Since its launch in May 2024, the Dorothy House Interactive Nature Trail has welcomed hundreds of trail walkers and has just been featured by Sky News Kids as part of their FYI News programme.
Recorded at the Hospice grounds in Winsley, the film explores the experience of 15 year old Lucy whose dad died at the Inpatient Unit in February 2023 and the role that the Hospice played in caring for the whole family. The interview with 15 year old presenter, Tom, also discusses the importance of destigmatising death and grief for young people and how nature can play an important role in helping to make death a part of life.
“The Dorothy House Interactive Nature Trail is a physical articulation of our vision of a society where death is a part of life and a wellbeing space where anyone who has experienced grief can reflect and find peace.” Wayne de Leeuw, Chief Executive, Dorothy House Hospice Care
Free fun for all the family
As well as learning lots about wildlife habitats, throughout the trail, visitors can access an augmented reality app which opens up a world of fascinating facts and animations. Using a mobile phone, visitors can take selfies with the resident creatures, discover more about the natural cycles of life and death, and learn about the rare species found in the preserved wild grassland meadow.
Families seeking to go tech-free can opt to try out nature rubbings created by the Hospice’s Creative Arts Therapists and explore the fascinating life cycles represented on the eight interpretative trail boards.
From impressive yellow ant eco-engineers to UK fireflies, Bechstein bats and cucumber-scented grasses, there is much to wonder at whilst enjoying the stunning views across the Wiltshire valley.
Easily accessible from local byways
Situated just off the public footpaths from the Kennet and Avon Canal at nearby Avoncliff or Limpley Stoke, the circular Nature Trail in Winsley is a perfect spot to take a pause and learn more about the incredibly bio-diverse species found in the calcareous rich grassland meadow.
With 50% of the trail completely accessible to wheelchair users and with on-site parking, the trail offers visitors an unique opportunity to connect with the wellbeing benefits of nature.
A community partnership
Thanks, in part to an ongoing partnership with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, and generous fundraising donations received from The Rotary Club of Chippenham, the Dorothy House Nature Trail offers the wider community the opportunity to visit the beautiful grounds at the Inpatient and Day Patient units in Winsley and discover more about the proven benefits of being connected with nature.
Art installation
The trail incorporates the stunning light installation, Firefly Woods, created by internationally renowned artist, Bruce Munro and that features 800 fireflies; each one a constellation of separate small lights dedicated in memory to a loved one who has died.