Into the Woods
Hiddel is an old Northumbrian word meaning a place of protection, a sanctuary, a secret place. The better known Brock is from the Celtic for Badger.
​
Hiddel Brock Wood is a small ancient woodland nature reserve in the wilds of Northumberland, England's northernmost county. It is a sanctuary, not only for brock, but for all the wildlife within it. It's also the inspiration for my nature art, poetry, children's books, and sustainable nature education resources. The nature reserve is entirely privately funded and the income I make from the sale of these goes a little way towards helping to protect this special little piece of the wild.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to get regular news from the wood.
Our Values
All our books, toys and art are inspired by the nature and wildlife in Hiddel Brock Wood, and are largely for children. Protecting our woodlands and the wider natural environment for future generations of wildlife and people is at the heart of everything we do.
Our books are printed in the UK using vegetable based inks on 100% natural recycled, unbleached, carbon-neutral, FSC certified paper. They are unlaminated and uncoated so entirely plastic-free. Whilst these are more expensive to produce, they are sold at the same retail price as unsustainable mass produced books, as we strongly believe that sustainable options need to be accessible and mainstream. These books are currently only available directly from us and a small number of independent book shops and ethical retailers in the UK. They are not available from large online retailers.
​
Whilst we do ship globally, we also currently provide another edition specifically for global customers so there is an option to reduce the environmental impact and cost of shipping. The global edition is printed on demand domestically (in the customer's country) using digital printing. Compared to traditional printing, this reduces supply chain waste and emissions, and conserves natural resources. We do not accept that this is a good enough solution, and we continue to campaign for the significant changes that are needed in the publishing and printing industries, and that would allow us to provide a truly sustainable solution for our global customers outside the UK, As an independent publisher, we are a tiny voice in a huge industry dominated by the 'Big Five' publishing houses, but we have joined the Publishers Association's Publishing Declares Climate Action campaign and remain hopeful that the industry will change.
We handmake resources from sustainable materials, sourced from UK independent suppliers. For those that I can't handmake, such as flashcards and art prints, I use carefully selected UK suppliers that make resources to my high environmental standards. Everything is produced in the UK and UKCA tested where applicable. Only recycled paper is used.
​
Our clothing is GOTS certified organic cotton and produced sustainably using renewable energy throughout the supply chain. All clothing can be returned at end of life to be recycled into more clothing: truly organic, sustainable, circular fashion.
Our income allows us to continue to conserve and protect Hiddel Brock Wood. In addition, we donate to British wildlife charities. We have donated to Cuan Wildlife Rescue (cuanwildliferescue.org.uk registered charity number 1096812), Secret World Wildlife Rescue (secretworld.org registered charity number 4672215) and the Bat Conservation Trust (Registered charity no 1012361)
​
​
Reading for pleasure has a dramatic impact on educational outcomes, wellbeing and social mobility (Book Trust), but not all children have access to books at home. Around 380,000 children in the UK don't have a single book of their own (National Literacy Trust).
Hiddel Brock Wood works with child poverty charities to get more books in the hands of disadvantaged children and improve their educational outcomes, wellbeing and social mobility. We have donated books through Family Gateway (registered charity number number 1144453) and The Children's Book Project (registered charity number 1183092).
​
​
lettoysbetoys.org.uk
Hiddel Brock Wood has been recognised by Let Toys Be Toys for doing the right thing by our children, providing a place to shop where adults and children can enjoy choosing books, toys and clothes without unwelcome sexist messages. Smashing gender stereotypes.
