Growing Roots - our residential permaculture design course

Many of us feel it at some point — a quiet sense that the way we are living is not the only way, and perhaps not the wisest way either.

Permaculture offers another path. One that invites us back into relationship with the living world, and asks how we might meet our needs with greater care, intelligence and responsibility.

Growing Roots is a residential Permaculture Design Course created for those who feel ready to explore that path — whether you are just beginning, or finally answering a call you have felt for years.

Over our time together, we’ll explore how the patterns and intelligence of natural systems can guide the way we design our homes, landscapes, livelihoods and communities. Expect a rich blend of practical learning, thoughtful conversation, hands-on experience, and time to reflect.

Following the UK Permaculture Association curriculum, we’ll cover soil health, food growing, trees and perennial systems, plant knowledge and propagation, natural building, preserving the harvest, social permaculture, and regenerative design thinking. Throughout the course you’ll be guided step-by-step through the full design process, culminating in a group project where everything begins to weave together.

You’ll leave with an internationally recognised Permaculture Design Certificate — and, more importantly, with the confidence and clarity to begin shaping meaningful change in your own life.

A table with various illustrated hexagonal tokens, crayons, and drawings on the wood surface, with some mugs, cups, a tablet, and hands in the background, and a message in blue chalk that reads 'Energy flows where attention goes.'
Close-up of dried mushrooms in a glass jar on a wooden table, with a blurred person in background.
Group of people seated around a table with papers, books, and coffee mugs, in a lush greenhouse or garden setting with green leaves overhead and sunlight filtering through.
A basket filled with various fresh leafy vegetables and herbs, including kale, snap peas, and other greens.
A table with various fresh vegetables including yellow onions, red tomatoes, and green tomatoes. There are jars, bottles, and containers with liquids, and a cloth-covered item stored on the table.
A man with glasses and tattoos is drawing a diagram of a worm and related biological terms on a blackboard, while two young girls watch and smile.

The rhythm of our time together

We create a learning space that feels relaxed, welcoming and thoughtfully held.

Our days balance theory and practice, discussion and reflection, structure and spaciousness. We learn not only with the mind, but through the hands and the senses.

Permaculture reaches far beyond the garden — it invites us to consider how we care for the earth, for one another, and for ourselves. People often arrive hoping to gain practical skills. They leave with those — and with something deeper too: steadiness, direction, and renewed possibility.

You may feel at home here if you are…

  • longing to live more lightly and responsibly

  • dreaming of growing food or tending land

  • considering a life or career shift

  • wanting greater resilience for yourself or your family

  • seeking practical skills for changing times

  • drawn to community, connection and purposeful work

Beginners are wholeheartedly welcome, and those with experience often find the course brings new integration. You don’t need land — only curiosity and a willingness to see differently.

Two men sitting in a greenhouse with green plants in the background. The man in front holds a white chicken on his lap, wearing a gray t-shirt with colorful text. The man in the background has dark curly hair and beard, wearing a dark shirt, and is resting his chin on his hand.
Children and adults sit around a wooden table outdoors, engaged in an activity, with art supplies and colorful markers on the table, in a lush garden setting.

Families

As parents ourselves, we know how significant it is to find learning spaces that can welcome the whole of life.

Families are invited to stay alongside us. Teaching is designed for adults, so children will need a second parent, friend or caregiver during class hours. While we don’t provide any childcare, children and caregivers can camp onsite free of charge and make the most of our beautiful location for local adventures offsite whilst we are immersed in learning. We only ask for a contribution towards food if sharing meals together.

Evenings often unfold around shared meals, firesides and easy conversation. For those travelling alone, there are quiet spaces too — and you will find your place here with ease.

Reserve your place

The land

We gather at Cynefin Farm, our smallholding in the North Pembrokeshire National Park, held between mountain and sea.

