About the Permaculture Plot
Tucked away in Stanmer Park, on the epic hunt for the Earthship, you might stumble upon a cluster of quirky, allotment-like plots — this is Stanmer Organics, a cooperative space home to community groups working in harmony with nature.
One of them is Brighton Permaculture Trust’s own Permaculture Plot, certified organic by the Soil Association.
Plot history
The Permaculture Plot at Stanmer has a rich and evolving story. In its early days, a small group of volunteers took on an overgrown allotment and began transforming it into a thriving space for learning, growing, and experimenting with permaculture principles.
Fran Pickering’s Plotted History (PDF) offers a personal account of those formative years—from fencing off the first beds and planting rootstocks, to navigating challenges like poor soil and deer damage, and eventually gaining recognition as a Permaculture Association LAND site.
The plot remains a welcoming place to see permaculture in action, and we hope its story continues to grow with each new season.
What you will find
Our evolving site includes:
- A polytunnel with seedling and drying areas
- Edible beds: annuals, herbs, and perennial crops
- A forest garden, nursery and composting systems
- A wood shed, fire pit, and pizza oven for sociable plot days
- A perennial plant nursery, raising hardy, low-maintenance plants to sell and support the project
- We also propagate Sussex apple trees for community orchards.
The Permaculture Plot in action
Our permaculture plot is a living classroom—welcoming around 700 visitors a year, including Forest Schools, students, course participants, and guests on open days. It’s a place to get your hands in the soil, try out sustainable growing techniques, and share ideas in good company (with legendary lunches!).
We offer hands-on experience in:
- Forest gardening
- Water harvesting
- Composting and seed saving
- Propagating perennials
- Tasting edible plants grown with permaculture methods
Come and volunteer at one of our regular sessions on Thursdays, or the fist Saturday of the month, 10:30–15:00.
You don’t need to commit to coming regularly, just register for any session you want to join.
Join our volunteer mailing list for a weekly update of all our volunteering opportunities.
Take a look at this video made with our friends at Unite the Beat.
Embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact!
Whether you’re interested in environmental initiatives, community engagement, or skill-building, we welcome your involvement. Take an active part contributing your skills and passion to drive positive change by volunteering with us.
Upcoming: Apple Blossom Day
Celebrate the beauty of the orchard in bloom! Join us for a free, family-friendly afternoon of music, talks, orchard tours, and our famous crumble, cider and juice stall. Come enjoy the blossom, learn about permaculture, and welcome the season together. Sunday 26 April, 1–5pm.
Get Involved
There are various ways you can contribute to our mission and get involved with Brighton Permaculture Trust. Explore the opportunities and join us on the journey towards a more resilient world.