Retired miner turns former gravel pit into thriving wildlife sanctuary and holiday retreat

Anthony Edmondson used his savings to purchase a 130-acre former gravel pit in the Cotswolds during the 1980s, inspired by his time working in remote Canadian wilderness. Over the following years he planted roughly 50,000 trees, sowed wildflowers and introduced reeds, converting the scarred industrial ground into a thriving ecosystem that now attracts breeding and wintering birds. The restored site gained official protection as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and forms part of the broader Cotswolds Water Park, where some lakes support recreation while others remain quiet wildlife zones.

Edmondson’s vision culminated in Log House Holidays, a small resort with eight Finnish-style cabins, each equipped with rowing boats and underfloor heating, allowing guests to explore the lake and surrounding woods. Visitors can also paddleboard, kayak and observe local fauna such as herons, while nearby attractions include the Corinium Museum in Cirencester and the historic source of the River Thames at Trewsbury Mead.