A new nursery focused on outdoor learning, nature and simplicity is set to open its doors later this year – in a house steeped in local history once owned by Lord and Lady Cutler.
Hawkswood Nursery, based in a former staff property within grounds in Gerrards Cross, has been designed with a clear ethos: to bring children back to nature.
From growing vegetables to exploring greenhouses and making mud pies, the setting aims to offer an alternative to what its founder sees as increasingly screen-led early years experiences.
Founder Puja Tharkar said the vision grew out of both her own upbringing and her experiences as a parent.
She said: “I think there really needs to be a little bit of a shift.
“Children are prone to iPads and phones and all sorts of things like that, and I just think we need to take it back.
“When I went to nursery, everything was so simple and sweet. There were none of these distractions.
“Often when you go to nurseries now, there’s no outdoor space – there are TVs, radios, toys, books with music. We just want to simplify things.”
At the heart of Hawskwood Nursery is a strong focus on outdoor learning.
Children will spend time planting and growing vegetables, nurturing flowers and exploring nature first-hand.
She added: “We make mud pies, we grow vegetables, we grow fruit, we grow roses.
“I’m not an expert by any means, but I’ve realised how powerful being outside is.
“When you touch soil, there’s research about how it calms the mind and reduces stress.
"It makes you relaxed.
“That’s something children should experience from a young age.”
The nursery will follow a mix of educational approaches, including the Reggio Emilia philosophy and Nordic-style outdoor learning, both of which encourage exploration, creativity and time spent outdoors.
“The idea behind this nursery is nurture through nature,” she said.
“We want children to feel free and limitless, and to have that independence from a young age.”
Planning permission for the nursery was submitted to Buckinghamshire Council in February 2024 and approved in September 2025.
Since then, interest has been high, with prospective parents visiting the site ahead of its opening, expected in July subject to Ofsted registration.
“We’ve had quite a lot of viewings,” Puja added.
“We even had one parent sign up without seeing it.
“We’re only a 40-place setting, and we’re starting small – we’ve already nearly filled our initial spaces.”
The nursery will prioritise safety and inclusivity, while also accepting funded places.
“Safeguarding is at the forefront of everything we do,” Puja added.
“It’s about creating an environment that is safe for children, but also for staff and parents. We want it to be a safe space where children can really flourish.”
A home with history
The building housing Hawkswood Nursery has its own rich story, stretching back nearly a century.
The wider estate was originally developed between 1925 and 1930 by former owners of Harrods, with extensive grounds that once covered around 66 acres. Today, about 30 acres remain.
The name ‘Hawkswood’ is believed to derive from a figure known locally as “Hawks”, who in earlier times would stop passing horse-drawn carriages along the lane and hide items within the grounds.
In 1966, the property was purchased by Lord and Lady Cutler, prominent figures of their time, before eventually being sold on three decades later.
Puja’s father, Rodney Thakar, explained how the family came to own the house in 1997 after moving from Southall in search of more space.
He said: “We were looking for somewhere with land.
“In Southall [where the Thakar family lived before moving to the area in 1997], the garden was very small.
“A friend told me about this area, and when I came here, I loved it straight away.”
An initial misunderstanding over the asking price almost derailed the purchase, he recalled, before the family realised the true value of the property and moved forward.
“When we came to see the house, Lady Cutler asked how many children I had,” Mr Thakar said. “I told her four. She said, ‘then you will get the house’. She wanted a family to enjoy it.”
Since then, the house has been in the family for nearly 30 years. The building now set to become the nursery was originally used as staff accommodation linked to the main residence.
“This used to be staff quarters,” Puja said.
“We’ve always had it, but it was rented out for a time.
“A couple of years ago my mum said this is a wasted space and children could enjoy it – why don’t we think about making a nursery?”
Despite initial doubts about gaining planning permission, the family decided to pursue the idea.
“My dad always said, if you don’t try, you’ll never know,” she said.
Mr Thakar added that the setting’s natural environment is one of its greatest strengths.
“Once you enter the gate, nobody can come in. There’s a lot of safety,” he said. “And it’s natural – no pollution at all. That’s a big advantage.”
Family inspiration
The project has also been driven by strong family influence, particularly from Puja’s grandfather, Prabhudasbhai Jamnadas Ruparelia, whose encouragement stayed with her throughout the planning process.
“He said to me, ‘you can do it’,” she said. “And when we got planning approval, I went straight to tell him and my grandmother.
“Even though he’s not here anymore, he guided me in so many ways. I genuinely think without his encouragement, I wouldn’t have created this.”
With its combination of history, family roots and a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, Hawkswood Nursery is now preparing to welcome its first children.
For Puja, the goal is simple: to give children the kind of upbringing she remembers.
She said: “I want them to feel happy, confident and connected.
“If we can make even a small difference, that’s everything.”
