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A Wilding Year: Bringing Life Back to the Land
An exquisitely illustrated celebration of wildlife, highlighting the importance of rewilding and returning to nature.
Hannah Dale, the artist behind the successful gift company Wrendale Designs, takes readers through a year on her farm in rural Lincolnshire, England, where she has undertaken an ambitious rewilding project. Together with her husband, she is attempting to return the land to nature and increase the number of species their land can support.
Embracing the beauty to be found in untidy landscapes has also provided Dale with new sources of inspiration for her paintings. A Wilding Year is both a journal and a sketchbook, in which Dale keeps a visual record of the fascinating species she finds on the farm. Until now, she has never published her sketchbooks, so fans of hers will see for the first time an insight into the way she works. Some of the beautifully illustrated species featured are brown hares, buzzards, short-eared owls, fox cubs, and kingfishers.
This fascinating account of a year in rural England brings to life the beauty and power of nature in every season.
Hannah Dale, the artist behind the successful gift company Wrendale Designs, takes readers through a year on her farm in rural Lincolnshire, England, where she has undertaken an ambitious rewilding project. Together with her husband, she is attempting to return the land to nature and increase the number of species their land can support.
Embracing the beauty to be found in untidy landscapes has also provided Dale with new sources of inspiration for her paintings. A Wilding Year is both a journal and a sketchbook, in which Dale keeps a visual record of the fascinating species she finds on the farm. Until now, she has never published her sketchbooks, so fans of hers will see for the first time an insight into the way she works. Some of the beautifully illustrated species featured are brown hares, buzzards, short-eared owls, fox cubs, and kingfishers.
This fascinating account of a year in rural England brings to life the beauty and power of nature in every season.
- GenresNatureNonfiction
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 11, 2025
19 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Dale
13 books7 followersHannah Dale runs Wrendale Designs, a stationery and gifting company that specializes in award-winning illustrations depicting British wildlife.
Her other Batsford titles include: A Dog’s Life, The Farmyard Set, The Young Ones, The Country Set, Born to be Wild, and Flying the Nest.
She can be found on social media @wrendaledesigns and @wildwrendale.
Her other Batsford titles include: A Dog’s Life, The Farmyard Set, The Young Ones, The Country Set, Born to be Wild, and Flying the Nest.
She can be found on social media @wrendaledesigns and @wildwrendale.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
April 2, 2025
Life on a Lincolnshire farm as the owners embrace nature.
Wow! What a fantastic book. Part journal, part nature book, part artist’s portfolio, part memoir, it’s difficult to convey just how beautiful a book A Wilding Year is. Without wishing to sound hyperbolic, reading it is akin to a spiritual cleansing, because Hannah Dale immerses the reader in nature so effectively that they are experiencing her life observing and discovering the world around her as if they are by her side. I don’t read much non-fiction, but I thought this book was magnificent and it is no exaggeration to say I finished it feeling as if I knew the author and her farm intimately. I felt Hannah Dale’s range of emotions from surprise and rage to wonder and hope with her.
As Hannah Dale takes the reader through her experiences, her writing is beautiful, painterly and evocative, but she does not shy away from the harsher realities of nature and the impact of climate change. Living in Lincolnshire as I do, I could relate to every word – from the missing hoverflies to the lack of small birdsong.
Despite its honesty, A Wilding Year is most certainly not all doom. What Hannah Dale does so eloquently, so convincingly and, actually, as a galvanising call to arms, is to illustrate that all is not lost if only we all played a small part in rewilding. The ‘dysfunctional relationship’ as Hannah sees it between us and nature can be changed – to the benefit of nature and humans – and she articulates this concept irresistibly and eloquently.
The illustrations in A Wilding Year are truly magnificent. There’s an ethereal quality to the watercolour style images that only serves to heighten the text. The pictures mean that this would make a perfect gift book.
I thought A Wilding Year was fantastic. Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the natural world around them, my only criticism is that I wish it had been available when my much missed Dad was alive. He would have adored it just as much as I do and reading A Wilding Year made me feel closer to him. I loved it.
