A heartfelt ode to the natural world, The Calm Place is Jackie Kirkham’s story of finding meaning in the simplest of places. As the nation enters lockdown, Jackie chronicles a year observing and discovering the tiny ecosystem of her Scottish garden as she relearns how to appreciate and cherish the plants and animals that share her space.

From scheming pigeons to ninja slugs, exuberant flowers to acrobatic sparrows, she finds abundance and wonder in the ordinary. Her reflections offer a profound reminder of the resilience and beauty of life, even in the face of adversity.

The Calm Place captures a moment when everyday life was shattered and so many of us reconsidered our relationship with nature. Rediscovering the natural world amidst the realities of modern life, it invites the reader to slow down and find delight in simple things: solace, connection and hope.

Jackie Kirkham

Books