Gateway to Nature: A volunteering perspective

As both a local resident and the Volunteering & Culture Manager at Earth Trust, I’ve seen first-hand how much the Wittenham Clumps landscape means to people. For many of us who live nearby, these hills are part of our daily rhythms — places for dog walks, fresh air, family time, or a moment of calm after a busy day. Wittenham Clumps isn’t just a view; it’s woven into people’s lives.

When I speak to volunteers, supporters and neighbours, I’m reminded that this is a place to connect, to discover and to simply be. That’s exactly why the Gateway to Nature project matters so much to me.

Why the Gateway to Nature matters

More than 200,000 visits are made to the Clumps every year — for picnics, sledging, school trips and weekend walks. As Didcot and surrounding communities grow, so does the need for accessible countryside. The existing lane to the Earth Trust Centre is narrow, often congested, and not well equipped for coaches, tractors, cyclists and pedestrians all sharing the same space.

Our volunteers care deeply about how we manage visitors, and about striking the right balance between protecting nature and welcoming people in. For families or those new to the outdoors, small things — knowing where to park, finding the toilets, or grabbing a coffee — can make all the difference. That’s why the Gateway to Nature project starts with the basics: safe access, clear waymarked paths, good facilities and a warm welcome. With those barriers removed, Wittenham Clumps becomes a place for everyone.

Crucially, the landscape will continue to offer wide skies and quieter, less-trodden paths for those who value solitude in nature.

The vital role of volunteers

Volunteering sits at the heart of everything we do at Earth Trust, and as construction gets underway, our volunteers have played a crucial role in preparing the site.

One of the most significant pieces of work has been the installation of newt fencing and support with safely trapping and relocating great crested newts, ensuring they could be returned to our ponds before construction began. This behind-the-scenes work has been essential in allowing the project to progress responsibly and with wildlife protection at its core.

Our land management volunteers have also helped prepare the land for new walkways, plant trees for our agroforestry project and establish a new orchard group. With their support, fruit from our orchards can be managed and used in our café, farm shop and potentially veg boxes too.

Hedgelaying volunteers continue to survey, restore and plant hedgerows across Earth Trust land, strengthening vital wildlife corridors, while a dedicated group of surveyors monitors butterflies, birds, reptiles, habitats and insects here and across our seven community nature reserves in South Oxfordshire.

Alongside this, volunteers support us in the office, help maintain the Centre, welcome visitors, grow vegetables in our Edible Classroom, teach children about nature and local heritage, and support the many events we host throughout the year.

Many of our volunteers are also local residents, which makes their contribution especially meaningful. Their insight, care and commitment help shape our approach and keep us closely connected to the community we serve.

What’s next for the Gateway to Nature project?

We’re now in a highly visible stage of the project:

• Construction of the new access track and car park is underway
• Site enabling works, landscaping and soil movement are in progress
• A new seven-day-a-week café and shop are planned to open in September, alongside the redesigned car park and new access route from Sires Hill

This phase will bring noticeable change and some temporary disruption, but it also marks the moment when long-held plans begin to take physical shape.

Looking ahead

For me, Gateway to Nature isn’t just a construction project — it’s a commitment to our community and to a landscape shaped by thousands of years of human experience. It’s about ensuring that the next child running down the hillside, or the next volunteer planting a tree, finds a place that feels welcoming and full of possibility.

I’m endlessly grateful to our volunteers for walking this journey with us. From learning new skills to forming lasting friendships, I hope Gateway to Nature continues to be a place where people create connections and memories that endure.

Your time, care and passion are bringing the Gateway to Nature to life in the most meaningful way.