`If we had never before looked upon the earth, but suddenly came to it man or woman grown, set down in the midst of a summer mead, would it not seem to us a radiant vision? The hues, the shapes, the song and life of birds, above all the sunlight, the breath of heaven, resting on it; the mind would be filled with its glory unable to grasp it, hardly believing that such things could be mere matter ... too beautiful to be long watched lest it should fade away.'

from 'Wild Flowers', The Open Air

The Richard Jefferies Society

Founded 1950


Richard Jefferies, writer and naturalist, was born in 1848 at Coate near Swindon. He died at Goring by Sea, Sussex in 1887. The Society, which has members in all parts of the world, exists to help and encourage the study of Jefferies' work. Newsletters with information about the writer, current events, publications and services are circulated to members. In addition they receive a copy of the Society's Journal containing hitherto unpublished writing by Jefferies, new articles, research, and book reviews.

There are meetings for rallies, readings and discussions, as well as visits to places associated with the writer. The Society has a special concern for such places as the writer's birthplace, Coate Water, Liddington Hill, and the memorial stone on Burderop Down, all in Wiltshire. Other places of pilgrimage are at Surbiton, Sydenham and Eltham near London, and at Brighton, Crowborough, Worthing and Goring, Sussex. His grave is in Broadwater Cemetery at Worthing.

I no longer have contact information for the Society. Sorry.

The Richard Jefferies Museum

The farmhouse at Coate houses the museum. This is where Richard Jefferies was born and played as a boy. It is open on certain Sundays from May to September, 2-5 pm. Admission free. It is owned by and maintained by the Borough of Swindon. For dates of opening please ring (in the UK) 01793 466556.
Books by Richard Jefferies
Simon Coleman has created a website with considerably more material about Jefferies, including links to the text of some of his books: click here.