We wanted to share with you a glimpse into the amazing retreat where we have been lucky enough to shoot our autumn/winter 2024 campaign – 42 Acres. This is a wonderful estate set in beautiful forest and parkland.
It’s an award-winning retreat with outstanding accommodation, food and service. They are at the forefront of regenerative programs and with their land-to-table approach to cooking.
We are very grateful for the opportunity to shoot our campaign this year in such an incredible place so close to home, run by wholesome people who are passionate about what they do and are so in tune with our ethics here at BIBICO.
We mainly used the Library Barn as it was cold and dark at the time of the shoot, but we also got to use some of the surrounding areas.
We’d like to tell you all about them but there is so much to say. If this whets your appetite, then find out more on their website at www.42acres.com
This is what they are all about
“We use our deepest intuition, ancient tools and shared knowledge to establish regenerative spaces, curate transformational experiences, and foster opportunities to learn, heal and grow.”
There is so much to enjoy here, it is hard to know where to start! You can visit for a day’s experience, or stay in the fabulous self-catered accommodation or enjoy a full retreat, immersing yourself in the calming ethos and really connecting with nature.
- Explore the many trails through the meadows, woodlands and around lakes.
- Enjoy the wildlife at your doorstep - barn owls, hares, wild boar, pine martens, otters, beavers and so much more!
- Enjoy wild swimming in the 7 acre lake! A great way to start the day, refresh and revitalise your body with a serene swim surrounded by nature.
- Get involved and learn more about the biodynamic and permaculture inspired vegetable gardens. They use heirloom varieties and no dig principles to grow nutritious food and you are invited to help out, get your hands dirty or pick yourself some fresh vegetables for lunch!
The food
The principles that they adhere to
- A 'Soil to Gut' Menu. They believe that the soils in which we grow food and our guts in which the food ends up, are one and the same so we should treat them with the same care.
- By serving simple, seasonal food, they allow the quality of the soil and therefore the ingredients to shine.
- They put ingredients grown or foraged on their land at the centre, and aim to source 80% of produce, year-round from within 42 miles. This supports the local economy and aims to support a healthy, resilient and regenerative food system. Local means less packaging, less footprint, more seasonal, fresher, and better relationships with our community.
- You can also find more on their website about their Wild Foraging. Agriwilding, Gut Health & Cooking, Regenerative, Organic, & Permaculture Principles.
Self-Catered Stays
Their beautiful accommodation ranges from elegantly simple cottages to luxurious barn conversions. Each is powered by renewable energy and offers a peaceful sanctuary from which to reconnect with nature. These can accommodate from 2 to 9 people.
The Retreats and Event Hire
42 Acres aim to offer their guests an unforgettable, magical experience when attending a retreat. They host a range of beautiful accommodation options - sleeping up to a maximum of 41 guests across 6 buildings, 8 seasonal bell tents and a tiny boat!
Their beautiful indoor group spaces are suitable for a wide-range of activities. They also offer outdoor spaces including a woodland kitchen and sacred fire circle.
They offer whole and half site packages as well as wild retreats under canvas – and are also happy to offer bespoke options.
Whether you're looking for fun activities - or want to get closer to nature, they offer guests the opportunity to gather and reconnect with themselves, with the land, and with the people around them.
So many varied and interesting things are happening at 42 Acres. See www.42acres.com for more information and availability.
Sustainability efforts
42 Acres has a commitment to sustainability that’s been central from its inception. Since 2014, over 5,000 native trees and more than a kilometre of hedges have been planted to help rewild the estate’s grounds, and the owners are working with Heal Somerset and Rewilding Britain to support conservation. Remember, up to 80 per cent of produce is locally sourced or picked by in-house foragers – even the seaweed is hand-collected along the Dorset coast. Waste is also minimised and recycled, single-use plastic banned, bath products are eco-friendly and biodegradable to protect the surrounding wildlife, and cars are electric (although cycling is encouraged rather than driving!)
This really is a wonderful place where the beliefs and aims sit alongside our own at BIBICO. Thanks @42 Acres for allowing us to shoot our AW24 campaign in such a perfect location.
Article By: Georgina Wormald
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