Horse Common is now a living corridor of constant discovery... a lifeline for threatened wildlife and a refuge for us

ONCE the thunderous hunting ground of kings and conquerors, an ancient woodland saved by readers of the Express is now humming with new life.

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In a secluded corner of William the Conqueror's old hunting forest, a forgotten patch of wild England is transforming into a refuge. This is the case not only for some of Britain's most threatened species but also for young people seeking peace far from the relentless pace of city life.

A well-worn path winds through Horse Common, a 93-acre expanse tucked within the New Forest, inviting visitors into a landscape where the natural world is slowly reclaiming its hold.

Thousands of 16 to 24-year-olds have wandered along its woodland trails toward the Victorian Duck Decoy Pond, a tranquil spot which may now host England's largest population of breeding toads.

Come early spring, the waters churn with life. "Their numbers are so huge during breeding season that there are too many to count," says the RSPB's Izzy Williamson, who manages the site. She describes the eerie wonder of witnessing a "sea of eyes" gleaming in the darkness.

At the pond's edge, with nets in hand and eyes wide with curiosity, anxious young minds find stillness in the soothing rhythm of pond dipping, watching creatures scurry and tiny larvae dart between weeds.

'Creatures formerly exiled from these lands are quietly returning to make this place their home'

"We basically encourage young people to come and have residential visits and that really helps their engagement with nature, helps their mental health," says Izzy.

"If they have anxiety when they arrive, they probably still have it when they go, but they've sort of learned coping mechanisms.

"We're hoping that they can go home and know that nature is a safe space, so they can then go to their local park or wherever to have a bit of a breather... and take their love of nature away with them."