Once an abandoned garden centre, the land is slowly being listened back into life — no-dig gardens, young forest systems, soil restoration and a growing community garden. It is a place still becoming, and therefore a beautiful teacher.

Camping is included, with composting toilets and a warm shower. All meals are provided using fresh, seasonal produce from the farm and local growers wherever possible.

You’ll wake to birdsong and sleep beneath wide, dark skies.

A Siamese cat sleeping on a bed of straw in a garden with green plants, flowers, and a group of people in the background.
“I realise that the universe brought me here at just the right time and I’m so happy I did it with you and no other teacher. Thank you so much, you changed my life and my heart”
— Pixie, course participant, 2023
“The course was just superb - really well thought out, amazing responsiveness to our needs, and dynamics of the group energy. Amazing breadth of content and depth of coverage. Beautiful space and such kindness and welcoming energy. So appreciate being able to share this experience with you and the group. ”
— Emily, 2023 course participant

Course Dates 2026

The course spans 12 days and is thoughtfully paced across three long weekends, each about a month apart over the summer. Teaching takes place from Friday through Monday, with arrivals on Thursday evening to allow time to settle in before we begin.

Weekend One
3rd–6th July
Arrivals on 2nd July

Weekend Two
31st July–3rd August
Arrivals on 30th July

Weekend Three
28th–31st August
Arrivals on 27th August

Watercolor painting of a flying swallow with black, beige, and red colors
Watercolor illustration of a bird in flight with long tail feathers and a red patch on its head.
Reserve your place

Course fees

We recognise that everyone arrives with different financial circumstances. To help keep this course accessible while also sustaining the work, we offer a tiered pricing structure and invite you to choose the tier that feels manageable and honest for your situation.

Choosing a supported tier is genuinely welcome if that is what makes your participation possible, while those able to select a higher tier help support wider accessibility and the long-term sustainability of this work.

Tier 1 – Supported / Concession
£825

Tier 2 – Standard
£950

Early Booking Rate (Standard Tier)
£895

Early booking is available until the end of March, or until a number of places have been reserved.

Tier 3 – Supporter / Pay It Forward
£1,100


If you’re unsure where you might sit, the infographic here offers some guidance.

Chart titled 'The Green Bottle' illustrating personal financial levels with three labeled bottles for different financial tiers. Each bottle contains statements describing financial situations and ability to meet basic needs. Tier 3 emphasizes basic needs satisfaction and financial security, Tier 2 highlights some savings and reliable transportation, while Tier 1 discusses financial stress and limited resources.

teaching team

A woman with a braid, smiling, wearing a large straw sun hat, standing outdoors with sunlight and trees in the background.

Nim Robins

Nim will be the lead teacher on this course holding the main course structure and learning activities

A man standing outdoors holding two bunches of freshly harvested beets with leaves attached.

Pete Lees

Pete will be supporting the course on site and sharing his passions and skills in natural building, fermentation and food preservation

Guest teachers and site visits 2026

  • Peni Ediker

    Peni Ediker runs Swn y Coed - a One Planet Development smallholding in West Carmarthenshire that we will be visiting on the course. 

    Her smallholding is a thriving and abundant example of what can be achieved by careful soil health practices and passionate permaculture food growing techniques. You can find Peni’s website here or watch a great YouTube video of her plot here

  • Edward Dale-Harris

    Ed is an architect, permaculture designer, and founder of SAWA - an architecture design collective that works with individuals, community groups, charities, organisations and governments looking to support challenged communities in a wide range of contexts. Ed will be supporting the teaching team and leading sessions in natural building, retrofitting and mindfulness.

  • Tao Wimbush

    Tao Wimbush has lived off-grid for over 30 years. He is co-founder of the Lammas Ecovillage where he has lived with his family for 14 years, and transformed a bare sheep field into a mosaic of abundance and productivity, We will be visiting Tao’s site on the course.

    Tao is an expert in 'One Planet Development' and a Natural Builder extraordinaire. You can read more about Tao here