Wild & Other offers beautiful, sustainable holiday cottages set in a rewilding sanctuary, where you can rest, and unwind at your leisure.
Wild & Other Ltd was founded in November 2022 by a group of friends fuelled by a shared passion for the energising, inspiring, and healing power of the outdoors and a collective concern about climate change and the natural environment.
In April 2023, Wild & Other acquired its first location, Cow Close Farm, based in Cutthorpe, just outside Chesterfield and on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Wild & Other is creating three beautiful, sustainable holiday lets set in 20 acres of land.
Cow Close Farm offers restorative stays in beautifully designed, sustainable holiday cottages. Guests are invited to unplug, unwind, and reset while supporting the rewilding project focusing on biodiversity and land preservation.
It’s amazing what can happen when like-minded friends come together. Steve Coles, the lead visionary of Wild & Other, and Emily Coles, a renowned interior designer, joined forces with Matt Leeder, the site manager, and co-visionary, to create a space where people—and the environment, can thrive.
Steve has worked for more than 20 years in charities and social enterprises that help tackle some of society’s most intractable problems – homelessness, addiction, and health inequality in particular. He was CEO of SCT, an addictions recovery and homeless charity in east London, before setting up Wild & Other.
As an experienced social sector leader, he holds a range of advisory, board, and trustee roles. Wild & Other is a long way from London, and his initial studies in Human Cybernetics at the University of Reading, but one can’t help but think that perhaps rewilding the land and inviting others to enjoy the space Wild & Other has created, is perhaps Steve’s true calling.
With a steady hand and a passionate fascination with how the spaces we inhabit affect our mood, Emily’s touch can be seen across Wild & Other’s cottages and shared areas. And we mustn’t forget to mention Emily’s drive to include sustainability and ecological advancement at every turn.
Matt Leeder worked in the UK Youth sector for many years as a Training Programme Manager and a Youth Leadership Specialist, prior to joining Wild & Other. He’s the person to find when something needs to be done at Wild & Other – and is looking forward to applying his considerable experience of community-based work to the project.
Cow Close Farm is located in Chesterfield, right at the edge of the Peak District in the UK.
You can reach Chesterfield in just over an hour by train from Manchester Piccadilly Station.
If you’re travelling from London, you can get to Chesterfield in under two hours by train.
Be mindful of travelling via train on UK public holidays and long weekends. The train schedules are often in disarray and it might mean changing trains mid-journey, adding time to your trip.
The long-term vision for Wild & Other includes offering a range of retreats and wellbeing events lead by experienced counsellor and therapist, Michelle Leeder, who specialises in creating spaces that are safe for people to become self-aware, and relaxed.
On top of that, Cow Close Farm intends to become a haven for wildlife and nature, more so than it is already, as well as a peaceful and rejuvenating place for friendly humans to stay, visit, and just be themselves.
Three new ponds will be dug in the autumn of 2024 to create habitats for the Great Crested Newt, a priority and protected species, with the earth dug out during the pond creation being used to create bee banks for solitary bees to nest in. In the UK, there are about 270 species of bees and 250 of those live solitary lives, not in hives.
Wild & Other would also like to find a second site to increase the amount of land being managed for nature to flourish and to create new opportunities for people to find rest, healing, and joy.
At its first location, on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Cow Close Farm is a 20-acre site offering restorative stays in beautifully designed, sustainable holiday cottages. Guests are invited to unplug, unwind, and reset while supporting the rewilding project that has a focus on biodiversity and land preservation.
Under the watchful eye of experienced interior designer, Emily Coles, Wild & Other’s holiday cottages have been thoughtfully renovated and sympathetically refurbished with modern, luxurious fittings to create cosy, comfortable, and inviting spaces, perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.
The self-catering accommodation is well equipped and offers relaxing views over the surrounding gardens and fields. Both cottages are dog friendly with free on-site parking with electric vehicle charging available.
The cottages offer restful spaces for people to experience the beauty around them and leave inspired and thirsty for more. A short break here is restorative, calming and affords ample opportunity to reconnect with nature. Guests are free to explore the 20-acre site at their leisure.
Wild & Other is working closely with experienced local ecologist, Julie Riley, on the rewilding project. Based on Julie’s expert advice and careful planning, the site is being managed to encourage certain species of rare birds, small mammals, insects, amphibians, trees, and flowers to flourish.
Although in its infancy, the project is already seeing lots of promising signs of success, seen, in part by barn owls and sparrow hawks returning. Part of the plan has been to expand the ancient woodland located on the land, with species-rich hedgerows providing vital habitats for creatures vulnerable to the changing climate.
Wild & Other’s strong commitment to sustainable and ethical sourcing, means their suppliers have been carefully hand-picked.
Right down to your morning coffee, which is from B Corp Certified, Chimney Fire Coffee, a quality producer that supports ethical and eco-friendly practices, from farm to cup in 100% compostable and recyclable packaging, ensuring your stay is of the highest quality.
Toilet paper and kitchen rolls are supplied by Who Gives A Crap, another certified B Corporation, which donates 50% of profits to clean water and sanitation non-profits around the world.
Electricity is supplied by Octopus Energy (also a B Corporation) and is from 100% renewable sources.
“Certified B Corporations, or B Corps, are companies verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.”
Wild & Other is located not far from Cutthorpe, a sleepy, picturesque village in North East Derbyshire. Situated just three miles from the historic market town of Chesterfield and on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park. Many of Derbyshire’s most popular tourist attractions are within easy reach of the Wild & Other cottages and larger accommodations, such as Chatsworth House which is just seven miles away.
The closest village has two pubs, including The Peacock which serves freshly cooked food and has an attractive beer garden with a children’s play area.
There is a range of accommodations available at Wild & Other, with a large Farmhouse available to book from mid-October 2024, which will sleep eight across four bedrooms.
Guests can book a combination of the three Wild & Other properties together for a single cottage for up to a total of fifteen guests, perfect for celebrating special occasions.
The larger of two cottages within the Wild & Other barn conversion, Oak is a relaxing and inviting three-bedroom space, that can sleep up to five guests. There is a master bedroom with a king size bed, a twin room with two single beds, and a third room with one single bed. You can be sure to have some peace in the bathroom as well, due to there being three bathrooms in Oak Cottage.
Prices start at: £340 for a 2 night stay.
You can book Oak Cottage on the Wild & Other website: wildandother.com
One of two cottages within a barn conversion, Hickory Cottage is a pleasant one bedroom cottage that blends the rustic old qualities of the original barn with modern amenities.
Prices start at: £240 for a 2 night stay.
You can book Hickory Cottage on the Wild & Other website: wildandother.com
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