Wow! What a fantastic book. Part journal, part nature book, part artist’s portfolio, part memoir, it’s difficult to convey just how beautiful a book A Wilding Year is. Without wishing to sound hyperbolic, reading it is akin to a spiritual cleansing, because Hannah Dale immerses the reader in nature so effectively that they are experiencing her life observing and discovering the world around her as if they are by her side. I don’t read much non-fiction, but I thought this book was magnificent and it is no exaggeration to say I finished it feeling as if I knew the author and her farm intimately. I felt Hannah Dale’s range of emotions from surprise and rage to wonder and hope with her.
As Hannah Dale takes the reader through her experiences, her writing is beautiful, painterly and evocative, but she does not shy away from the harsher realities of nature and the impact of climate change. Living in Lincolnshire as I do, I could relate to every word – from the missing hoverflies to the lack of small birdsong.
Despite its honesty, A Wilding Year is most certainly not all doom. What Hannah Dale does so eloquently, so convincingly and, actually, as a galvanising call to arms, is to illustrate that all is not lost if only we all played a small part in rewilding. The ‘dysfunctional relationship’ as Hannah sees it between us and nature can be changed – to the benefit of nature and humans – and she articulates this concept irresistibly and eloquently.
The illustrations in A Wilding Year are truly magnificent. There’s an ethereal quality to the watercolour style images that only serves to heighten the text. The pictures mean that this would make a perfect gift book.
I thought A Wilding Year was fantastic. Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the natural world around them, my only criticism is that I wish it had been available when my much missed Dad was alive. He would have adored it just as much as I do and reading A Wilding Year made me feel closer to him. I loved it.
March 21, 2025
Having just finished ‘A Wilding Year’ by Hannah Dale, I’m truly impressed by how the book blends nature, art, and reflection. The illustrations are stunning, capturing each animal and season in intricate detail. The writing is gentle and insightful, offering a glimpse into the lives of both well-known and lesser-seen creatures throughout the year.
The book’s seasonal structure works beautifully, and I found myself drawn into the quiet moments of nature that Hannah Dale describes with such care. Her observations feel personal and reflective, reminding us of our connection to the natural world.
It is a calming, thought-provoking book that made me appreciate the rhythms of nature in a deeper way. Highly recommended for anyone who loves wildlife, art, or just needs a peaceful, beautiful read.
May 7, 2025
I have been a fan of Hannah’s art for years and so when I found this book I couldn’t be more excited. This journal beautifully illustrates (both figuratively and literally) the battle nature faces every single day. Thank you Hannah for giving back to this beautiful planet and being the positive change we all need to contribute to!
July 5, 2025
One of those books I wish everyone could read. Beautifully written and marvelously illustrated. Rewilding gives me a hope that combats profound frustration that not everyone bothers to care about this gift of a planet.
April 2, 2025
Life on a Lincolnshire farm as the owners embrace nature.
Wow! What a fantastic book. Part journal, part nature book, part artist’s portfolio, part memoir, it’s difficult to convey just how beautiful a book A Wilding Year is. Without wishing to sound hyperbolic, reading it is akin to a spiritual cleansing, because Hannah Dale immerses the reader in nature so effectively that they are experiencing her life observing and discovering the world around her as if they are by her side. I don’t read much non-fiction, but I thought this book was magnificent and it is no exaggeration to say I finished it feeling as if I knew the author and her farm intimately. I felt Hannah Dale’s range of emotions from surprise and rage to wonder and hope with her.
As Hannah Dale takes the reader through her experiences, her writing is beautiful, painterly and evocative, but she does not shy away from the harsher realities of nature and the impact of climate change. Living in Lincolnshire as I do, I could relate to every word – from the missing hoverflies to the lack of small birdsong.
Despite its honesty, A Wilding Year is most certainly not all doom. What Hannah Dale does so eloquently, so convincingly and, actually, as a galvanising call to arms, is to illustrate that all is not lost if only we all played a small part in rewilding. The ‘dysfunctional relationship’ as Hannah sees it between us and nature can be changed – to the benefit of nature and humans – and she articulates this concept irresistibly and eloquently.
