A Wagon In The Woods with James Aldred
THE PIG | Wednesday 9th September 2026The nature writer and award-winning wildlife cameraman for David Attenborough will be heading to our house for an afternoon of seasonal food and seriously inspiring stories. Join us for a two-course lunch with Piggy Bits, generously poured wines and fantastic conversation, in celebration of James’ brand-new book, A Wagon in the Woods.
12:15pm - 3pm
£75 per person
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James Aldred
James grew up on the edge of the New Forest and spent his teenage years exploring it. By fifteen he was building forest shelters, sleeping rough in the woods and spending much of his time up in the branches of trees.
These days, he works in the treetops as an Emmy award-winning wildlife cameraman working regularly with National Geographic and the BBC, collaborating on many landmark natural history programmes with David Attenborough.
He is also the author of The Man Who Climbs Trees and Goshawk Summer, for which he won the Wainwright Prize for Nature Writing 2022. He lives with his family near Bristol and enjoys returning to the Forest to share it with his wife and sons whenever he can.
How the afternoon will unfold…
First things first...
We’ll warmly welcome you inside THE PIG-in the New Forest with a glass of fizz and a few moreish Piggy Bits to whet your appetite before settling in for a conversation with James - hosted by THE PIG’s very own Head of Publicity, Emma Cripwell.
Table talk...
You’ll then get settled in our cosy restaurant and listen in to the talk with James, as he and Emma delve into his extraordinary work and the inspiration behind his latest book A Wagon in the Woods.
From restoring a forgotten Romani wagon to rediscovering the wildlife and history of the New Forest, James shares the stories behind the pages, along with the people, places and wildlife that brought them to life. There'll be time for audience questions too.
About the book...
A Wagon in the Woods is James Aldred's beautifully evocative memoir of restoring a forgotten Romani wagon while reconnecting with the landscape that first sparked his love of nature. Along the way, he meets master craftspeople, uncovers the rich history of the New Forest and spends time amongst its extraordinary wildlife, making it a heartfelt celebration of people, place and the wild corners of Britain.
Following the conversation...
We'll be serving a seasonal two-course lunch paired with carefully chosen wines. Expect dishes inspired by the surrounding countryside and plenty of ingredients picked fresh from our Kitchen Garden and sourced from our local suppliers.
Before you head home...
If you'd like, you'll have the chance to pick up a copy of A Wagon in the Woods and continue the conversation before heading off, hopefully with a little more appreciation for the landscapes right on our doorstep.
When, where, how much…
When & Where?
Join us on Wednesday 9th September 2026, from 12.15pm to 3pm, at THE PIG-in the New Forest in Brockenhurst for an afternoon of stories, seasonal food and conversation with James Aldred.
How much?
£75 per person - book your spot today here.
What's included?
Your afternoon includes a glass of English Fizz on arrival paired with moreish Piggy Bits, an inspiring conversation between James Aldred and Emma Cripwell, the chance to ask your own questions during the live Q&A, followed by a seasonal two-course lunch with paired wines, all enjoyed in true THE PIG style.
Handy things to note...
We'll be seating guests at our sociable sharing tables, so it's a lovely chance to meet fellow book lovers over lunch.
If you have any dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of your visit so our kitchen team can look after you.
As much as we love your four-legged friends, we kindly ask that they stay at home for this event.
Photography and video recording may take place at this event for promotional purposes by THE PIG. If you prefer not to appear in photos or video, please let us know in advance or speak to a staff member on the day. Full privacy details are available here: https://www.thepighotel.com/privacy-policy/
Make a night of it
The wine will be generously poured, so we suggest you order a taxi… or better still, book a room – so you can truly make the most of the lunch and switch-off in the heart of the New Forest after the event!
