Learning to ‘read’ and understand the landscape is both an important part of permaculture design and a fascinating pastime. It enables you to understand what makes a particular landscape the way it is, how it works and how it changes through time. It can make a walk in the country much more enjoyable and full of meaning. It’s also a vital part of the permaculture design tool kit: observing and understanding what’s already there is the essential first step towards designing new landscapes.

Much of the course takes place out on the land, exploring the landscape at first hand and most of the rest is slide shows. For more details on the course contents click here.

The tutor on this course is Patrick Whitefield.The venue, Ragmans Lane Farm, is situated in an area of great beauty and landscape variety. It lies in the Wye Valley, just on the edge of the Forest of Dean. This is a landscape of hills and valleys, woods and grassland, orchards and hedges, rivers and ponds. It’s an ideal place for landscape reading and was the inspiration for several of the case studies in Patrick’s book, The Living Landscape.

Fees

The charge, inclusive of tuition, board and lodging is £225.

We’re able to offer a few concessionary places to people on low incomes. We don’t have a regular rate but discuss it with each person as an individual. If you would like to apply for one of these please contact us with an account of your circumstances.

An initial payment of £100 is due on booking and the balance of £125 is due six weeks before the course starts. Payments are non-returnable. You may like to to take out insurance for your fees in case you’re unable to attend through illness etc. Guest First is an insurer which covers this kind of risk. www.guestfirst.co.uk

Testimonials

“I love the enthusiasm which Patrick gets from nature.”
- Timothée Uehlinger

“A very enjoyable and interesting weekend. It’s nice to learn without written materials, using slides and visits to areas around the farm.”
- Richard Smith

“The mixture of inside course and walks works very well. A lot of information.”
– Veerle de Smedt

“I love the way Patrick slips into the environment and sees things that the rest of us wouldn’t notice. The hands on approach helps me to retain information in every cell of my body.”
- Carine van Gestel

“Patrick’s depth of knowledge and years of experience shone through. A very diverse range of topics was covered which had us on the edge of our seats. There was just the right balance between theory and practical exercises.”
- Steve Pickup

“It was everything I hoped it would be – and more.”
– Brigit Strawbridge