Background
Wishanger Wellness a charity (reg no 12088834), established in 2024 by David and Liz Wenman. The Wenmans, who have had the 60 acre Tara’s Farm (Reeds Road, Frensham) site for over 30 years, transferred ownership to Wishanger Wellness in early 2025.
The 60 acres are split roughly 50/50 between pasture and forestry with the forestry being a mix of chestnut coppice and Scots pine (with some of the Scots pine on replanted ancient woodland).
Tara’s Farm has been maintained with no herbicide, pesticide or fertiliser. The site is fenced with coppiced chestnut from the site. Further, it was previously certified Organic by the Soil Association. Tara’s Farm was transferred to Wishanger Wellness conditional on the land being managed sustainably.
Tara’s Farm is being set up as a community project that can be enjoyed by those who would benefit most from being there and to ensure the habitat and environment is protected for generations to come.
Wishanger Wellness was set up with a charitable purpose to promote and protect physical and mental health through providing opportunities to access open space and harnessing the healing power of the natural environment (ecotherapy) .
Vision for Tara’s Farm
The vision is in two parts which are intrinsically linked. Firstly habitat enhancement and secondly the introduction of sustainable ecotherapy services being provided from Tara’s Farm.
Habitat Enhancement
Wishanger Wellness is undertaking a programme of habitat enhancement and biodiversity increase.
Heathland Connections
We are working with Surrey Wildlife Trust as part of the Heathlands Connections initiative. The first phase of the work is to clear the invasive rhododendron from the eastern woodland and then to remove Scots pine in accordance with the Forestry Commission 10 year woodland management plan.
The aim is to connect the heathland with the RSPB site at the adjoining Farnham Heath. Wishanger Wellness will work with Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Trust and Surrey and SW London Butterfly Conservation to maximise habitat potential for movement, health and populations of reptiles and invertebrates.
Wildlife Corridors
With the proximity to RSPB Farnham Heath and the Countryside Regeneration Trust Pierrepont Farm Wishanger Wellness is working with Surrey Wildlife Trust to identify and build wildlife corridors to support biodiversity gain and increase ecosystem resilience.
In conjunction with Surrey Council Wishanger Wellness is developing a several year plan to the identify where and which trees to plant. It is anticipated that in Autumn 2025 around 2000 whips will be supplied and planted at Tara’s Farm as part of Surrey County Council’s goal to plant 1.2 million trees.
Biodiversity
Surrey Botanical Society has undertaken a full site survey of species on site. Wishanger Wellness intends to work with other groups such as Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, Surrey Reptile group, Surrey Dormouse Group, Surrey and SW London Butterfly Conservation, Surrey Bat Group and Surrey Bird Group to undertake surveys of the site to record species on site.
These surveys will be a benchmark to measure biodiversity enhancement and the removal of fragmentation and enhancement of the connectivity within the site and of the site to its neighbours.
Ecotherapies
Wishanger Wellness intends to develop a community garden and is taking advice from Thrive. Thrive is the leading UK charity providing therapeutic horticulture and has been changing peoples’ lives at its sites across the UK for over 40 years using horticulture to bring positive change to people living with disabilities or ill health or who are isolated, disadvantaged or vulnerable.
Subject to planning permission being granted, Wishanger Wellness will host Change of Scene on several acres of pasture on a long lease to provide animal assisted learning for young people struggling with education.
The Burrow hosts a small number events each year at Tara’s Farm where people come together to heal, transform, connect and celebrate.
Wishanger Wellness Charity has identified many complementary ecotherapy opportunities that the farm can offer, in addition to managing the woodlands and farmland in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way. It will establish new activities in a carefully managed and timely way to ensure the openness and unique nature of Tara’s Farm is preserved.
Q&A
How big is the site?
The 60 acres are split roughly 50/50 between pasture and forestry with the forestry being a mix of chestnut coppice and Scots pine (with some of the Scots pine on replanted ancient woodland).
Will it be open to the public?
No, the site will exclusively be available for ecotherapy to charities, groups or community interest companies (CICs), and it will not be open to the general public, nor cater for large numbers of users
What is ecotherapy?
There is no set definition of what ecotherapy is. Wishanger Wellness would describe it as using nature and the natural environment and access to open space in a sustainable way to facilitate healing and wellbeing.
Other charities might describe it differently and talk of the connection between human mental health and the natural environment, community connection and cohesion, or promoting positive environmental views. What is indisputable is that the connection with nature can promote personal wellbeing and here at Tara’s Farm we aim to use this connection to improve the habitat to enhance biodiversity and connectivity of habitats.
Ecotherapy can be a wide range of activities such as social and therapeutic horticulture, animal assisted learning or therapy, conservation projects, wellness events such as fireside guided conversations, woodland creative workshops or bushcraft activities – the list is endless.
The People Behind
David Wenman
Chairman
Liz Wenman
Trustee
Kate Freeman
Trustee