The Company and Our Investment

Founded in 1999, Woodland Burial Parks aims to set new standards of excellence within the burial market by offering an ecologically friendly alternative to conventional burials and cremation in a woodland environment. The Company currently has three woodland burial parks: Colney Woodland Burial Park, Epping Forrest Burial Park and Chiltern Woodland Burial Park.

In recent years, a lack of burial space has become a major issue for local authorities in the UK. This, combined with a general trend towards a more secular society and the increasing recognition that cremation is damaging to the environment, support the long-term growth prospects of the business model. Since its foundation, the Company has been successful in obtaining planning approval for green belt woodland due to the benefits that the development brings to the environment and the local community.

"Octopus were one of the few venture capital firms who took the trouble to understand Colney Memorial Parks' business model properly. They have since been creative in conceiving solutions to help us meet our financial needs and in sourcing capital for us. We have very much valued their support, wisdom and sound advice."

Nicholas Taylor, MD, Woodland Burial Parks