A man spent his life’s earnings buying a 130-acre abandoned gravel pit, he planted 50,000 trees, and years later, the barren land had become a thriving wildlife oasis

The natural landscape Edmondson created also became the setting for Log House Holidays. (Photos: LHH)

Anthony Edmondson spent his life’s earnings buying a 130-acre abandoned gravel pit in the Cotswolds, south central England, in the 1980s. He planted 50,000 trees, sowed wildflowers and added reeds to the water which over the years, has transformed the former industrial site into a landscape supporting birds and other wildlife.Edmondson’s decision was influenced by his time in Canada. Isabel Choat writes in The Guardian that Edmondson had worked in the silver mines of the Yukon and spent his time off staying in remote areas. When he returned to England and bought the former gravel pit, he wanted to recreate that feeling of wilderness closer to home.His work eventually helped the estate gain designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Today, the property, known as Log House Holidays, has eight holiday cabins, each with access to the lake. The site combines accommodation and outdoor activities with the wildlife habitat Edmondson created.

How barren land changed

The property lies near Pool Keynes, on the western edge of the Cotswolds Water Park. Edmondson’s 50,000 trees, wildflowers and reeds changed the character of the former gravel pit and created habitats for a wide range of wildlife.The Cotswolds is known for its rolling hills, fields, hedgerows and honey-coloured villages, but south of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the landscape also contains about 170 lakes.Most of these lakes were created about 50 years ago when gravel was extracted from the land. After the pits were no longer needed, many were bought by private owners or converted into nature reserves. The Cotswolds Water Park Trust now works to balance wildlife conservation with recreation across the area.Edmondson’s property is one of the quieter parts of this landscape. The lakes support wintering and breeding birds, while other parts of the wider Water Park are used for activities such as waterskiing and wakeboarding.

Edmondson’s 50,000 trees, wildflowers and reeds changed the character of the former gravel pit

Land becomes retreat

The natural landscape Edmondson created also became the setting for Log House Holidays. Visitors reach the cabins through an avenue of spruce before arriving at the lakes and woodland.The cabins were inspired by outback cabins in Canada but were imported from Finland. Built with chunky logs, they have underfloor heating supplied by a water pump. Each cabin also has its own rowing boat, giving visitors direct access to the lake.The lake and surrounding woodland have become an important part of the visitor experience. During an autumn visit, the changing colours of the trees were reflected in the water. A rowing trip offered opportunities to spot wildlife, although otters reportedly seen near the cabin did not appear.A heron was instead seen flying low over the water. The lake also provided a setting for the writer’s 10-year-old son to use the rowing boat independently.Visitors can also try activities including paddleboarding and kayaking. The wider Cotswolds Water Park has a mix of quieter wildlife sites and lakes used for watersports, making the former gravel pits part of both the area’s natural environment and tourism industry.Choat describes how being surrounded by the landscape made the effect of nature particularly noticeable during the stay.Her family also visited nearby Cirencester when rain interrupted their outdoor plans. Its Corinium Museum contains Roman artefacts found in and around the area, including mosaics. They also visited the remains of what had once been one of Britain’s largest amphitheatres.The property is also close to Trewsbury Mead, a meadow identified as the source of the River Thames. The source is seasonal, meaning there may be no visible stream during dry weather. A large stone now marks the location. Before it was placed there in 1974, a statue of Father Thames marked the spot. A wooden signpost points towards the Thames Barrier, 184 miles away.