From Overgrown Woodland to One of Formby’s Hidden Gems – Meet the Woman Behind Laurel’s Wood
- Jul 23
- 3 min read
If you’ve ever visited Laurel’s Wood, you’ll know it feels like stepping into another world.
Children are building dens instead of sitting behind screens. Campfires crackle as marshmallows toast over the flames. Families explore woodland trails, schools swap classrooms for nature, and laughter echoes through the trees.
Today, it is one of Formby’s hidden gems.
But none of it would exist without one woman’s vision.
This month, Ceara Byrne, founder of Laurel’s Wood, has been recognised in Lancashire Life magazine for creating something truly special, and her story is every bit as inspiring as the woodland itself.
The idea for Laurel’s Wood was born during the Covid lockdown, after Ceara and her young son moved from London back to Formby.
Like so many local families, they spent hours walking through Formby’s pinewoods and along its beautiful coastline. As the weeks went by, Ceara noticed something remarkable. Her son was changing before her eyes. His confidence grew, his speech improved, he slept better, he became more active and happier, and the simple act of spending time in nature was having a profound effect on his wellbeing.
It sparked a question that would ultimately change the lives of thousands of children.
What if every child had the opportunity to experience this?
Not everyone has a moment in life that changes everything, but when they do, very few people have the courage to act on it.
Ceara did.
She was introduced to an overgrown, privately owned woodland that had been largely untouched for years. Where many people would simply have seen trees, undergrowth and an enormous amount of work, Ceara saw something completely different.
She imagined children learning around campfires.
She imagined schools replacing classrooms with woodland adventures.
She imagined families reconnecting with nature, children building confidence, people improving their wellbeing and a forgotten woodland becoming one of Formby’s greatest community assets.
It was a dream. But dreams do not become reality on their own.
Over the following months, Ceara poured her time, energy and determination into making that vision happen. She worked through planning, environmental studies, woodland management plans, leases and the countless challenges involved in transforming an overgrown woodland into a safe, sustainable and inspiring place for the whole community.
Many people would have given up.
She didn’t.
Today, Laurel’s Wood has become exactly what she imagined and so much more.
Thousands of children and families have walked through its gates. Schools from across the region visit to give pupils the chance to learn in a completely different environment. Forest school sessions teach practical skills, from building shelters and using tools safely to lighting campfires, cooking outdoors and understanding wildlife. Holiday clubs, family events, wellbeing sessions and community activities now fill the calendar throughout the year.
What makes Laurel’s Wood so special is that it is not just about outdoor activities. It is about building confidence, encouraging curiosity, improving mental wellbeing and giving children the freedom to explore, discover and learn through experience.
In a world where many children spend more time looking at screens than climbing trees, Laurel’s Wood offers something increasingly rare and incredibly valuable.
Looking around the woodland today, it is hard to imagine that it all began with one simple question asked by one determined woman while walking through Formby’s pinewoods with her son.
This month’s feature in Lancashire Life is a fitting tribute to Ceara Byrne’s passion, determination and belief that nature has the power to change lives. Her vision has created something that will benefit generations of children and families for years to come, and Formby is incredibly fortunate to have it on its doorstep.
Congratulations to Ceara Byrne on this well deserved recognition, and thank you for believing that one forgotten woodland could become one of the most inspiring places in our community.
Laurel's Wood
Southport Old Rd
Formby
Liverpool
L37 OAN
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Inspitational! I didn’t know it existed until now.