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The first session focused on mask decorating and wand making, encouraging children to become woodland heroes. They used paints, hemp twine, and natural materials gathered from the woodland to create their own characters and magical wands. Every child produced something unique, and the pride on their faces as they stepped into their woodland hero roles was wonderful to see.

As the holiday continued, children returned for more creative fun. Our potion making station quickly became a favourite. Coloured water and natural ingredients inspired children to mix their own woodland “brews”. They used food colouring along with feathers, leaves, moss, and lichen found in the woodland. These mixtures encouraged them to explore textures, scents, and the natural world in a playful, sensory‑rich way. Potion making always brings plenty of laughter and sparks curiosity.

To finish the programme, children worked with air‑dry clay, shaping animals, ornaments, and imaginative designs. Clay is a brilliant material for building confidence and fine motor skills, and every creation was wonderfully individual. Watching each child proudly share their finished piece was a highlight of the summer.

These DASH Ceredigion summer activity sessions show how powerful creative play can be for wellbeing, confidence, and connection. We’re proud to work with DASH Ceredigion and support inclusive, accessible activities for children and young people across Ceredigion.

Keep an eye on our social media for future activity sessions.

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Longwood Community Woodland is a place people love for its peace, beauty, and wildlife. But recently, we’ve seen increasing damage caused by visitors nailing or cable‑tying trees together to create makeshift hides, dens, and shelters. Although often done with good intentions, this kind of damage has serious consequences for the health of our woodland and the species that depend on it.

When nails, screws, or cable ties are forced into living trees, they pierce the bark — the tree’s protective skin. This creates open wounds that expose the tree to fungal infections, rot, and disease. Even a single nail can weaken a tree’s natural defences, and repeated damage can shorten its lifespan. Cable ties, meanwhile, slowly tighten as the tree grows, cutting into the bark and restricting the flow of water and nutrients. Over time, this can kill branches or even the entire tree.

The impact doesn’t stop there. Damaged trees become less stable, increasing the risk of falling limbs. This affects nesting birds, bats roosting in cavities, insects living under bark, and the many species that rely on healthy trees for food and shelter. In Longwood, where biodiversity is one of our greatest strengths, every damaged tree represents a loss to the wider ecosystem.

Artificial hides and dens also disrupt natural wildlife behaviour. When structures are built in sensitive areas, animals may avoid them entirely. This reduces feeding opportunities, disturbs breeding sites, and pushes species into less suitable habitats. For ground‑nesting birds, small mammals, and invertebrates, this disturbance can be devastating.

We know people build these structures because they feel connected to the woodland — and that’s something we value deeply. But the best way to enjoy Longwood is to leave no trace. If you want to watch wildlife, use natural cover, stay quiet, and allow the woodland to remain wild.

Protecting Longwood means protecting every tree. If you see any damage, makeshift structures, or suspicious activity, please report it to Longwood staff immediately. Your vigilance helps us safeguard the woodland and the biodiversity that makes this place so special.

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While we’ve been welcoming families, volunteers and visitors to a full programme of summer sessions taking place around our Visitor’s Centre, the woodland itself has been just as active. Further into the trees, away from the busy paths and outdoor activity areas, our forestry team has been carrying out essential work to support the long‑term health of Longwood Community Woodland.

This behind‑the‑scenes activity is a vital part of caring for a living landscape. As Wales experiences more extreme weather events — including intense summer droughts and powerful winter storms — the woodland needs thoughtful, proactive management. These interventions help increase climate resilience, ensuring the forest can adapt, recover and thrive for generations to come.

🌲 Sustainable Forestry in Action

Over recent weeks, our team has been thinning overcrowded areas, removing storm‑damaged trees, and improving light levels on the forest floor. This encourages stronger root systems, more diverse plant growth, and healthier habitats for wildlife. It also reduces the risk of future storm damage by creating a more stable and balanced canopy.

Among the trees harvested are larch logs, carefully selected as part of our long‑term woodland plan. These logs won’t go to waste — they’re already being processed and will soon be milled into boards ready for a customer order. This is a great example of how sustainable woodland management supports both biodiversity and local craftsmanship.

🌱 Supporting Your Next Project

So while the area around the Visitor’s Centre has been full of creativity, learning and summer fun, the heart of Longwood has been quietly strengthening itself. If you’d like to make an enquiry or get a quote for your next project, visit our sawmill page to learn more about the timber we produce and the services we offer.

Longwood is growing, adapting and preparing for the future — and we’re proud to share that journey with our community.

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A stunning new extension and balcony built by our friends at Ty Pren is a perfect example of what can be achieved with roundwood Douglas fir construction using timber harvested from Longwood. This natural building method is gaining attention for its strength, sustainability, and beautiful organic appearance. If you’re looking for a construction approach that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern environmental values, roundwood framing is an exceptional option.

Why Choose Roundwood Construction?

Roundwood construction uses timber in its most natural form. Instead of milling the wood into square beams, each stem is kept round, preserving the tree’s original strength. This means the timber retains its natural fibres and structural integrity, resulting in stronger, more resilient beams. Builders often comment on how roundwood frames feel “alive” within a structure, bringing warmth and character that sawn timber simply can’t replicate.

