Case study: 42 Acres
Case Study: 42 Acres
“It’s about creating experiences that invite connection, rather than consumption.”
—Rozie Edwards, Chief Ecosystem Officer and Lead Steward
The challenge
When Lara and Seth Tabatznik founded 42 Acres, their intention was to create space for transformational change. Hospitality and tourism emerged as part of that vision over time, bringing with it a question: could a business welcoming guests actively restore nature while creating somewhere people wanted to return to? The answer lay in working within the needs of the land and inviting people to experience a landscape deeply, rather than pass through it.
Building regeneration into the foundations
From the outset, biodiversity shaped every decision at 42 Acres. The 173‑acre estate is gently rewilding: meadows are left to grow, ancient woodland is lightly cared for, and nature is supported rather than controlled. Renewable energy from two solar farms and biomass wood‑chip heating enables the site to operate as carbon negative and biodiversity positive.
“The land isn’t a backdrop. It’s the thread that runs through everything we offer.”
—Rozie Edwards
Rewilding and species recovery
Rewilding at 42 Acres balances attentive care with conscious restraint. Soil health is supported, habitats are protected, and space is given for natural processes to lead. Endangered flora, fauna and fungi are being reintroduced, while beavers have been reshaping the landscape for a decade, creating wetlands and wildflower‑rich habitats that support amphibians, birds and small mammals.
Food follows the same logic. Menus change daily in line with the estate’s ‘agriwilding’ approach, where food production and habitat share the land. Partnerships with growers, land practitioners and retreat facilitators ensure regeneration is collaborative rather than controlled.
Connecting visitors with nature
Rather than explaining biodiversity through interpretation panels, 42 Acres invites guests to experience it directly. Retreats such as Listening to the Land, medicinal mushroom workshops, guided rewilding walks and foraging sessions create space for slower, deeper engagement with the landscape.
These experiences turn restoration into the reason to visit, not simply a background benefit.
The impact
The estate’s rewilding approach has led to the return of previously lost species and ongoing collaboration with the Species Recovery Centre to support further reintroductions in the South West. Nearby Fry’s Wood is being restored from Norway Spruce monoculture into native broadleaf woodland — work that has been pre‑selected for the Government’s Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier programme.
By aligning biodiversity and hospitality, 42 Acres has built a strong reputation that attracts repeat guests and a team drawn to values of care, curiosity and stewardship.
Practical steps to build biodiversity into your business
- Spend time on your land understanding what’s there and what small changes could help it thrive.
- Partner with the land, don’t manage it.
- Be patient. Rewilding needs a willingness to drop more conventional approaches.
- Find the right collaborators. Wildlife trusts, rewilding networks and stewardship schemes can offer expertise and sometimes funding.
- Make nature part of the experience. Guided walks and retreats turn biodiversity into a reason to visit.
- Balance access with protection so hospitality and sensitive habitats can coexist.
- Tell the story to build loyalty and help guests feel part of something beyond a holiday.
Explore further
Inspired by what you’ve seen?
Check out the other case studies showing sustainability in action or explore the Regenerative Tourism Guide to learn more ways to stand out from the crowd, inspire staff, enhance visitor loyalty and make your business a force for good.