Supporter" plaque at the pool + free night in a tiny home

£1,000

Sponsor a Tiny Home Build

Help fund the construction of our self-sufficient tiny homes - handbuilt, off-grid, and designed to sit lightly on the land.

All above + 2 free nights per year in a tiny home for life + "Founding Builder" recognition

Donate Now

Custom amounts also welcome - every contribution counts.

Where Your Money Goes

Track the progress of each project in real time. Every penny goes directly into the ground.

Native Woodland (2.4 hectares)

£0 of £5,000 raised

Wildflower Meadows (2 Hectares)

£0 of £1,500 raised

Natural Swimming Pool

£0 of £12,500 raised

Footpaths & Access

£0 of £3,000 raised

Community Saunas

£0 of £5,000 raised

Aquatic Plants

£0 of £400 raised

Tiny Home Builds

£0 of £15,000 raised

We Match Every Pound - 50/50

Every donation target listed above represents half the total project cost. We commit to funding the other half ourselves. When you donate, we match it pound for pound - so your contribution goes twice as far.

The Cheshire Rewilding Project is a registered Community Interest Company (CIC). Every penny is reinvested into habitat restoration and community benefit. We publish regular updates showing exactly where donations have been spent.

Camper Van Raffle

Help fund rewilding while winning incredible prizes. We're raising vital capital through an exciting raffle.

Prize: Fully equipped bespoke camper van ready for adventure

Ticket Price: £7 per entry

Coming Soon

All raffle proceeds go directly toward funding the Cheshire Rewilding Project - from building our first tiny home to sauna construction, land acquisition, and ecological restoration.

Our Mission & Impact

By 2040, we're aiming to create a thriving ecosystem that combines conservation with community wellbeing. Here's what we're planning to achieve:

10–15K

Native trees planted over 15 years

8–12+

Hectares of wildflower meadow

60–100

Acres of land to be acquired & restored

7,500+

Free wellness sessions provided

Registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC)

Profits are reinvested into habitat restoration and community benefit. We're not here to extract -we're here to restore and give back.

News & Press

We're generating interest from local media, press, and conservation networks. Here's what's coming:

Local Newspaper

Cheshire Rewilding Takes Shape

Coming soon: Feature on how a local wildlife biologist is combining tourism with habitat restoration.

Sustainability Magazine

Regenerative Tourism Case Study

Coming soon: Deep dive into how sustainable tourism can fund large-scale habitat restoration.

More press coverage being confirmed. Check back soon or sign up to our newsletter to stay updated.

Partner With Us

We're actively seeking landowners and partners who share our vision for habitat restoration through sustainable tourism. Whether you own land, manage estates, or represent a conservation body, partnering with The Cheshire Rewilding Project offers a unique opportunity to generate income while restoring biodiversity.

Why Partner With Us?

We offer a proven model where your land generates guaranteed rental income while undergoing professionally managed ecological restoration. Unlike grant-dependent conservation projects, our model is entirely self-funding - sustainable tourism finances the habitat creation, tree planting, and ongoing ecological management. You bear no construction costs, no operational liability, and no financial risk.

Zero Capital Risk

All construction, operations, and maintenance costs are borne by us. Your land appreciates in ecological and financial value with no investment required from you.

Guaranteed Rental Income

Receive consistent rental payments while your land is transformed into a thriving ecosystem. Turn an underperforming asset into a revenue-generating conservation showcase.

Ecological Expertise

Our founder holds a BSc in Wildlife Biology and has direct experience in ecological survey, habitat management, and biodiversity monitoring. Your land benefits from professional stewardship.

Access to Ecological Funding

Through our network, we can provide advice and a direct line to ecological initiatives and funding opportunities - including grants, environmental stewardship schemes, and biodiversity net gain credits that could benefit your wider landholding.

Permanent Habitat Improvement

Even if the partnership ends, all ecological improvements remain. Native woodland, wildflower meadows, and ponds created during the partnership are permanent enhancements to your land's ecological and financial value.

Protected Interests

All structures are temporary and mobile - tiny homes on wheels, bell tents on platforms, wood-fired saunas on skids. If the partnership ends, we remove everything and leave your land in improved condition. No concrete, no permanent foundations, no lasting infrastructure footprint.

What We're Looking For

15–20 acres of land within 20 minutes of Chester
Ideally degraded agricultural land with restoration potential
Vehicular access for guests and construction
Landowners open to long-term lease arrangements
Partners who value conservation alongside income

What You'll Receive

Guaranteed rental income from day one
Quarterly environmental monitoring reports
Quarterly financial summaries
Professional ecological management of your land
Access to our ecological network and funding advice
Enhanced land value through habitat restoration
Positive PR and community goodwill

Interested in Partnering?

We'd love to hear from you. Whether you have a specific site in mind or simply want to explore what a partnership could look like, get in touch for a confidential, no-obligation conversation.

Get In Touch