A growing number of rewilding projects across Britain are reporting significant ecological improvements, prompting calls for greater recognition of the approach within national nature recovery strategies.

One of the projects highlighting those gains is Heal Somerset, a rewilding site in southwest England that has documented increases in wildlife populations and habitat diversity since restoration efforts began three years ago.According to Heal Rewilding, the charity behind the project, monitoring data show measurable changes in biodiversity across the site.

The number of small mammal species recorded has increased from three to five over the period, while a range of habitats has developed as former agricultural land has been allowed to recover.The project is supported by more than 250 volunteers who contribute to ecological surveys, removal of barbed-wire fencing and other restoration activities.

Community engagement forms a central part of the initiative, with the charity working alongside 15 underserved groups involved in managing and maintaining the site.Participants include people living with dementia, individuals with additional needs and those experiencing financial hardship.

Schools and youth organizations also take part in educational and conservation activities.The site has become an increasingly popular destination for visitors seeking access to natural landscapes undergoing ecological recovery.

Heal Rewilding founder Jan Stannard said many older visitors describe the experience as a reminder of landscapes that were once more common in Britain before decades of agricultural intensification.“An increasing number of people are coming either as visitors or camping and if they are older they are being transported back to a childhood experience of abundance that they will not get in the farmed countryside,” Stannard said.

She said visitors frequently report hearing insects and bird species that have become less common in many agricultural areas.“They are hearing grasshoppers and crickets in the day and birds such as linnet or greenfinch, which are much less common now,” she said.

The ecological transformation has also been evident to staff working on the project since its early stages.Dan Hill, a 25-year-old rewilding ranger who joined Heal Somerset three years ago, recalled arriving when large areas of the site were dominated by rye grass.“I remember seeing the monoculture of rye grass swaying in the wind and thinking, crikey, it’s desolate,” Hill said.He said the pace of ecological change had exceeded his expectations.

“Three years has flown by and so much has changed. It’s incredibly exciting. I’m learning so much,” he said.Hill described the project as evidence of the capacity of ecosystems to recover when human intervention is reduced and natural processes are allowed to re-establish themselves.“Seeing what nature wants to do – it’s very hopeful,” he said.

He added that public response has been an important part of the project’s success.“When you get people coming to the site and they say: ‘I just want to keep coming back, I’ve never seen a site like this before,’ it really puts a smile on your face,” Hill said.Among the features attracting attention are natural wetland systems created by beavers.

The rodents have become increasingly common across eastern Somerset and are widely viewed by conservationists as important ecosystem engineers because of their ability to create ponds and wetlands that benefit a range of species.Heal Rewilding said its latest report was motivated in part by what it viewed as limited coverage of rewilding initiatives in the 2023 UK-wide State of Nature report.

The charity argues that while rewilding has expanded rapidly across Britain, evidence documenting outcomes has not always been systematically collected or incorporated into broader assessments of biodiversity recovery.

“We were struck by how little attention was given to rewilding, despite the extraordinary growth of the movement,” Stannard said.“There are now hundreds of rewilding projects across Britain and many report seeing remarkable ecological changes.”She said the sector must increasingly rely on scientific monitoring and measurable outcomes if rewilding is to become a more prominent component of environmental policy.

“Stories alone are not enough,” Stannard said. “If rewilding is to be fully recognised within national nature recovery strategies, we need robust evidence of its impact.”

The report forms part of a broader effort by conservation groups to demonstrate how rewilding projects can contribute to biodiversity restoration while also delivering social and educational benefits through community participation and public access to recovering landscapes.

From wild camping on remote Scottish beaches to film-inspired weekends in northern England, travellers across Britain are increasingly seeking quieter destinations away from traditional tourist centres, according to a collection of reader recommendations published by the Guardian.

The suggestions reflect continued interest in domestic tourism focused on natural landscapes, cultural heritage and smaller towns offering alternatives to heavily visited cities and resort areas. Many of the featured destinations combine outdoor activities with links to television, film and literary history.

One recommendation focused on the cathedral city of Wells, described as a compact and walkable alternative to larger tourist destinations such as Bath. The city gained renewed visibility among film fans after serving as a principal filming location for the 2007 comedy-action film Hot Fuzz, starring Simon Pegg.

Visitors highlighted the city’s medieval architecture, including Wells Cathedral, known for its gothic design and one of Britain’s oldest working clocks dating to the late 14th century.

Nearby attractions include Bishop’s Palace and the surrounding Mendip region, which includes Cheddar Gorge and Wookey Hole Caves.In western Scotland, travellers recommended the remote Ardnamurchan Peninsula, which contains the westernmost point of mainland Britain at Corrachadh Mòr.

One visitor described wild camping near Sanna Bay, an area known for shell-sand beaches, machair grasslands and coastal wildlife.The region has become increasingly popular among outdoor travellers seeking low-cost and nature-focused experiences.

Visitors to the peninsula frequently travel to Ardnamurchan Lighthouse, where sightings of dolphins and seabirds are common during warmer months.Another recommendation centred on North Berwick, a coastal town east of Edinburgh that has benefited from rising demand for short domestic rail trips.

Travellers highlighted the area’s beaches, harbour and views across the Firth of Forth toward Bass Rock, a volcanic island known for one of the world’s largest northern gannet colonies.The nearby Scottish Seabird Centre has become a major attraction for wildlife tourism in the region, particularly during spring and summer migration periods.

In southwest England, readers recommended the village of Beer as a family-friendly destination offering coastal walks and rock-pooling activities. One traveller described staying at YHA Beer while exploring the Jurassic Coast with children.The nearby clifftop walking route connecting Beer and Seaton was highlighted for its coastal views.

Travellers also recommended Woozie’s Deli for picnic supplies and locally prepared food.Film and television tourism also featured prominently among the recommendations. One visitor described travelling to Hebden Bridge and surrounding areas connected to the BBC crime drama Happy Valley.

The trip included visits to filming locations in nearby Sowerby Bridge and walks through the Yorkshire moorland landscape surrounding Hardcastle Crags. Visitors also travelled to Heptonstall to visit the grave of Sylvia Plath.

The area’s independent cultural venues, including Hebden Bridge Picture House, continue to attract visitors seeking smaller-scale tourism experiences outside major urban centres.

Tourism analysts in Britain have noted sustained growth in domestic travel since the pandemic period, particularly in rural and coastal regions offering outdoor activities and short-stay accommodation.

Smaller destinations with strong transport links and cultural recognition from television or film productions have increasingly benefited from travellers seeking alternatives to crowded international hotspots.