Exploring the
Celtic Rainforest
with Joe Hope
I've been fascinated by the ancient woodlands of Wales since I was a child, and I love sharing the wonder of them with others! I have a PhD in forest ecology and I've worked as a specialist for the Woodland Trust, Forestry Commission and at the prestigious Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. I now work as a freelance consultant as well as running a small organic farm with a herd of 6 Highland cattle. I enjoy showing people the secret gems of the forest in an fun informal manner - you won't be tested on Latin names - but I hope you'll come away with great memories.
What we’ll do
We'll delve deep into the heart of the Celtic Rainforest to discover some of the unique plants and fungi that make this habitat so special and distinctive. Many of these plants are easily overlooked by the casual observer, but I'll provide lenses and microscopes to allow you to explore this environment to the full. I'll explain the roles of the organisms that we see in the ecosystem as a whole and I'll give an overview of the history of the area. Being a rainforest, expect it to be wet (!), so you'll need good sturdy boots and waterproofs.
What else you should know
Contact me to arrange a date - I may be available! I can tailor the route we take according to the abilities of the group, but there will always be some hilly and uneven sections.
What I’ll provide
Study Equipment
LED illuminating hand lenses for each participant
What to bring
Sturdy footwear - ideally hiking boots or wellies
Waterproof clothing
Snacks and drinks as needed
Cost
Groups of 3+ required ideally. £25 per person. Negotiable for larger groups.
There is a reduced rate for guests staying with us. Contact us for details.
“We really had a great afternoon on our walk with Joe! It is amazing how much you can see when you take the time to look at things you usually walk past.”
Dark G
“We had a really fascinating and fun morning walking in the most sublime river valley looking through magnifying glasses at lichens, mosses and ferns. A world of beauty on another scale. Joe’s obviously an expert on the ecology of the area but didn’t overwhelm us with science, and made interesting comments and observations. He even brought a rope so we could shimmy down a particularly steep section. We were lucky to have a warm sunny day so it couldn’t have been better!”