Join us for a free tour of our farm site, Troed-yr-Harn, as well as a visit to our Hay Castle teaching venue on the 1st Wednesday of each month!

If you are interested in any of our courses but are hoping to visit our campus and to see the learning sites for yourself before you apply, then get in touch to book your spot on a tour on a date that suits you, tailored to your interests!

Campus tours are designed for those who are interested in our Further or Higher Education courses:

 

• NVQ Level 2 in Regenerative Horticulture 
• NVQ Level 2 in Coppicing & Greenwood Trades 
• NVQ Level 2 in Nature Recovery 
• BA (Hons) Sustainable Futures: Arts, Ecology and Systems Change

 

Where will lessons be taught?

Our NVQs generally take place at Troed-yr-Harn, making use of our Pottery Studio as a Classroom, large barn, and, of course, the surrounding outdoors including many fields and ancient woodlands! We also use other local woodlands as regular venues.

Our brand-new Degree in Sustainable Futures will be taught across various locations, using a distributed campus model. Hay Castle is one of our main teaching sites and will be included in the tour, but you will also have some lessons at Troed-yr-Harn farm to undertake field work from time to time. We will also be utilising other local, community venues throughout your course.

 

About Troed-yr-Harn

We are in the process of renovating and converting Troed-yr-Harn, which will be transformed into an agroecological learning campus with brand-new student accommodation. Currently, Troed-yr-Harn is a working farm (perfect for field trips and ecological studies).  Troed-yr-Harn is also a nature recovery project, transforming former upland grazing into regenerated woodland, organic orchards, horticulture, and agro-ecological nature-friendly farming.  We are implementing a plan to increase biodiversity and experiment with regenerative practices on the 120-acres of the land.

 

Nature as the classroom

All of our courses acknowledge the principles of forest schools that re-connection to nature begins with making nature itself the classroom. At BMC, the Brecon Beacons National Park is our learning territory, but you will also learn in social, business and community settings helping work towards a transition to a more equitable and sustainable society.

 

What will the tour involve? 

You will be met by one of our fantastic members of staff on the day, starting the tour at Hay Castle. Your guide will be our Degree Admissions Tutor and Lecturer, Christianne Wakeham, or our CEO and Lecturer, Ben Rawlence.

You will have the chance to hear more about the Degree, including:

• Modules
• Customisable pathways
• Career progression opportunities
• Work experience placements
• Projects
• Accommodation
• Student Finance and Support
• Student life at BMC

And so much more! You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and receive a more personalised experience, whilst getting a closer look at some of our learning venues.

You may get a chance to see some of our NVQ lessons in action and meet some of our current students who are always open for chatting!

Other Further Education staff may be available to meet upon request, including some of our NVQ tutors or NVQ Operational staff who can provide an insight and advice on the modules we teach, financial support available, timetabling, application deadlines and the admissions process for NVQs. 

 

When will the tours take place?

The first Wednesday of each month, running until June from 11am – 2pm! Dates will include:

• 5th June

We will meet visitors at Hay Castle in the entrance hall at 11am on each of these dates. We will spend around an hour here and will then provide you with directions to our Farm site to continue the tour at approx. 12.30pm which should last around half an hour.

Our campus is generally a car-free site, so we will offer you the option to walk to Troed-yr-Harn from Talgarth Car Park. If the weather is not suitable, or if you are unable to complete the walk, you are very welcome to drive. Please note that the tour will last longer if you decide to walk.

 

How can I book a spot? 

To book your spot, please email info@blackmountainscollege.uk with the date you’d like to visit, and the names of those who will be attending. Tours are completely FREE!

If you are only interested in our NVQ courses, please let us know in your email and we can cut out the Hay Castle part of the tour.