Overview

A tale of restoration and homecoming- Wainwright Prize-winner James Aldred shares his deep passion for the New Forest after acquiring a plot of land, and a disused Gypsy vardo begging to be restored, in this ancient landscape he's been enchanted by since childhood. Imagine your dreams coming true- you acquire a gypsy wagon you've cherished from childhood and a plot of land in the enchanting New Forest. But the wagon is in disrepair, and your new neighbours are frosty and watchful. Join James Aldred on a captivating journey, encountering master craftsmen, British wildlife, and a deep passion for a remarkable landscape. There are some moments in childhood that are frozen in time, vivid and vital, an anchor. When James Aldred tracked down an old Gypsy vardo, a traveler's wagon he once played in, he found himself inside one such moment again. Though brambles had overtaken its rotted boards and its wheels were barely there, it transported him to a magical summer in the New Forest forty years ago. Newly determined to make the forest his home, and to restore the wagon to its former glory, he embarked on a remarkable journey. In his evocative memoir, Aldred chronicles his return to a cherished childhood landscape, rich with the history of the Romany Gypsies who once roamed freely there. As he painstakingly restores the wagon, Aldred delves into both the New Forest's natural history and storied past, tracing its roots back to the 16th century and even further to the time of William the Conqueror. Camera traps reveal otters hunting in the brook, while the nearby goshawk nest and fox earth speak to the area's thriving wildlife. Seasonal wonders abound, from the autumn rut of wild fallow deer to the diverse array of British reptiles and rare birds. Hucklebrook is more than a tale of restoration; it is a heartfelt homecoming after decades of exploration. Through the eyes of his family, Aldred rediscovers the New Forest, finding it more fascinating and beautiful than he ever imagined. Masterfully observed, it is a celebration of both people and place, and the timeless bond between land, history and the enduring spirit of adventure.

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9781529935141

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Reviews

A riveting account of a years-long quest to reconnect with a much-loved place in nature through sheer effort and determination; an epic of mud and wood and water. -- Neil Ansell, author of The Circling Sky An epic adventure on an intimate scale. Aldred's warm and vivid descriptions of family, fellowship, craft and most of all a lifelong love of nature evoke Roger Deakin. Enchanting. -- Callum Robinson, author of Ingrained A contemporary ‘Walden’ -- Sarah Langford, author of Rooted Aldred is a wildlife cameraman who spends his life on the road. This is his ode to home. A beautiful, humble, honest book , it reminds us to look into the undergrowth to find the wonder, to slow down and notice more. The perfect tonic for our chaotic times. -- Sophy Roberts, author of Lost Pianos of Siberia Aldred has travelled the world driven by his love for trees. But the forest he loves most is here at home - the New Forest. This wonderful book takes us all into the depth of his special place - reminding us that we all need our own special wild place. -- Alastair Fothergill, producer of The Blue Planet, Planet Earth, and Frozen Planet

An epic adventure on an intimate scale. Aldred's warm and vivid descriptions of family, fellowship, craft and most of all a lifelong love of nature evoke Roger Deakin. Enchanting. -- Callum Robinson, author of Ingrained

Author Information

James Aldred grew up on the edge of the New Forest and spent his teenage years exploring it. By fifteen he was building forest shelters, sleeping rough in the woods and spending much of his time up in the branches of trees. These days, he works in the treetops as an Emmy award-winning wildlife cameraman working regularly with National Geographic and the BBC, collaborating on many landmark natural history programmes with David Attenborough. He is also the author of The Man Who Climbs Trees and Goshawk Summer, for which he won the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2022. He lives with his family near Bristol and enjoys returning to the Forest to share it with his wife and sons whenever he can.

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