Cholmondeley Estate

Wyld Cabins and the Cholmondeley Estate are excited to present their proposals for a new eco-retreat in a woodland on the Estate that offers guests the chance to unwind, digitally detox, and reconnect with nature.

Thank you for viewing our dedicated project website, which sets out the proposals in more detail.

Our consultation closed on Monday 23rd February. However, you can still provide feedback by emailing the project team email address below. Or, if you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch by emailing:

wyld@crestviewstrategy.com.

Wyld has entered into a long-term partnership with the Cholmondeley Estate and holds a long-term lease for an area of the woodland. The cabins will be available to book throughout the year and we expect an average stay of two to four nights.

We are dedicated to promoting and encouraging sustainable tourism within this part of Cheshire. We want guests to fully embed themselves in the beautiful woodland, fully disconnect with the outside world, and reconnect with nature in our high-quality cabins. We have therefore designed the cabins to blend in with surroundings.

The site

The site sits in Moss Wood, a 225-acre woodland which forms part of the 7,300-acre Cholmondeley Estate. It sits south of the Bickerton Road with a singular access point coming off and entering the wood.

The site will cover an approximately 85-acre section of the wood. The number of cabins proposed within the woodland means they will be well-spaced, and each will occupy just over an acre of woodland.

WYLD

Wyld provides opportunities for people to reconnect with themselves, each other and their natural surroundings, away from the stress and expectations of the modern digital world.
Cholmondeley Estate

The Cholmondeley Estate is a 7,300-acre estate centred on Cholmondeley Castle. The Castle Gardens and Park are open to the public during the season.
NTR Planning

NTR Planning is an RTPI Award winning independent firm of planning consultants with offices in London and Bristol. This team undertakes a diverse range of project work throughout the UK and Ireland, and is recognised for delivering high-quality planning advice and solutions.
Holder Mathias architects

Holder Mathias operates throughout the United Kingdom and internationally delivering services in Architecture, Urban Design and Masterplanning. Clients include Center Parcs and Forest Holidays on their national development programme.
Lanarca

Lanarca is a specialist consultancy with projects spanning commercial, bespoke strategic, forestry, leisure, and heritage landscape works. They deliver strategic landscape and regeneration advice, alongside a range of land related matters.
Crestview Strategy UK

Crestview is a global public affairs agency with a specialist team in the built environment sector. This team conducts stakeholder and community engagement along with strategic communications for a wide range of sites across England.

The Site

Location:

The proposed site lies within Moss Wood, a 225-acre woodland which straddles two unitary authorities of Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester. The site forms part of the 7,300-acre Cholmondeley Estate.
Access:

Moss Wood is accessed primarily via existing forestry rides from Bickerton Road to the north which connects to the A49 to the east.
Existing Uses:

The site compromises dense commercial plantations and a small section of an adjacent agricultural field. BeWILDerwood also spans the southern boundary of Moss Wood, off the south east boundary of the site.
Landscape Character:

A beautiful, enhanced and sustainable woodland setting, offering guests opportunities for discovery and privacy, with the goal that guests enjoy a true retreat to nature and can ‘disconnect’.
Services:

The proposals make careful and considered use of the range of existing services already in place, and all utilities, including water supply and drainage systems, have been designed to respond to site conditions and safeguard the environment.
Topography:

The site comprises of relatively flat ground sloping towards slightly higher fields to the east.
Heritage:

A comprehensive Historic Environment Assessment has been undertaken to inform the proposals, together with a proportionate consideration of the setting of the Registered Park and Garden to the north of the site.
Designations:

Moss Wood is nationally designated as Priority Habitat (no main habitat).

Our vision

Our guests are typically singles or couples and guests will be able to come for short stays year-round. Two bed family cabins are also offered for those looking to share their experience. There are also accessible cabins offered on site.

Our emerging masterplan includes:

Luxury accommodation, with careful design and quality craftsmanship to blend into the woodland.
Small cabin and service courtyard located in the heart of the site, providing guest facilities.
One per cabin, located in small clusters screened from view and 14 bays for staff parking
Small sauna and changing room with a terrace and outdoor plunge pool in a secluded location .
Perimeter planting where necessary, woodland, and biodiversity enhancement across the site.

Our proposals bring about a range of benefits, including:

Sustainable design – we use sustainably crafted and responsibly sourced UK manufacturing high-quality cabins.

Low density – our cabins will be spread out one per every 1.24-acres to provide privacy and a sense of retreat.

Low impact – our cabins are manufactured off-site, limiting on-site construction activity and are supported above the woodland floor on low impact pads or micro piles.

Limited visibility – the cabins are carefully positioned and oriented in naturally screened positions. The natural timber cladding weathers to blend into the woodland over time.

Ecologically sensitive – downward only low energy light fittings and blackout blinds prevent light spill into sensitive areas, preventing light pollution.

Outdoor focus – a generous covered terrace per cabin encourages the appreciation of the surrounding beauty of the environment.

No foundations – as cabins are manufactured off-site, they can be moved at any time with no permanent foundations affecting the ground where they will sit.

Guest experience

Exterior of cabin featuring outdoor stove and copper bathtub

Natural surroundings

The cabin terrace is provided with an outdoor stove, a ceramic cooker, and outdoor copper bathtub, encouraging guests to relax and take in the surrounding beauty.

Local produce

A small on-site shop provides locally sourced produce, along with a food hamper delivery service to cabins these will support local businesses and supermarket trips.

Active travel

Guests will be encourage to use the network of local footpaths.

Landscape-led approach

Our proposals are underpinned and defined by the existing natural environment, and the opportunities available to enhance the health and biodiversity of the woodland.

Sensitive or protected habitats are carefully considered, safeguarded, and enhanced.
Cabin glades offer micro-landscapes for cabin settings; woodland openings allow light to the forest floor, encouraging natural regeneration and forest diversification.
Existing rides and access tracks are utilised to minimise disturbance to the forest floor.
Opportunities for woodland diversification, increasing native species through replanting.
Existing open areas and clearing are actively encouraged to naturally regenerate, with meadow, scrub, and emerging woodland establishing over time.
Landscape buffer strengthened with active management, limiting visual impact and promoting biodiversity.