Rooted in a place, they are designed to transport you there, a source of constant inspiration. Habitats such as woodland and water meadow thread through to create collections that celebrate the nature we cherish – from the rolling Cotswold hills that envelop Thyme, situated in the heart of an area of outstanding natural beauty, to wild spaces in far-flung corners of the world.

The Golden Thread

Sitting in the summer water meadows at Thyme, you can hear the call of the reed warbler. Small, buff-coloured birds, and weighing about 13 grams, they are easily missed unless you are looking for them. Migrating from sub-Saharan Africa, reed warblers form monogamous pairs building their nests rather like hammocks between the reeds that flourish on the banks of the River Leach.

Having lived here for years, we had never noticed our feathery visitors in such detail until we became involved with the British Trust for Ornithology’s bird ringing project. This revealed an astonishing diversity of wildlife and so clearly demonstrated just how important our wild spaces are for nature. The fact that these birds had flown many thousands of miles to spend the summer and breed here in our water meadow enthralled us.

And they are not the only ones: the hobby (one of Britain’s smallest raptors), martins, swallows, swifts, and cuckoos join them on their long journey.

It was a moment when we realised that in conserving wild spaces for nature to thrive at Thyme, we are in turn helping wildlife in far-flung wild lands. There is a golden thread that joins us to Sub-Saharan Africa, the wetlands of the Okavango or the grasslands of South Africa. How wonderful is that?

Caryn Bertioli Hibbert

Founder of Thyme

Our Water Meadows

Thyme is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and our water meadows are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). They are the flood plains of the River Leach, a chalk stream, rising from limestone bedrock as a spring in the Cotswold village of Hampnett. From Hampnett, it runs to Northleach and beyond as a seasonal bourn until it reaches the village of Eastleach where it becomes a river, flowing all year round.

Our water meadows have a series of historic ditches and sluice gates that were used to control the flow of water during the summer months. In the winter much of the meadows can be covered with flood waters; every year is different.

Traditionally, the meadow’s rich grasslands are grazed seasonally by cattle. Our meadows have areas that have never been cultivated, displaying a rich tapestry of wild grasses and flowers. Home to an amazing diversity of wildlife and covering over forty acres, the river and wetlands are a source of constant inspiration.

Woodlands

Woodlands are rich and diverse habitats, from the treetop canopy to the forest floor, bathing in dappled light they are magical places. Most importantly, trees are the lungs of the earth, playing a vital role in sequestering carbon from the atmosphere. Our future is inextricably linked to theirs.

The humble hedgerow is a defining feature of the British countryside, a tangle of shrubs, brambles and trees create meandering woodland across the landscape.

Grasslands

From wildflower meadows to the flood plains of the Okavango, grasslands are vitally important wild spaces across the world. Through migratory bird life, these spaces are intrinsically connected to one another.

In the UK, meadowlands are arguably our most biodiverse habitat. The meadows at Thyme are the flood plains of the River Leach, forming an important habitat supporting a huge diversity of wild flora and fauna.

Gardens

Every outdoor space can give a home to nature and creating wildlife-friendly spaces in our gardens and parks for nature to thrive is so important.

Cultivated with birds and bees in mind, our country gardens form a series of walled courtyards, lawns, and ponds. From the honey-coloured stone walls, borders of planting that provide nectar-rich food, patches of lawn left uncut, ponds and water features, to the trees and hedges that are the homes and shelters of birds and mammals. 

Waters

Protecting and conserving the earth's blue spaces is key to supporting ecosystems and human health. Around eighty-eight percent of the ocean’s surface is now polluted by plastic waste, with around 5.25 trillion macro and microplastic pieces floating in the open ocean.

Looking after our oceans, streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds is not only intrinsic to a stable environment, but these spaces are also fundamentally linked to our health, bodies, and minds.

Partners & Projects

1% for the planet

Proudly part of ‘1% For The Planet’, Bertioli by Thyme is committed to donating 1% of our revenue to environmental causes, giving back to the planet and allowing the nature that inspires us to thrive.

As a globally recognised brand, 1% for the Planet ensures our environmental giving is credible and respected.

West Oxfordshire Farmland Bird Project

West Oxfordshire Farmland Bird Project is run by a small team of volunteers to promote conservation, research and engagement with several local farmers and landowners. The project aims to help turn around the worrying declines in farmland bird populations seen in the UK over the last 50 years, through the promotion of wildlife-friendly management practices, environmental stewardship options and awareness of challenges faced by farmland birds throughout their life cycles. Over the last five years the project has worked on a large number of farms on the conservation of several key species, including Corn Buntings, Yellowhammers, Reed Buntings, Tree Sparrows and Barn Owls.

Tusk

We work with Tusk to promote the conservation of wild spaces at a time when biodiversity needs protecting more than ever. Tusk was founded 30 years ago to safeguard the wildlife and habitats of Africa. Through our many successful partnerships we have helped pioneer an impressive range of conservation initiatives across 20 African countries, increasing vital protection for over 70 million hectares of land and more than 40 threatened species.

Plantlife


Plantlife is a British conservation charity working nationally and internationally to save threatened wild flowers, plants and fungi.

Advising Thyme on meadow management, Plantlife ensure we manage our gardens and wild spaces with knowledge and expertise, supporting us in our ambition to develop a haven for wildlife and wildflowers alike.