Wildwood Cottage is a UK frugal living channel inspired by wartime rationing, 1940s cookbooks, Dig for Victory gardening, and simple living.
In 2026, I’m taking on a long-term wartime living challenge, following WWII ration books, budget cooking, and make do and mend skills to reduce our food costs, live debt-free, and save towards retirement — while learning from the resilience and wisdom of the past.
Living in rural Wales on the edge of a forest, I garden on a slope in a rainy coastal valley, sharing the real challenges of growing food, cooking from scratch, and living simply during the cost-of-living crisis.
All of this is done with gratitude to God for what we already have.
Here you’ll find:
• Wartime ration cooking
• 1940s food challenges
• Frugal living UK inspiration
• Dig for Victory gardening
• Simple, homemade meals
• No-waste & budget living
You’re very welcome here 🤍
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
"Hi everyone! 🌿
I’ve been working on a special 30-minute video for you today, but the cottage internet is moving a bit like a snail! 🐌
To make sure you get to see it in full HD quality (and because I know many of you enjoy our usual evening routine),
I’ve decided to move the release to tomorrow at 8:00 PM.
I can’t wait to share this one with you—
thank you so much for your patience!
See you tomorrow night. ✨
13 hours ago | [YT] | 13
View 2 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
"We are just 2 subscribers away from 3,000 SUBSCRIBER 🎉🎉🎉
Thank you all for being part of this simple frugal life journey that we are on....Do click subscribe if you havent already & help us get past this new milestone for for our lovely community here."❤️❤️😊😊
See you later for my Pantry tour video...8pm BST this evening...😁😁
20 hours ago (edited) | [YT] | 26
View 8 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
Its very hot here today...so what better weather for moving the field fence to keep the cows out ...🫠🫠🫠 still i wouldn't be without my fence post basher... 😂😂 I've had a litre of water already...🥵🥵 enjoy the lovely sunshine if you have it..its going to be like this all week..🥵🥵
1 day ago | [YT] | 17
View 4 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
The new updated version of my "Proudly Frugal video is now uploaded with the addition of a look at some of the flowers that are blooming in the flower garden
I hope you like it...😊🌿
enjoy the lovely weather this week & see you on Wednesday..❤️❤️😊😊
2 days ago | [YT] | 12
View 2 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
"Hello everyone! 🌸
I noticed my live stream today ended up a bit sideways—technology has a mind of its own sometimes!
I’m currently uploading a 'right side up' version so you can enjoy the garden and our chat properly.
Thank you for your patience! 🎖️"
2 days ago | [YT] | 27
View 4 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
A great video if you are interested in the reasons to grow your own food
there has never been a time when growing your own food has been so valuable in peace time... 😊
https://youtu.be/hG5pQp0QA2U?si=-0lUW...
4 days ago | [YT] | 2
View 0 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
🌿 THE NEVER ENDING PANTRY MASTER LIST 🌿
To help you build your own frugal pantry, here are the 30 staples from the 1st 3-parts of this series:
Part 1: The Foundation
Flour,
Marmite,
Dried Milk,
Porridge Oats,
Sugar,
Golden Syrup,
Dried Fruit,
Wartime Herbs,
Wartime Spices,
Macaroni
Part 2: Fresh Powerhouses
Eggs,
Cheese,
Butter/Cream,
Onions,
Leeks,
Potatoes,
Swede/Turnips,
Cabbage,
Cauliflower/Broccoli,
Apples
Part 3: Dried Staples
Lentils,
Yellow/green Split Peas,
Marrowfat Peas,
Dried Beans,
Rice/Pudding Rice
Soup Mix,
Chickpeas,
Grains
Bulgur Wheat,
Dried Corn
Chickpeas
Pearl Barley
Oat Groats
6 days ago | [YT] | 19
View 8 replies
frugal living wildwood cottage diary
"Stripe and I are having a bit of a 'Slow Living' day today! 🐶
We’re skipping our usual video upload this evening to enjoy the quiet of the cottage, but Part 3 of the Never Ending Pantry will be worth the wait, I promise.
I’ll be back with you all tomorrow at 7:30 PM with my favorite dried staples.
Thank you for all your support—it truly is a blessing to share this journey with you. 🌿"
1 week ago | [YT] | 42
View 14 replies
Load more