The illustrations in A Wilding Year are truly magnificent. There’s an ethereal quality to the watercolour style images that only serves to heighten the text. The pictures mean that this would make a perfect gift book.
I thought A Wilding Year was fantastic. Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the natural world around them, my only criticism is that I wish it had been available when my much missed Dad was alive. He would have adored it just as much as I do and reading A Wilding Year made me feel closer to him. I loved it.
Wow! What a fantastic book. Part journal, part nature book, part artist’s portfolio, part memoir, it’s difficult to convey just how beautiful a book A Wilding Year is. Without wishing to sound hyperbolic, reading it is akin to a spiritual cleansing, because Hannah Dale immerses the reader in nature so effectively that they are experiencing her life observing and discovering the world around her as if they are by her side. I don’t read much non-fiction, but I thought this book was magnificent and it is no exaggeration to say I finished it feeling as if I knew the author and her farm intimately. I felt Hannah Dale’s range of emotions from surprise and rage to wonder and hope with her.
As Hannah Dale takes the reader through her experiences, her writing is beautiful, painterly and evocative, but she does not shy away from the harsher realities of nature and the impact of climate change. Living in Lincolnshire as I do, I could relate to every word – from the missing hoverflies to the lack of small birdsong.
Despite its honesty, A Wilding Year is most certainly not all doom. What Hannah Dale does so eloquently, so convincingly and, actually, as a galvanising call to arms, is to illustrate that all is not lost if only we all played a small part in rewilding. The ‘dysfunctional relationship’ as Hannah sees it between us and nature can be changed – to the benefit of nature and humans – and she articulates this concept irresistibly and eloquently.
The illustrations in A Wilding Year are truly magnificent. There’s an ethereal quality to the watercolour style images that only serves to heighten the text. The pictures mean that this would make a perfect gift book.
I thought A Wilding Year was fantastic. Essential reading for anyone remotely interested in the natural world around them, my only criticism is that I wish it had been available when my much missed Dad was alive. He would have adored it just as much as I do and reading A Wilding Year made me feel closer to him. I loved it.
March 11, 2025
A beautifully illustrated and written book. Would recommend to anyone :)
April 29, 2025
My second wilding book in as many weeks . This just pips the other - because it is written more from the position of “ Everyman “ and whilst the author is clearly very knowledgable she is not making a studied case for her project n the way Isabelle Tree does .
Instead we are left to follow her through her monthly journal as she observes nature - the effects of their wilding - on her small plot in the world. She is doing everything she can do to promote nature on her patch. It is simply wonderful.
There are no stand out moments - just a sequence of observations during her walks and thoughts pursuant.
The passion of her argument is most felt in the epilogue , where she makes the point that we humans have allowed the baseline to shift - we no longer realise what we have lost !
As one who would like to “ go wild “ I’ve been considering how I could get started. There are some interesting concepts. First is : I’ve got to start getting used to seeing a “ bloody mess “ outside my window. Instead of grazed down fields and hedgerows I’m gonna see thistles and brambles and blackthorn creep. The things I’ve spent time removing I shall have to embrace ! And so will my neighbours.
We are very used to seeing a tidied up countryside.
So I really appreciated Hannah Dales work and her work at the farm too. It’s a great thing she is doing to promote the natural world and her calming gentle passages of description and thoughts helped to spread the beauteous vibe to me as reader
Instead we are left to follow her through her monthly journal as she observes nature - the effects of their wilding - on her small plot in the world. She is doing everything she can do to promote nature on her patch. It is simply wonderful.
There are no stand out moments - just a sequence of observations during her walks and thoughts pursuant.
The passion of her argument is most felt in the epilogue , where she makes the point that we humans have allowed the baseline to shift - we no longer realise what we have lost !
As one who would like to “ go wild “ I’ve been considering how I could get started. There are some interesting concepts. First is : I’ve got to start getting used to seeing a “ bloody mess “ outside my window. Instead of grazed down fields and hedgerows I’m gonna see thistles and brambles and blackthorn creep. The things I’ve spent time removing I shall have to embrace ! And so will my neighbours.
