Ancient woods are Britain’s richest habitats: rare fragments of our landscape that teem with life from soil to canopy. They live in our collective imagination as quiet places, best left pristine and untouched. But their story has always been one of interdependence with people. With the benefit of over twenty years’ experience rehabilitating ancient woodland, from the Lakes to the Peak District, Luke takes us deep into this hidden world to reveal majestic oaks, freshly coppiced hazels, endangered limes, and the passionate individuals tending them for future generations. As modern woodlanders judiciously cut and fell, the flood of fresh light brings new life and hope to these irreplaceable natural jewels.
Luke Barley
Ancient: Reviving the Woods That Made Britain
Dates, times & booking
- Mon 13 Jul 2026 10.00am - 11.00am
Friends get priority booking on a staggered basis
About Friends Priority Booking
About Friends Priority Booking
Priority Booking
for BIF Friends
To book seats early, join the Friends of Buxton International Festival and become part of our ‘Festival Family’
Tickets are now on sale for La traviata, The Merry Widow and the Jazz Weekender
All other events are on general sale from 14 April 2026
Priority dates are:
17 March – Directors Circle, Benefactors and Gold Patrons
24 March – Patrons
31 March – Gold Friends
7 April – Friends
14 April – Public and Next Gen
Joining our community and becoming a BIF Friend unlocks a whole host of benefits, including priority booking for the festival.
From just £36 per year, become part of the festival you love all year-round.
- Priority booking for all festival events
- Six tiers of membership starting from just £36
- Regular newsletters during the year – via email/post
- Be the first to hear exclusive festival news & announcements
- Special friends events throughout the year: meals, dinners, recitals and more
- Support from friends members have enabled us to grow into one of the UK’s leading opera festivals
- Recognition of your support in the Festival Souvenir Programme Book
If you are under 35 you can join the Next Gen Friends for free, and access £5 tickets to book events and £10 tickets to all other events.





