Westfield Farm‘s setting couldn’t be more perfect, sprawling over some thirty acres on south facing slopes overlooking Chew Valley Lake in North Somerset. With its own apple orchard, forest garden and beehives, Westfield is the ideal place to see the wonders of permaculture in action; it’s no surprise that my husband and I recently had one of the most lovely autumnal weekends in recent memory there.

Run by the wonderfully energised and tenacious Byrony Huntley, the farm offers a variety of workshops and courses ranging from beehive making and willow weaving to setting up a social enterprise and raw food feasts. If you’re super keen you can earn your keep and stay in the beautiful stone manor house as part of the WWOOFers labour exchange programme. Whatever way you choose to get involved you’ll have a blast as this truly is a very special place.

Photo courtesy of Mexicanwave on Flickr