We are very used to seeing a tidied up countryside.
So I really appreciated Hannah Dales work and her work at the farm too. It’s a great thing she is doing to promote the natural world and her calming gentle passages of description and thoughts helped to spread the beauteous vibe to me as reader
August 23, 2025
Beautiful!! I wish it hadn’t been a library discovery because it would have been so nice to savor one chapter at a time over the course of a year or just flip through at random to gaze at the illustrations. Instead I read it in three days and now I have to return it.
April 29, 2025
Ms. Dale’s book is as beautiful as her Wrendale Designs artwork! Her writing paints a picture in your mind like no other book I’ve read. If you are interested in nature, conservation, or how you can help bring about positive change to our environment this is a must read book. Ms. Dale’s journals about bringing nature back to an old English farm is beautiful & heart rending at the same time.
March 12, 2025
Hannah Dale's A Wilding Year is a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated book that tells the story of her journey rewilding her Lincolnshire farm.
The book is packed with charming sketches and thoughtful reflections on the importance of letting nature thrive. It's perfect for nature lovers, art fans, or anyone curious about rewilding. A lovely, inspiring read!
The book is packed with charming sketches and thoughtful reflections on the importance of letting nature thrive. It's perfect for nature lovers, art fans, or anyone curious about rewilding. A lovely, inspiring read!
March 13, 2025
Wow. No words. This is such a beautiful book - not only through its words, but also the designs that feature on almost every page (each one done with so much care). I will definitely be repurchasing for all my friends and family
June 14, 2025
A Wilding Year by Hannah Dale
This is a beautiful book that charts the start of a story about allowing nature to reclaim a farm in Lincolnshire that was commercially unviable. It describes the early journey, the challenges Jack and Hannah faced, including from the local community, and how they broke down or navigated around some of the barriers.
The story entertains, enlightens and captivates, drawing you into the natural world in a way that is immediately real and recognisable. But Hannah doesn’t stop there, she uses her scientific background to explain what she is seeing and her beautiful use of language makes it accessible to the science novice but also expands the understanding of the enthusiast.
Hannah is the creative genius behind Wrendale and illustrations copied from her naturalists notebook on her daily walks around the farm are typically authentic and charming, bringing life to the scenes conjured up on the page.
We see the farm as it is now through each month of the year, meeting the birds, animals and plants that dominate conversation in each season, learning more about them, their biology and interactions.
You also get a glimpse of how things may evolve on the farm, how Hannah and Jack will manage the development beyond this early pioneer phase e.g. the changes brought about by introducing larger herbivores to the landscape.
This is a book for anyone with any interest in the natural world. The “After word” provides easy access to the reality of the wider world and the challenges we face if we are to navigate through this desperate time in the life of our planet and as such should in my view form a key part of every students science curriculum.
For those who want to know more about wilding the land this book provides an excellent insight into the challenges faced but also the joys and the rewards gained. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
This is a beautiful book that charts the start of a story about allowing nature to reclaim a farm in Lincolnshire that was commercially unviable. It describes the early journey, the challenges Jack and Hannah faced, including from the local community, and how they broke down or navigated around some of the barriers.
The story entertains, enlightens and captivates, drawing you into the natural world in a way that is immediately real and recognisable. But Hannah doesn’t stop there, she uses her scientific background to explain what she is seeing and her beautiful use of language makes it accessible to the science novice but also expands the understanding of the enthusiast.
Hannah is the creative genius behind Wrendale and illustrations copied from her naturalists notebook on her daily walks around the farm are typically authentic and charming, bringing life to the scenes conjured up on the page.
We see the farm as it is now through each month of the year, meeting the birds, animals and plants that dominate conversation in each season, learning more about them, their biology and interactions.
You also get a glimpse of how things may evolve on the farm, how Hannah and Jack will manage the development beyond this early pioneer phase e.g. the changes brought about by introducing larger herbivores to the landscape.
