Nicholsons

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the stunning Old Gore Barn in Calmsden for Nicholsons’ Forestry Briefing earlier this week. We’re incredibly grateful to our hosts for providing such a fantastic setting and to Jack McCrickard from the Western Forest UK for sharing insights on England’s first new national forest in 30 years. A huge thank you also goes to our speakers and attendees for making the day so valuable. From timber market trends to the exciting Western Forest initiative and the growing role of natural capital, the conversations were full of insight and opportunity. It was inspiring to see so much collaboration and forward-thinking in one room. Keep an eye out for details on our next event - we’d love to continue these conversations and work together to shape a sustainable future for forestry.

Rooted in Light | Part Two: Healthy Spaces In collaboration with The Rooflight Co., we explore how a holistic approach to home design can create sustainable environments that enhance wellbeing. Natural light is proven to boost mood, energy and overall health. Yet, interiors and landscapes are often treated as separate entities, missing the opportunity to design spaces that feel truly connected to nature. Our shared vision is simple: when architecture and landscaping work together, daylight flows seamlessly through both realms, creating homes that are not only illuminated but Rooted in Light. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/evnTYvpD What does a healthy space mean to you? Join the conversation below.

Planting with Purpose: Woodland Creation at Nicholsons As winter sets in, our teams are out on the land, helping clients bring new woodlands to life - thoughtfully, strategically and with long-term value in mind. At Nicholsons, woodland creation isn’t about scale for scale’s sake. It’s about designing schemes that reflect the character of the landscape, the heritage of the estate and the ambitions of the landowner. We work closely with clients to ensure every project is commercially sound, environmentally meaningful and tailored to the future they envision. From navigating funding and policy to selecting the right species and planting methods, our approach is grounded in expertise and care. If you're considering woodland creation this season, we’d love to help you make it count. Get in touch via contact@nicholsonsgb.com

This week's announcement of a new National Forest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor is a significant and hopeful step toward nature recovery, climate resilience and sustainable development. With over £1 billion committed to tree planting, this initiative promises to bring green spaces closer to communities, support thousands of green jobs and embed nature into one of the UK’s most dynamic regions. At Nicholsons, we welcome this vision. As a team working across Oxfordshire and beyond in forestry, landscape design and ecosystem services, we see this as a meaningful opportunity to support long-term environmental change. We’re looking forward to engaging with others who share this ambition whether through woodland creation, biodiversity enhancement or sustainable land management. There’s a lot to be done and we’re keen to play our part. This is a chance to build something lasting. A forest that serves both people and planet and reflects the best of what thoughtful, nature-led design can achieve.

There’s something about the quiet of late autumn that invites reflection. At Nicholsons, we use this time to pause, observe and consider how outdoor spaces might evolve in the months ahead. Ideas take root long before the first signs of spring. If you're thinking about changes to your garden, now’s a good time to start the conversation... For inspiration, take a look at our Garden Design portfolio: https://lnkd.in/e8mw6XP

As autumn fades and the garden quiets, we find ourselves in a different rhythm - one of care, preparation and reflection. At this time of year, our team steps into gardens not to transform them overnight, but to tend to the quiet details that make all the difference come spring. We prune wisteria that’s tangled through summer, mulch beds to protect and nourish, clear away the remnants of the season and gently shape roses and orchards ready for spring. In greenhouses, we wipe down glass and sweep out cobwebs, making space for new beginnings. And with Jane, our garden consultant, we sit down with clients to plan and sketch out ideas for the months ahead while the garden rests. Winter work isn’t loud or showy. It’s thoughtful, grounding and deeply rewarding. If your garden could use a little winter care, get in touch with our Garden Management team on gardenmanagement@nicholsonsgb.com

