Opening weekend is almost here, and this year’s Pumpkins & Woodland Trail promises more woodland magic than ever, with sustainability and a deep connection to nature at the heart of the experience.
As we prepare to welcome visitors back to our Pumpkins & Woodland Trail, we’re celebrating the people, materials and thoughtful choices that bring our magical autumnal event to life.
From locally grown willow sculptures and traditional handmade besom brooms to plants foraged from our Walled Garden and interactive forest school activities, this year’s trail reflects our commitment to celebrating local talent, supporting biodiversity and helping visitors connect with the natural world.
Celebrating local craftsmanship and traditional skills
One of the most special things about this year’s trail is the work of our local artists and craftspeople, whose creativity has transformed the woodland into an enchanting autumnal escape.
Local willow artist Laura Wilcock has brought the space to life with a series of imaginative installations, from a spooky Witch’s Hat to spiders’ webs, mushrooms, giant pumpkins, fairy houses and an archway featuring sacred geometry, each adding a touch of fairytale magic to the woodland.
The creatures on the trail are inspired by the wildlife that call Wasing home. Our striking bat pays homage to the Natterer’s bats that live on the estate, while the owl is a tribute to our charming resident barn owls.
The willow used to create these beautiful sculptures is organically grown, locally sourced and harvested by hand, without chemicals or pesticides. By using materials from close to home, we reduce transport emissions and instead celebrate the landscape around us, deepening our connection to the land and embracing our role as its stewards.
We’re also celebrating traditional craftsmanship with our besom brooms, supplied by a local family business in Tadley with over 300 years of broom-making history. These handmade pieces bring a wonderful sense of heritage to the woodland and celebrate the traditional skills and local craftsmanship that continue to thrive today.
Bringing Our Walled Garden to The Woodland
We’re so pleased to be working with experienced florist and plantswoman Maddie Miles, who has beautifully incorporated plants, herbs, flowers and seed heads from our Walled Garden into the experience.
Making use of what grows here on the estate helps us celebrate the resources already around us. It also creates a natural connection between the trail and the wider landscape, allowing the changing colours, textures and shapes of the season to inspire the displays.
An interactive woodland experience inspired by nature
At Wasing, we believe sustainability is also about helping people develop a deeper appreciation for the environment. This year, our Woodland Trail is more interactive than ever, with new activities designed to encourage children to explore, play and discover the natural world around them.
Inspired by a forest school ethos, the expanded experience includes stepping stones, balance beams and interactive music stations, alongside a play kitchen in the Witch’s Apothecary, where little visitors can let their imaginations run wild. Mystical fog bubbles add another touch of enchantment, while the trail invites families to slow down, explore their surroundings and enjoy time together outdoors.
Much-loved favourites will also return, including toadstools, candle-lighting in the Area of Reflection and our fairy-tale pumpkin carriage, offering plenty of opportunities to capture magical autumn memories.
By combining imaginative play with time spent outdoors, we hope to encourage younger visitors to build their own connection with nature, discovering the wonder of the woodland through exploration and creativity.
A community effort, rooted in the land
Behind every installation and activity is our incredible team. From skilled artists, gardeners, craftspeople and colleagues from across the estate, so much care and intention has gone into creating an incredible experience for our visitors
From the willow grown nearby to the herbs gathered from our Walled Garden and the traditional brooms made just down the road, the trail celebrates the talent and resources within our local community.
Join us for a little autumn magic
With opening weekend just around the corner, we can’t wait to welcome families back to our Pumpkins & Woodland Trail for another season of woodland adventures and autumnal fun.
Whether you’re discovering our handmade sculptures, exploring the Witch’s Apothecary or enjoying the forest school activities together, we hope you’ll leave with wonderful memories immersed in nature.
Discover the magic and plan your visit to Wasing’s Pumpkins & Woodland Trail: Book your tickets here.