Kents is a family run permaculture smallholding that shares land, knowledge, and experience with others. Through hands on learning, open exchange, and lived practice, we support people who are curious about more resilient, thoughtful ways of living — and who are ready to explore change at their own pace.
Kents of Cornwall
Learn Permaculture Design for Sustainable and Resilient Living
Join our 2 week Permaculture Design Course from 1–15 August 2026, near Bude on the beautiful North Coast of Cornwall. Led by the wonderful Aranya, this course offers practical pathways toward self-reliance and community resilience, exploring how permaculture principles can be applied in your life and beyond
Course Highlights
This immersive Permaculture Design Course in Cornwall is designed to support meaningful, positive change in your life. Set in a real world learning environment, the course offers a broad and practical introduction to the applications of permaculture, including sus tainable food production, community resilience, alternative economies, and eco-housing.
You will leave feeling confident to apply permaculture in your home, life and community, even if you have never picked up a trowel before.
01
Experience a dynamic mix of traditional lectures, group work, discussions, observation exercises, guided walks, practical activities, videos, and slide shows. These varied teaching methods cater to different learning styles.
02
See permaculture in action by visiting local projects including Martin Crawfords world famous forest garden, that implement the theories discussed in the course. These site visits provide practical insights and inspiration, showing you how permaculture principles can be successfully applied in real-world settings.
03
Learn alongside like-minded individuals in a collaborative setting that values everyone's unique skills and knowledge. This course will introduce you to a supportive community where you can share experiences and grow together.
04
Engage in practical activities that allow you to apply what you’ve learned in real-time. These hands-on experiences help solidify your understanding and provide you with the confidence to implement permaculture practices in your own life.
05
Benefit from the guidance of Aranya, an experienced and highly respected permaculture designer and teacher. His clear teaching style, depth of knowledge, and thoughtful feedback support both beginners and those looking to deepen their permaculture practice.
06
Enjoy a well-balanced course structure with time to rest and reflect. A full day off mid-course and a half day off each week help make this immersive permaculture design course both manageable and enjoyable.
This Course Is for You If...
You Want to Learn from a Leading Permaculture Expert
Benefit from the guidance and expertise of Aranya, a renowned permaculture designer and teacher. His extensive knowledge, experience and wit will provide you with valuable insights and personalised feedback.
You Want to Connect with Like-Minded Individuals
Join a supportive and collaborative community of people who share your passion for sustainability. This course offers a unique opportunity to connect, share experiences, and grow together.
You Seek Hands-On Experience in Sustainable Practices
Engage in practical activities that allow you to apply permaculture principles in real-time. These hands-on experiences will help solidify your understanding and give you the confidence to implement sustainable practices in your own life.
You Have No Prior Knowledge
This course is designed for everyone, regardless of prior knowledge or experience. Our diverse and inclusive teaching methods ensure that all participants can engage with and benefit from the course content.
Learning Methods
We employ a diverse range of teaching methods to ensure a fun, lively, and inclusive experience:
- Traditional lecture-style teaching
- Group work and discussions
- Observation exercises and guided walks
- Practical activities
- Videos and slideshows
These methods support different learning styles and are inclusive of people with learning difficulties. We also offer visits to projects where permaculture theory is actively implemented.
Course Fees & Details
Course Details & Fees
Duration: 1st – 15th August 2026
Full rate: £905
Fully inclusive of all tuition, food, site visits, handouts, digital resources and Permaculture Association Britain’s PDC certificate. The fee also includes basic camping / live-in vehicle rate. For an additional £20 per night you can upgrade, subject to availability, to yurt accommodation. Call Joe on 07939872142 for more details.
The fee also includes post-PDC, free lifetime access to Aranya’s ‘Design Your Site with permaculture’ online course.
Concessionary rate: £675
(available for those on low incomes / means-tested benefits but limited to only four places)
*Non-residential rates: £745 full fee / £545 concessions
(inclusive of everything except staying on site and breakfast)
For more details, information and to book the course , contact Aranya.
Permaculture at Kents
Kents is a working permaculture smallholding on Cornwall’s North Atlantic coast, offering a real-world learning environment for a Permaculture Design Course in the UK. With a forest garden, integrated animals, yurt holidays, retreats and a warm family and community atmosphere, it provides an immersive setting to learn permaculture in practice.
Key Features of Kents
- Wildlife Ponds: Provide irrigation, food, forage, and habitat for wildlife, fish, and bio-fertiliser.
- Compost Toilets and Compost Heated Showers: Produce fertiliser, heat and reduce water consumption, and decrease reliance on fossil fuels.
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Sustainable Operations: Integrated systems across gardens, orchards, and businesses to ensure a smooth and sustainable operation.
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Warm Family & Community Atmosphere: A lived in, family farm with a friendly community feel, where learning happens through connection, shared experience, and being part of daily life.
Philosophy
Additional Resources
Expand your knowledge and understanding of permaculture with these valuable resources
A Forest Garden With 500 Edible Plants Could Lead to a Sustainable Future | Short Film Showcase
Check out this short video about Martin Crawfords stunning Forest Garden in South Devon. This is permaculture at its peak.
Permaculture - Wikipedia
A comprehensive overview of permaculture, its principles, history, and applications. This resource provides a solid foundation for anyone new to the concept and a deeper insight for those looking to expand their understanding.
Permaculture Knowledge Base - Permaculture Association
An extensive collection of articles, guides, and case studies from the Permaculture Association. This resource is ideal for diving deeper into specific aspects of permaculture and learning from real-world examples.
Permies - A Global Resource for Permaculture
A vibrant online community and resource hub for all things permaculture. Connect with others, participate in discussions, and access a wealth of information on sustainable living practices and permaculture techniques.
Contact us
Stay connected with us — we’re here to help!