Penpont

Penpont Estate, LD3 8EU

• 1 place available
• Accommodation is not provided at this placement

The Walled Garden at Penpont is approximately 1.52 ha, and has been certified Organic with the Soil Association since 2002. A wide variety of vegetable and flower crops are grown and sold through the onsite farm shop. From January to June, they supply regular customers with veg & fruit boxes, using produce from a local organic wholesaler as well as some of their own. The gardens have three poly tunnels, a large lean-to glasshouse, as well as tool & storage sheds. The soil type is a fluvial loam over red sandstone. For the last 20 years a system of green manures has been used to maintain soil fertility, enhanced by creating their own compost and by operating organic principles. More recently the garden is now entering a transition period to a ‘no dig’ system creating raised beds and permanent paths. The Walled Gardens are managed by Glenn van Lint (Head Grower) and Vina Hogg (Penpont Estate), who between them have extensive knowledge and practical experience in organic and regenerative horticulture.

 

About Penpont

Situated in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park, Penpont is a working rural estate of 2000 acres, located on the River Usk just west of Brecon. At the core of the estate is a Grade 1 listed house, and a historic collection of outbuildings with walled gardens and grounds extending to approximately 40acres. The house and estate still remain within the ownership of the original family. In 1992, Gavin & Davina Hogg, a trained arborist and landscape designer, moved to Penpont. As well as managing an extensive restoration program of the buildings and gardens, they have also established a number of on-site business enterprises including: a holiday cottage, a regenerative livestock enterprise, a campsite, a wedding & events venue, a biomass heating system and the organic fruit, flower and vegetable unit supplying the on-site farm shop. Gavin and Davina’s sons Forrest and Josh are also based at Penpont, and are directly involved in managing Penpont’s livestock enterprise, building restorations, woodland management and charitable endeavours. In 2019, Penpont partnered with Action for Conservation, a youth engagement charity, who run an education programme on the estate inspiring the next generation of conservationists and land workers. This Project has since bloomed into a education programme for young people, an onsite Tree Nursery and a ‘Land Library’ hosting a range of resources and books inspired by the ongoing biocultural revival of Penpont and its community.

You can read more about the Penpont Project here: https://www.actionforconservation.org/penpont