Venues and Accommodation
Venues
All our courses take place in venues with beautiful woodlands and outdoor spaces. Courses take place around the UK – please see individual course information for venue details.
If you would like to offer a venue or partner with one of our facilitators to host courses please get in touch.
Facilitators are available to host courses around the UK and in Europe.
Whistlewood Common, Melbourne, South Derbyshire
Whistlewood Common in the National Forest in Melbourne, south Derbyshire, is a community woodland, founded in 2013 when a pioneering group of people founded a social enterprise with the aim of supporting people to live more sustainably.
The ten-acre site, owned by the shareholder-members, had previously been common land, then a thriving market garden, but had been reverted to pasture with just one tree. Since 2013 volunteers have planted 3500 trees, including 150 fruit trees, and have created natural play areas, food gardens, forest gardens and ponds.
Habitats for wildlife have been established and you may be fortunate enough to see buzzards, kestrels, herons, and a myriad of birds, mammals and insects on your visit.
The site now hosts forest school, green-living courses, wellbeing activities, festivals, events, volunteering and more…
The roundhouse is a beautiful, organic structure, built from straw bales, lime plaster and timber, it is insulated with sheep’s wool and 9000 wine bottles insulate the floor. The woodburner keeps the space cosy in winter, and whatever the weather it is always inviting to return to. It’s round, organic shape encourages openness, group working and the sharing of ideas.
Surrounded by wildlife, but with all the comfort and amenities that the eco-venue offers, we can help you reconnect with yourself, with other people and with nature. Gain a greater understanding and affinity with the well-being of the natural world as a whole.
Located within easy access of the Midlands (15 minutes from M1, M42, A38, A50), with parking on-site.
Address:
Whistlewood Common,
The Common,
Melbourne,
DE73 8DH
On The Common please look for the sign to Melbourne Animal Farm. Whistlewood is half way down the drive on the right hand side.
There are train stations at East Midlands Parkway or Derby. There are buses from Derby to Whistlewood (Melbourne). The number 2 bus from Derby to Swadlincote stops at ‘Melbourne Common Bog Lane’ which is opposite the site.
For more information and location of Whistlewood click here.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation options for Whistlewood Common:
Whistlewood yurt – get in touch to book
In the yurt are a comfortable double bed and woodburning stove. Hire of the yurt includes access to campfire cooking, fully-equipped kitchen, water and compost toilet.
Whistlewood is off-grid but you will have access to electricity to charge your phone during the course.
You can find more details of Whistlewood yurt hire here.
Camping at Whistlewood (please bring your own tent) – get in touch to book.
Camping includes access to campfire cooking, fully-equipped kitchen, water and compost toilet.
Whistlewood is off-grid but you will have access to electricity to charge your phone during the course.
You can find more details of Whistlewood camping here.
Sarah’s campervan Woody – hire Sarah’s hand-made off-grid campervan for your stay.
Luxury memory foam mattress, solar and battery 240v electricity, Wi-Fi, water, fridge, induction hob and microwave, it’s everything you need for a relaxing off-grid stay.
– get in touch to book
Local Bed and Breakfasts in Melbourne and Ticknall include:
- The Coach House Hotel – http://www.coachhouse-hotel.co.uk/
- Harpurs of Melbourne – https://harpursofmelbourne.co.uk/
- The Staff of Life – https://thestaffoflife.co.uk/
- The Stables, Ticknall – http://www.ticknallvillage.co.uk/
Or Airbnb options – https://www.airbnb.co.uk/
National Forest Youth Hostel is situated around 20 minutes drive from Whistlewood. (no public transport option) https://www.yha.org.uk/hostel/yha-national-forest
Come and say hello at Timber festival
Each year we run workshops at Timber Festival at Feanedock in Leicestershire. Founded by the National Forest Company it’s 3 days in early July of Music, Forests, Art and Ideas.
Come and say hello at the Think like a Tree stall and attend a free introductory workshop.
If you love trees, we’ll guarantee you’ll love it.
Camp or just come for the day.
"The power and majesty of nature in all its aspects is lost on one who contemplates it merely in the detail of its parts and not as a whole"