Kindred at Wild Spirit Woods

Saturday 25 July 2026 — Wild Spirit Woods, Congleton

Kindred at Wild Spirit Woods was created for the Festival of Archaeology 2026 as a guided exploration of the woodland as an archaeological and cultural landscape.

The tour looked at the geology, landform and visible features of the site, encouraging participants to notice how the landscape had been shaped over time and what could be read from the ground around them.

The session also included a closer look at Bells, using the site as a starting point for exploring local history and folklore and the relationship between people, place and landscape.

As part of the experience, participants were invited to tie a clootie to a tree, drawing on traditions of leaving cloth offerings at trees and wells and adding a simple participatory element to the visit.

Rather than treating the woods simply as a venue, the event focused on the landscape itself as the subject of the tour.

Participants were encouraged to look closely, ask questions and consider how geology, land use, local history and tradition all contribute to the character of a place.

Kindred at Wild Spirit Woods formed part of Kin by Nettie’s Festival of Archaeology programme.

About Wild Spirit Woods

Wild Spirit Woods is a five-acre, disability-led community and conservation project on Congleton Edge. The land was left for conservation and community use and is now cared for by Wild Spirit Woods CIC, with a focus on habitat restoration, nature connection, creativity and inclusive community activity.

The woods are home to wildflower-rich habitat, wildlife spaces, a tipi, gathering areas and growing areas, and host everything from conservation and nature-based learning to arts, storytelling, retreats and activities for neurodivergent children and young people.

What makes Wild Spirit Woods particularly special is that the landscape is not simply a backdrop to what happens there: the trees, geology, wildlife, history and character of the site are part of the experience itself.

Learn More about WSW

What this project explored:

What changes when the landscape itself becomes the interpretation?

How can geology, folklore, land use and local history be read together rather than as separate subjects?

How can a simple participatory act, such as tying a clootie, help people move from observing a place to becoming part of its continuing story?