Bats, Halloween and the Ecology of the Night When Halloween comes around, it’s easy to associate bats with the season’s spooky imagery. But beyond the myths and folklore, bats are one of the UK’s most remarkable and ecologically valuable mammals. There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected by law. Far from being creatures of horror, they are vital contributors to healthy ecosystems: - Natural pest control: A single common pipistrelle can consume up to 3,000 midges in one night, helping to regulate insect populations naturally. - Indicators of environmental health: Bats depend on clean water, rich insect life and diverse woodland and hedgerow networks. Their presence often signals a thriving, balanced ecosystem. - Habitat sensitivity: Even small changes to landscape connectivity or lighting can disrupt bat behaviour, making careful management and ecological awareness essential. At Nicholsons, our ecology team works to protect and enhance bat habitats through ecological surveys, woodland management and habitat creation. Whether through the installation of bat boxes, maintaining dark corridors or safeguarding mature trees, our goal is to ensure that bats continue to play their quiet but crucial role in the natural world. This Halloween, as you catch a glimpse of a bat silhouetted against the evening sky, remember – they are not symbols of fear but of biodiversity, balance and the health of our environment.

The Royal Horticultural Society State of Gardening Report 2025 shows what we’ve long believed: gardens are the UK’s quiet climate heroes. They cool cities, store carbon, shelter wildlife and lift our wellbeing, forming one of the largest living networks in the country. But to design better, we need to measure better. That’s why we developed elemental - green design toolkit - a platform that brings data, biodiversity and beauty together. Swipe through for eight insights redefining how we value and design green spaces. To read the full RHS State of Gardening Report, click here: chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://lnkd.in/eZ4gSKRY

Sustainability in Garden and Landscape Design On Thursday 20th November, Nicholsons, in conjunction with Garden Masterclass, will host a Sustainability Symposium at our North Aston site. The event will bring together professionals from across the landscape and garden design industry to explore how thoughtful design can deliver positive outcomes for climate and nature. The programme features contributions from Liz Nicholson and Rachel Jackson, covering soil health, biodiversity and strategies for reducing environmental impacts. An afternoon workshop will focus on applying elemental - green design toolkit, Nicholsons’ sustainability assessment tool, which supports designers and contractors in understanding and improving performance across materials, carbon, water and biodiversity. Tickets: £150 per person (including lunch and refreshments) Where: Nicholsons, The Park, North Aston, OX25 6HL When: Thursday 20th November, 10:00am - 16:30pm To book your tickets and for further information, please click here: https://lnkd.in/eGX7Rz7y

Supporting Garden Birds Through Autumn: An Ecological Perspective As autumn unfolds, the landscape undergoes a quiet transformation and with it, the needs of our native bird populations shift. At Nicholsons, our ecology team recognises this seasonal transition as a critical period for avian support, particularly as natural food sources diminish and shelter becomes increasingly important. From an ecological standpoint, gardens and managed landscapes can play a vital role in sustaining birdlife through the colder months. We encourage landowners, gardeners and designers to consider the following practices: • Supplementary feeding: Provide high-energy foods such as seeds, suet and mealworms to help birds build reserves for winter. • Habitat structure: Retain seedheads, hedgerows and leaf litter to offer natural foraging and cover. • Water availability: Ensure clean, unfrozen water is accessible for drinking and bathing. • Hygiene and maintenance: Regularly clean all feeding and watering stations with warm water and mild dish soap to prevent the spread of diseases such as avian pox and salmonella. Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before refilling. Consistent hygiene practices help keep local bird populations healthy, particularly when natural congregations at feeders increase during colder months. • Native planting: Incorporate berry-producing species like hawthorn, holly and rowan to support seasonal diets. • Nesting opportunities: Install bird boxes now, allowing birds to familiarise themselves with potential roosting sites ahead of spring. These small interventions, when integrated into broader landscape management, contribute meaningfully to biodiversity and ecological resilience. At Nicholsons, we embed these principles into our woodland creation, garden design and estate planning work ensuring that our landscapes serve both people and wildlife, year-round.