This is a book for anyone with any interest in the natural world. The “After word” provides easy access to the reality of the wider world and the challenges we face if we are to navigate through this desperate time in the life of our planet and as such should in my view form a key part of every students science curriculum.
For those who want to know more about wilding the land this book provides an excellent insight into the challenges faced but also the joys and the rewards gained. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
August 23, 2025
A nature, art and literature lesson all rolled into one. 5/5
This book is like an ode to UK nature and the four seasons, and gives you some understanding of how complex and highly connected everything is. Hannah’s writing is highly descriptive, bordering on poetic at times, and there are some great metaphors. Alongside the fascinating month by month commentary on the flowers, birds, insects, animals and trees are some of her beautiful watercolour illustrations - my favourites were the tawny owl, the kingfisher and the buzzard. I learnt a lot and was constantly googling the various species, and the paragraphs on the mayfly, the grasshoppers, and woodcocks were memorable. I love the sentiment of her project to rewild their 300 acre farm and this book provides a brief insight to the passion they have for the natural world. The afterword was important, imploring us to challenge the modern doctrine that humans have a divine right over all of nature. We are simply a tiny part of the whole ecosystem and should do our best to treasure and protect it. A really enjoyable read and made me want to buy a farm and follow in her footsteps.
This book is like an ode to UK nature and the four seasons, and gives you some understanding of how complex and highly connected everything is. Hannah’s writing is highly descriptive, bordering on poetic at times, and there are some great metaphors. Alongside the fascinating month by month commentary on the flowers, birds, insects, animals and trees are some of her beautiful watercolour illustrations - my favourites were the tawny owl, the kingfisher and the buzzard. I learnt a lot and was constantly googling the various species, and the paragraphs on the mayfly, the grasshoppers, and woodcocks were memorable. I love the sentiment of her project to rewild their 300 acre farm and this book provides a brief insight to the passion they have for the natural world. The afterword was important, imploring us to challenge the modern doctrine that humans have a divine right over all of nature. We are simply a tiny part of the whole ecosystem and should do our best to treasure and protect it. A really enjoyable read and made me want to buy a farm and follow in her footsteps.
October 14, 2025
4.6 out of 5. A lovely book with beautiful
Illustrations and an enjoyable read. Hannah Dale guides us through a year on the farm they are rewilding. I’m unclear how large it is, but at one point she mentions it’s a mile from one end to another so it must be 1-200 acres. Anyway it’s big enough to put in ponds that are over 4 acres!
The overall tone is gentle. Some of the neighbouring landowners are unhappy with the rewilding and seeds from
Thistle and ragwort reaching their land, and the Dales go to extreme lengths (in my view) to keep those grumpy sods happy. But I suppose you have to keep in with the neighbours. I would have enjoyed more detail on those challenges.
In several rewilding books I’ve read, deer are a subject that generates a lot of heat as they stop woodlands from regenerating. Hannah has a more accepting viewpoint.
It’s a hopeful, encouraging story as she details the explosion in Biodoversity after just a couple of years of nature restoration. Hopeful stories are needed these days. Hannah’s living my dream. Well worth a read!
Illustrations and an enjoyable read. Hannah Dale guides us through a year on the farm they are rewilding. I’m unclear how large it is, but at one point she mentions it’s a mile from one end to another so it must be 1-200 acres. Anyway it’s big enough to put in ponds that are over 4 acres!
The overall tone is gentle. Some of the neighbouring landowners are unhappy with the rewilding and seeds from
Thistle and ragwort reaching their land, and the Dales go to extreme lengths (in my view) to keep those grumpy sods happy. But I suppose you have to keep in with the neighbours. I would have enjoyed more detail on those challenges.
In several rewilding books I’ve read, deer are a subject that generates a lot of heat as they stop woodlands from regenerating. Hannah has a more accepting viewpoint.
It’s a hopeful, encouraging story as she details the explosion in Biodoversity after just a couple of years of nature restoration. Hopeful stories are needed these days. Hannah’s living my dream. Well worth a read!
