One day Permaculture Introduction

Learn about permaculture through a practical, immersive day on a thriving permaculture smallholding.

Permaculture is a holistic design system for sustainable living - creating systems that work with nature for minimum effort and maximum effect. The term was coined in the 1970s, drawing on indigenous knowledge developed over generations alongside modern tools and techniques. At its heart, permaculture is about bringing together the best of old and new to design resilient, abundant systems for today.

There’s no better way to learn permaculture than through whole-body learning - being in a real place, seeing systems in action, and connecting with the people who live and work within them.

What to expect

We’ll begin the day with introductions, followed by a clear and accessible introduction to permaculture design - giving you a framework to understand everything you’ll see throughout the day.

You’ll then be guided around the smallholding, exploring a wide range of established systems, including:

• A thriving food forest (edible forest garden) designed to mimic natural ecosystems
• An incredible passive greenhouse featuring an underfloor heating system powered by 26 tonnes of thermal mass
• The home garden
• Innovative eco-buildings and low-impact design approaches
• Compost systems including a wormery, hot bins, weeds and more

Each element of the site offers a different perspective on how permaculture can be applied in practice - helping you imagine what might be possible in your own home, garden, or community.

Composting deep dive

Composting is at the heart of any healthy growing system. You’ll explore different composting methods, understand how they work, and learn how to troubleshoot common issues - whether your compost is too wet, too dry, or slow to break down.

Hands-on and exploratory learning

Throughout the day, you’ll have the chance to:

• Get involved in practical gardening activities
• Explore a curated selection of permaculture books
• Ask questions and share ideas in an open, supportive environment

Shared lunch

Please bring food to share for a communal lunch. This is often one of the highlights of the day - a delicious and varied spread, and a chance to connect with others in a relaxed and friendly setting.

Thinking about the full Permaculture Design Course?

This course is also the first day of the full Permaculture Design Course (PDC), making it an ideal introduction if you're considering going further. You’ll get a real feel for the teaching style, the site, and the learning experience.

Who is this for?

This course is open to everyone - whether you’re completely new to permaculture or already growing and looking to deepen your understanding. No prior experience is needed.

Come and be inspired

By the end of the day, you’ll leave with practical skills, fresh ideas, and a new way of seeing how landscapes and communities  can create our own abundance!