One of Cornwall’s much-loved woodlands is receiving a funding boost to get more people out in nature with the launch of a new creative, community, and wellness hub.

Tehidy Country Park which is managed by Cornwall Council will see two former estate workers' cottages renovated so it can house new activities to be run by creative and nature-based social prescribing practitioners.

The heritage and regeneration project is being funded by the UK government through a £151,000 award from the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Shared Prosperity Fund.

Located at the park’s Kennels Hill, one of the cottages will be transformed later this year into an artists’ residency with opportunities for artists to apply to base themselves at the cottage for free up until March 2025.

Falmouth Packet: People visit Tehidy woods all year round, with many people enjoying the interaction with squirrels People visit Tehidy woods all year round, with many people enjoying the interaction with squirrels (Image: Amy Johnson)

In a partnership with Creative Kernow, Cornwall Council will be running the residency with further details set to be publicised.

The second cottage will be transformed to become a community wellness centre including a therapy room, space for community events and rentable office areas. It includes a commission for artists to reimagine a derelict Victoria outside toilet building as part of an immersive art project called ‘Poetry Privy’.

These latest initiatives will build on the work of two successful Tehidy-based organisations. The award-winning company Rogue Theatre performs regular shows in the woods and the Remembering Our Roots project offers one-to-one support in the therapeutic nature setting.

Cllr Martyn Alvey, Cornwall’s cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “This funding award will kickstart exciting new ventures to help bring new audiences to Tehidy and encourage more people to get out into nature at this historic site.

“The project takes a heritage-led approach to sustainable regeneration at Tehidy, and we hope it will attract a thriving new regenerative business community at the site, contributing to and promoting the long-term sustainability of this beloved community asset.”