Another major benefit is sustainability. Roundwood timber requires minimal processing, which significantly reduces embodied energy. With fewer industrial steps involved, the carbon footprint of a roundwood frame is much lower than conventional construction materials. Because the timber is used in its natural form, the overall build process is simpler — and this often means roundwood construction works out cheaper than conventional timber‑framed building. Less milling, fewer processed components, and shorter supply chains all contribute to lower costs.

Local Craftsmanship, Local Timber

The extension and balcony created by Ty Pren showcase how roundwood Douglas fir can transform a building. Douglas fir is naturally durable, making it ideal for outdoor structures. Its warm colour and organic curves create a unique aesthetic that blends seamlessly with the landscape.

By choosing roundwood Douglas fir from Longwood, builders support local woodland management, reduce transport emissions, and invest in sustainable craftsmanship. Click here to get in touch to discuss your next project — we’re always happy to help.

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This summer, Longwood Community Woodland is opening its gates for a series of family sessions designed to bring children closer to nature, spark creativity and encourage outdoor exploration. Our Summer Family Sessions offer five unique activities led by local artists, woodland educators and community partners. Each one gives families a chance to slow down, spend time together and enjoy the woodland in a hands‑on, meaningful way.

We begin on Wednesday 22 July with Insect Investigators. Beth will guide families through a close‑up exploration of the tiny creatures that live beneath logs, leaves and moss. Children will learn how to search carefully, observe closely and appreciate the small but important wildlife that thrives in Longwood.

On Thursday 30 July, Sophie leads Leaf Printing, a gentle creative workshop that blends art with nature. Families will forage for interesting leaves, explore their shapes and textures, and turn them into colourful printed artwork to take home. It’s a calm, mindful session that encourages children to notice the details around them.

The energy rises on Monday 3 August with Actif‑i‑ti, an outdoor movement session full of games, laughter and woodland fun. Lleucu’s activities are designed to get children moving, balancing, running and exploring, all while enjoying the fresh air and open space.

On Thursday 13 August, Maria introduces children to Willow Weaving. Using natural materials, families will learn simple weaving techniques and create a small piece to take home. This session is perfect for children who enjoy making things with their hands.

We finish on Thursday 27 August with Plant Pot Painting, a relaxed creative workshop with Chloe from Brushes and Brew. Children will decorate their own plant pots with bright colours and imaginative designs, ready for planting at home.

Each session costs £6 per child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Outdoor clothing is recommended.

To book your child’s place, simply get in touch — we’d love to welcome you to Longwood this summer.

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Over the weekend, our Biodiversity and Engagement Officer, Beth, set out the moth trap near the Longwood car park. She wanted to learn more about the species active after dark. By Sunday morning, the trap held over 35 different species of moths, along with a few other insects and invertebrates. As a result, this simple survey gave us a clear glimpse into the hidden world of moths at Longwood and the wildlife that thrives while the woodland sleeps.

Why Moth Monitoring Matters

Moths are excellent indicators of biodiversity. They respond quickly to changes in habitat, climate and food availability. Because of this, they help us understand the health of our woodland. When we record a wide range of species, it suggests that the surrounding environment is supporting a rich mix of plants, trees and microhabitats.

The variety found this weekend shows that Longwood continues to offer the right conditions for many species to feed, breed and shelter. From tiny micro‑moths to larger, beautifully patterned species, each one plays a role in the woodland ecosystem. Some act as pollinators. Others provide food for bats and birds. Many also contribute to natural cycles of decomposition and renewal.

What We Found in the Trap

The trap revealed an impressive range of species. This included three different hawk moth species, which are large and striking, and three different micro‑moth species, some so small they are easy to miss without specialist equipment. Together, these contrasting groups highlight just how diverse moth life can be at Longwood.

We also captured close‑up photographs that showed delicate wing patterns, subtle colours and fine details. These images help us build a clearer picture of the wildlife using the woodland at night.

Supporting Longwood’s Biodiversity Work

The findings from this weekend will feed into our ongoing biodiversity monitoring. Regular moth trapping helps us track seasonal changes and long‑term trends. Because of this, we can continue to protect and enhance habitats across the site.

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We want to say a sincere thank you for supporting Longwood timber over the past few months. The mill has been exceptionally busy, and that’s entirely due to your continued trust in our locally sourced, sustainably managed products. Every order, whether for a large project or a single board, helps keep the mill thriving and the woodland cared for.

🦉 How Your Timber Purchases Support the Woodland

When you choose timber from Longwood, you’re doing far more than buying materials. You’re directly supporting the long‑term management of Longwood Community Woodland. All income from timber sales goes straight back into improving biodiversity, restoring habitats, maintaining paths, and enhancing visitor facilities. Your support helps us protect wildlife, improve access, and ensure the woodland remains a welcoming place for everyone.

🌍 Sustainability at the Heart of Our Work

Sustainability guides every decision we make. By choosing timber grown and milled right here in Longwood, you help reduce transport miles, lower carbon emissions, and support a circular local economy. Nothing is wasted. From sawlogs to boards, from roundwood to firewood, every part of each tree is used with care and purpose. This responsible approach benefits both nature and the community.

🌳 Your Support Secures Longwood’s Future

Your custom keeps the mill active, the woodland healthy, and the future of Longwood secure. Thank you for supporting Longwood timber and for helping us protect this special place for generations to come.

If you’d like to discuss a project or place an order, click here!

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