Award-winning wildlife cameraman James Aldred has documented the planet's most spectacular natural phenomena, but his passion ultimately led him back to a cherished corner of England: the New Forest. Aldred recounts his journey of acquiring and restoring a Romany wagon in his book, 'A Wagon in the Woods,' which a reviewer described as an 'Enid Blyton adventure story for grown-ups.'
Aldred, who grew up near the 71,000-acre New Forest in Hampshire, always felt a deep connection to the area. As a teenager, he spent nights camping in the woods with his parents' permission. He views the forest's continued existence in densely populated southern England as remarkable.
Even while filming condors in Patagonia or tracking elephants in the Congo, Aldred harbored a dream of owning a piece of the New Forest. Land in the area is seldom available, and obtaining planning permission for construction is exceedingly difficult. Aldred's goal was not to build a house, but to secure a small plot where his three sons could experience the outdoor adventures he cherished in his youth.
His search gained urgency when he received a Romany wagon as a gift from a family friend. Built around 1910, the horse-drawn wagon was once an elegant structure with distinctive wooden shutters and a curved porch. By the time Aldred acquired it, the wagon was in a state of disrepair.
The Restoration Project
The book chronicles Aldred's more than ten-year endeavor to rebuild the wagon. He embraced a philosophy of reinventing tradition rather than strictly adhering to historical designs. His approach was to "keep the spirit of tradition alive. Reinvent it, make it up, put your own stamp on the wagon and enjoy it."
During moments of doubt about the project's completion, Aldred would envision the wagon in its New Forest setting. His persistence paid off when a pristine field, complete with a stream, became available. This site later offered Aldred the opportunity to photograph visiting otters.
A Family Sanctuary
By the summer of 2025, Aldred's sons were able to sleep in the restored wagon, while Aldred, his wife, and their dog camped in a tent. The wagon, painted in blending shades of green and yellow, appeared at home in the field. Witnessing his sons explore and play in the forest, echoing his own childhood experiences, brought Aldred a sense of fulfillment and a feeling of life coming full circle.
The book is noted for its evocative portrayal of the New Forest's unique atmosphere, suggesting that profound life and history are deeply embedded within the landscape, much like ancient roots.