Welcome to Wylderne
Wylderne, a newly formed local community owned business, is excited to announce it is completing purchase of the Wilderness Centre in Mitcheldean.
After its sale by the County Council in 2014 to a private buyer, ownership is about to be back in community hands, and its future finally secured.
It will belong to the Forest.
To achieve our vision, we need to raise funds to complete the purchase, for important repairs, and for improving and upgrading the facilities if it’s truly going to be a community asset.
It needs to be a place that feels attractive, welcoming, a bit special where all ages can relax, be comfortable, and be inspired.
Your support will ensure the many people in our community who had their first formative nights away from home at the Wilderness on their school residential will know that this experience is protected for future generations.
What’s more, as a community owned business we will be welcoming not only children but all age groups to this beautiful spot. We are an ideal place for connecting to and learning about nature and understanding how the unique biodiversity of the Forest fits together. We plan to offer opportunities to learn new skills too, skills a greener economy will need.
We are planning to host three open days where members of the public can visit the Wilderness and, importantly, talk to Simon, Paul, and Jamie about their exciting plans. The available dates are Saturday, May 30th; Saturday, June 7th; or Saturday, June 14th. We look forward to seeing you and answering all of your questions on how we plan to breathe new life into the Wilderness!
Our vision
Wylderne Bioregioning is an evolution of the outdoor activities and residential experience that the Wilderness offered for over 50 years.
Our vision is now to be a learning centre for the whole Forest community.
You can read more about bioregioning here. Suffice to say, given its facilities, history and ecological vitality the Wilderness is a natural hub for people to connect with each other, and with Nature.
Children and young people are at the heart of our vision. Building thriving lives through good mental and physical health with an appreciation of how the natural world works will be a central theme in Wylderne Bioregioning’s programmes and activities.
There is untapped potential here in the Forest, a place between three rivers: the Severn, the Wye and the Leadon. While it is an edge place, sometimes forgotten, against the ancient boundary between England and Wales, it has also always been a ‘working forest’. And a place which from time to time has played a central role in the story of the whole country. You could add the wider world, too, for the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution was here in the lower Wye Valley. What role might it take now, given we are moving towards a greener economy? The Wilderness, as a Forest-wide learning centre could be where we find this out.
How to become a member
In June 2025, we will be holding a community share issue to raise capital towards the purchase of the freehold of The Wilderness Centre.
Membership is open to individuals over the age of 16, corporate bodies and unincorporated associations who support the society's objectives.
Potential members must provide their name, address, email address and telephone number.