Stories from the Barn
A hive of activity in the Hampshire downlands
Stories from the Barn is all about the heart and soul of our British Natural History, Art, Landscape, Literature and Country ways.
Sharing with you, discovering and reconnecting together with our British natural history, landscape heritage, art and literature that we have been privileged to explore and learn about over this past year and on through the continuing challenges of 2020. From our rural hive, tucked into the folds of Hampshire Down land, we have used this time to walk out into our beautiful countryside to slow down and take time to observe, discover and learn more about the natural world and landscape around us. It has been a very positive and healing experience and one we hope you too will enjoy.
Through The Woods by H.E Bates Through the Woods by H.E Bates. When he was a child the writer Herbert Bates wanted to be a painter. He describes the paintings…
The Snowdrop the symbol of hope. “The Snowdrop, in purest white array, First rears her head on Candlemas day.” The arrival of the Snowdrop is a sign that, although we…
What is the Wolf Moon? The first full moon of 2021 will be visible tonight and it is known as the ‘Wolf Moon’. The moon, the first of the twelve…
An Economic History of the English Garden by Roderick Floud. I picked up ‘An Economic History of The English Garden’ as a result of discovering a whole branch of my…
My first nature journal. I have wanted to keep a nature journal for a number of years but lacked confidence in drawing skills to have a go. There are some…
The Soundscapes Wellbeing Project is a collaboration between Exeter University and the BBC. For many of us getting out into the countryside is not an option at the moment. Living…
Discovering the Biodiversity Heritage Library. The amazing Biodiversity Heritage Library is one of the most astonishing resources for those with an interest in biodiversity. It is an open access digital…
A Sense of Place Seeking a sense of place, a home, is something many of us strive for. When the eminent nature writer, Robert Mcfarlane wrote in his book ‘Landmarks’,…
I have never heard of a walking artist until I saw the artwork of Hamish Fulton. As soon as I saw the work of Hamish Fulton and read what had…
The Importance of gardening. There can be no doubt that the British are a nation of gardeners. Even if we don’t have a garden of our own to attend we…