June 7, 2025
Delightful book with endearing illustrations by the author. The structure of the months of the year works well, and the Afterword is pertinent. I enjoyed reading through, due to the wealth of details of flora and fauna on their farm, being allowed to rewild after centuries of heavy agriculture. Tensions between their more progressive approach and local traditionalists are explored sensitively. There is a plethora of books about this subject at the moment. This one stood out for me due to the illustrations. I would have liked slightly less dense description and a bit more penetrating analysis, but then maybe the book would have lost its lyrical, slightly naïve air.
April 29, 2025
This is such a lovely book. It’s like taking a peaceful and educational walk in the countryside. Hannah has a very poetic and gentle way of writing whilst still putting across a strong message about nature and how it needs our help. I would love to visit Hannah and Jack’s farm as it sounds so lovely and inspiring. Hannah and Jack should be very proud of the rewilding work they’ve done and continue to do giving nature a much needed space to thrive. Well done Hannah on such a well written and illustrated book.
November 6, 2025
This is the story of rewilding a north Lincolnshire farm in England in the form of a journal of observations over a year. The sightings allow author Hannah Dale to discuss the implications of restoring some nature to sterile agrarian landscapes. A beautiful book in terms of watercolor and colored pencil illustrations, and a very important message about the loss of biodiversity. Well written, evocative and compelling. Full review to follow.
January 16, 2026
Oh my goodness!! What an amazing journey through the year with wonderful illustrations in a lovely texture and colour of papers!
Hannah Dale takes the reader to the magical wildlife with every little details of the plants and animals she describes. They are definitely not pests or weeds; they are the sharers of Earth with human beings who are no way superior. I have never been a fan of tidy gardens but this book will make our eyes open wider. It will break you into pieces and make you. Totally in love with the book ❤️
Hannah Dale takes the reader to the magical wildlife with every little details of the plants and animals she describes. They are definitely not pests or weeds; they are the sharers of Earth with human beings who are no way superior. I have never been a fan of tidy gardens but this book will make our eyes open wider. It will break you into pieces and make you. Totally in love with the book ❤️
November 21, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. I read it because I love Wrendale Designs. I found the book really inspiring and felt a pull to be outside, pay a little more attention to my surroundings and listen. I did have a moment that I absolutely sobbed and did not expect that in this book. All around light and easy read aside from that moment that creeps up on you.
March 17, 2025
What a beautiful book. Hannah Dale's illustrations are always stunningly beautiful but the sentiments expressed in the prose are eloquently matching, I loved it. A lyrical reminder of how precious wildlife and habitats need protecting to survive.
May 11, 2025
An enjoyable combination of engaging descriptions and equally beautiful artwork. Less detail of the journey from arable to rewilding than the Knepp /Isabella Tree book, as this mostly covers one calendar year, but just as encouraging as far as the overall outcome is concerned.
March 13, 2025
This book has been a privilege to read and Hannah Dale has done an incredible job writing it
May 11, 2025
I loved this book. An absolute pleasure to absorb on an ironically unseasonably hot day in the garden. Beautiful, thought provoking and completely inspiring
May 21, 2025
Loved this book
Beautifully illustrated
Beautifully illustrated
July 26, 2025
Absolutely loved this book.
November 27, 2025
An incredible personal tale following a year rewinding farmland. Enjoyed every moment of the book.
April 24, 2025
It's a lovely little book about nature recovery on a former farm in Lincolnshire. The author is also a professional artist and the book has lots of fantastic paintings scattered throughout the book.
June 7, 2025
Having just moved to Lincolnshire from Kent, I've found it to be a barren wasteland of industrial farming, fox hunting and dated attitudes to nature. The potential is there, we have the land, we have the ability, we have a few special species clinging on here and there. But we've lost a lot of woodland, a lot of hedgerow and wildflower habitat in this pesticide soaked county. This book is so inspiring that amongst that wasteland of old-school farming, someone is willing to go the opposite way. I'd love to visit some day and see the results as I have done at Knepp Estate. Thank you for the incredible book and your efforts
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews