Introduction to permaculture – weekend course

14 – 15 June 2025 or
20 – 21 September 2025
9.30am to 5pm in Brighton

Start your path toward environmental resilience and personal empowerment.

Permaculture is about working with nature, not against it; designing systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and self-sustaining. This weekend course introduces the basics of permaculture design. It aims to inspire and empower you to use permaculture design in your everyday life.

What will the Introduction to permaculture course cover?

This weekend course offers a meaningful experience of connection and belonging—perfect for those seeking fresh beginnings and a deeper sense of community. Equally, if you are interested in reconnecting with natural patterns and how to work with, not against, nature you’ve arrived at the right place.

Permaculture can be used in all aspects of life – whether you’re seeking to grow sustainable food, farm more ecologically, working on home improvements or developing a business strategy.

This course will cover the history, various definitions, design process, ethics, principles, other design tools and case studies from a range of applications. You will use this theory to co-create a design over the two-day course.

If you would prefer an online only version of this course, you can read more here

Who is the Introduction to permaculture course for?

Whether you’re an agriculturalist or a gardener, homeowner or architectural designer, project manager or working in tech, retiree or simply keen to be inspired, this course is for you. People of all abilities and interests should find this a positive and inclusive experience and no prior knowledge of permaculture is needed.

“This is a great course, fully supported by the tutors … the potential is almost overwhelming, the sense of inclusion that comes from them and the trust helps ground you in its principles which allows you to learn and think about its application.”

Nathan

Introduction to permaculture course

“This is a great course, fully supported by the tutors … the potential is almost overwhelming, the sense of inclusion that comes from them and the trust helps ground you in its principles which allows you to learn and think about its application.” Nathan

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/nathan/

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Introduction to permaculture course

“A fantastic two days that I would recommend to anyone.”

Richard Millar

Introduction to permaculture course

“A fantastic two days that I would recommend to anyone.” Richard Millar

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/richard-millar/

“It was an amazing experience and hoping to go back soon. The venue is great, and teachers are awesome. Can’t wait for more.”

Saray

Introduction to permaculture course

“It was an amazing experience and hoping to go back soon. The venue is great, and teachers are awesome. Can’t wait for more.” Saray

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/saray/

“Very helpful to attend a class – information stuck much better than home reading on its own…. Good to be amongst doers, not just talkers.”

Gill

Introduction to permaculture course

“Very helpful to attend a class – information stuck much better than home reading on its own…. Good to be amongst doers, not just talkers.” Gill

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/gill/

“The teachers and the delivery and the content was just right for first timers to feel permaculture can be for them.”

Millar

Introduction to permaculture course

“The teachers and the delivery and the content was just right for first timers to feel permaculture can be for them.” Millar

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/millar/

“This is a great course, fully supported by the tutors … the potential is almost overwhelming, the sense of inclusion that comes from them and the trust helps ground you in its principles which allows you to learn and think about its application.”

Nathan

Introduction to permaculture course

“This is a great course, fully supported by the tutors … the potential is almost overwhelming, the sense of inclusion that comes from them and the trust helps ground you in its principles which allows you to learn and think about its application.” Nathan

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/nathan/

“I found the course very powerful…. I came out of the course feeling empowered and motivated to apply permaculture principles to all aspects of my life and learn more.”

Kristina

Introduction to permaculture course

“I found the course very powerful…. I came out of the course feeling empowered and motivated to apply permaculture principles to all aspects of my life and learn more.” Kristina

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/kristina/

“I came away feeling inspired, wanting to know more, wanting to get involved, pondering much on the importance of a relationship with the land and also with community, and generally struck with the profound beauty of our ancient, staggeringly diverse home.”

Richard Basgallop

Introduction to permaculture course

“I came away feeling inspired, wanting to know more, wanting to get involved, pondering much on the importance of a relationship with the land and also with community, and generally struck with the profound beauty of our ancient, staggeringly diverse home.” Richard Basgallop

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/richard-basgallop/

“Been seeing every aspect of life differently since.”

Anna

Introduction to permaculture course

“Been seeing every aspect of life differently since.” Anna

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/anna/

“My interest and study of permaculture over the last year or so has been an autodidactic solitary endeavour. So it was lovely to attend a course and meet people who not only actually knew what permaculture was ? but also were just as eager and interested.”

Sinéad

Introduction to permaculture course

“My interest and study of permaculture over the last year or so has been an autodidactic solitary endeavour. So it was lovely to attend a course and meet people who not only actually knew what permaculture was ? but also were just as eager and interested.” Sinéad

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/sinead/

“The tutors were very approachable, knowledgeable & enthusiastic. They allowed us to make our own minds up, rather than forcing their opinions on us. The tutor:student ratio gave us the chance to get to know each other, contribute and network.”

Roy Hill

Introduction to permaculture course

“The tutors were very approachable, knowledgeable & enthusiastic. They allowed us to make our own minds up, rather than forcing their opinions on us. The tutor:student ratio gave us the chance to get to know each other, contribute and network.” Roy Hill

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/roy-hill/

“I enjoyed the exercises, the way the trainer encouraged people to get involved, the mixture of theory and practice, etc. Being a trainer myself, I can fully appreciate the high standard applied both in the design of the course and the delivery.”

Maria Esperanza Sanchez

Introduction to permaculture course

“I enjoyed the exercises, the way the trainer encouraged people to get involved, the mixture of theory and practice, etc. Being a trainer myself, I can fully appreciate the high standard applied both in the design of the course and the delivery.” Maria Esperanza Sanchez

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/4145/

“The course was what I hoped it to be – a design course – so not too airy, and specific and directed enough to be useful and practical … I thought for an introduction course it was perfect.”

Mark Seiltz

Introduction to permaculture course

“The course was what I hoped it to be – a design course – so not too airy, and specific and directed enough to be useful and practical … I thought for an introduction course it was perfect.” Mark Seiltz

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/mark-seiltz/

“Even if you can get the information covered on the course from books, you can’t buy enough books with the course fees to get access to the range of practical expertise the course teachers have, or the valuable second opinions from other course participants.”

Ville Koskinen

Introduction to permaculture course

“Even if you can get the information covered on the course from books, you can’t buy enough books with the course fees to get access to the range of practical expertise the course teachers have, or the valuable second opinions from other course participants.” Ville Koskinen

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/ville-koskinen/

“The course left me feeling really positive. The problems of climate change, peak oil, and our all-consuming culture often leave us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. This course showed practical steps can be taken, which gave hope.”

Nick

Introduction to permaculture course

“The course left me feeling really positive. The problems of climate change, peak oil, and our all-consuming culture often leave us feeling overwhelmed and hopeless. This course showed practical steps can be taken, which gave hope.” Nick

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/nick/

“Really well taught, structured and thought through. Amazing to be brought from knowing very little to having a go at your own design in two days.”

Catherine

Introduction to permaculture course

“Really well taught, structured and thought through. Amazing to be brought from knowing very little to having a go at your own design in two days.” Catherine

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/catherine/

“I liked the fact that the course covered some elements of allowing us to look, discover, and learn for ourselves.”

Ann

Introduction to permaculture course

“I liked the fact that the course covered some elements of allowing us to look, discover, and learn for ourselves.” Ann

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/ann/

“Brighton Permaculture Trust is a revolutionary organisation for the times that we are we in. I can see the change and impact of what I am learning transforming my way of living.”

Ozichi Brewster

Introduction to permaculture course

“Brighton Permaculture Trust is a revolutionary organisation for the times that we are we in. I can see the change and impact of what I am learning transforming my way of living.” Ozichi Brewster

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/ozichi-brewster/

“All in all a great weekend, learning a great subject which, thanks to the enthusiasm of the team, has left me hungry to learn more and more importantly put it into practice and pass the lessons learned onto my family.”

Phil O’Donoghue

Introduction to permaculture course

“All in all a great weekend, learning a great subject which, thanks to the enthusiasm of the team, has left me hungry to learn more and more importantly put it into practice and pass the lessons learned onto my family.” Phil O’Donoghue

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/phil-odonoghue/

“Really enjoyed this course, strongly focused on Permaculture principles, superbly structured, well delivered supported progressive learning. Thank you.”

Rebecca Landau-Wildy

Introduction to permaculture course

“Really enjoyed this course, strongly focused on Permaculture principles, superbly structured, well delivered supported progressive learning. Thank you.” Rebecca Landau-Wildy

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/rebecca-landau-wildy/

“I thought the site was beautiful. I loved spending a lot of time outside…. A really lovely group of people, relaxed atmosphere, delicious lunches and an inspiring course.”

Kate Lewis

Introduction to permaculture course

“I thought the site was beautiful. I loved spending a lot of time outside…. A really lovely group of people, relaxed atmosphere, delicious lunches and an inspiring course.” Kate Lewis

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/kate-lewis/

“All of the tutors were amazing. They had a very personable manner about them and were great at listening to what everyone said and valuing it. They created a space in which anyone could say what they wanted to.”

Hannah

Introduction to permaculture course

“All of the tutors were amazing. They had a very personable manner about them and were great at listening to what everyone said and valuing it. They created a space in which anyone could say what they wanted to.” Hannah

https://brightonpermaculture.org.uk/testimonials/hannah/

Learning methods and outcomes

The course will be taught using a variety of methods; group work, games, presentations, discussion, video and slides. We will spend some time outdoors at one of our community food growing projects.

• Learn from Nature: Gain insights from nature’s patterns and processes to design sustainable systems that can be applied to various aspects of life.
• Space to feel truly connected: to nature, to others, and to yourself.
• Collaborate and Share Ideas: Work together with others to reflect, plan, and implement strategies that help accelerate natural regeneration.
• Hands-on Experience: Participate in practical activities that offer real-world applications of permaculture principles and experiencing the design process together.

What does the Introduction to permaculture course lead on to?

This course is an ideal starter for anyone interested in a full permaculture design course. You need to have completed an Introduction to permaculture design course to take Brighton Permaculture Trust’s Permaculture design course (Building sustainable communities). You can also go on to explore other specialist courses.

Please note that attending this course does not qualify you to use the term ‘permaculture’ as part of your work as a professional or with the public, such as being a gardener, a teacher, a designer, giving talks about permaculture, etc. In order to do this you need to go on to complete a permaculture design course such as our Permaculture design course (Building sustainable communities).

Course tutors

The course will be led by some of the following tutors, with assistance from trainee teachers:

Stephan Gehrels received his Permaculture Diploma in 2009 and runs school environmental projects in Brighton.

Hannah Wilde completed her Permaculture design course in 2014, is working towards her Diploma in Applied Permaculture Design and has been teaching on courses since 2017.

Fran Pickering has been with Brighton Permaculture Trust since 2003 and received her Permaculture Diploma in 2009.

Polly Charlton completed her Permaculture Design Course in 2018 and is on her Applied Permaculture Diploma Pathway with five designs signed off and implemented.

Ttai Morra completed her Permaculture Design Course in 2023, and is now working on her Permaculture Diploma designs.

Venues/Accommodation

June and September 2025 courses:
Earthship Brighton
Stanmer Park (near University of Sussex)
Brighton
Sussex
South East England

Get directions to Stanmer Park.

If you intend to book accommodation, please check availability before booking a place, as accommodation in Brighton can be hard to find, especially over the summer months.

Get details of local accommodation and Brighton Permaculture Trust supporters who can provide accommodation in their homes.

Fees

Fees include tuition, refreshments, handouts and information sheets.

• £247.50 – Sponsored/organisation rate
• £247.50 – Individual income more than 25k/yr
• £200 – Individual income 18-25k/yr
• £152.50 – Individual income less than 18k/yr
• £84 – Individual, concessionary rate (check eligibility)*

* Concessionary places are limited. If places are not available check back two weeks before the course/event as more may be available then.

We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. Unfortunately, we do not receive any external funding for most of these and rely on large amounts of voluntary input.

See the cancellations and refunds policy.

Booking the Introduction to permaculture course

Spaces are limited, so sign up now to secure your place in this inspiring and educational experience. Let’s work together to create a better world, one design at a time.

Book the 14-15 June 2025 course >

Book the 20-21 September 2025 course >

Bookings can be made until midday the day before the course/event. A place is not secured until we have received the requested payment. If you have completed the booking process but you haven’t received a confirmation email from us please contact us to check your booking has gone through.

If you are booking within two weeks of the event, or the event is nearly full, you will not have the option to pay by BACS. Instead, you will need to pay immediately using a credit/debit card or PayPal.

*To be added to the waiting list for a course that is fully booked please use the Make an Enquiry button at the bottom of this page.

Recommended introductory material

The following provide good introductions to permaculture. It is not essential to have covered this material before the course.

• series of short films introducing application of permaculture design: Living with the Land
• Introduction to permaculture by David Holmgren, co-founder of permaculture, free download: Essence of permaculture

Recommended further reading (optional)

• Permaculture design – step by step, Aranya
• The Permaculture Way, Graham Bell
• Permaculture – a beginner’s guide, Graham Burnett
• Introduction to Permaculture or Permaculture One, Bill Mollison
• Permaculture In A Nutshell, Patrick Whitefield

Any Questions?