Smallholding including orchard and gardens

North Yorkshire
Smallholding including orchard and gardens
Smallholding including orchard and gardens Smallholding including orchard and gardens
99 • Updated 2 years ago
1 acre garden/smallholding in a suburban situation on the outskirts of the historic City of York growing wide range of fruit and vegetables plus ornamental plants. 7 acre field nearby, including woodland planted 20 years ago, managed for wildlife, and large orchard. Also two allotments for additional fruit and veg, plus a few free range hens for eggs. Wide range of vegetables grown throughout year on mixture of row and bed systems. Large greenhouse and polytunnel used for veg. production throughout the year. Many varieties of apple, plus pears, plums etc, plus extensive range of soft fruit. We are self-sufficient in fruit and vegetables with surplus to sell through a box scheme, from our cart on the street, and local wholefood shop/market. Our aim is to live as sustainably as possible while maintaining an attractive environment suitable for wildlife. We can offer training in a wide variety of organic horticultural techniques based on 30 years experience. We do talks to gardening groups on growing fruit and vegetables organically and are involved in a range of local food/organic initiatives. Your interest in learning about organic growing and environmental issues is more important than your experience. We are happy to support and teach enthusiastic beginners. This is not a suitable WWOOF for those only wanting to improve their English or travel cheaply. Please tell us your dietary needs (eg vegan, gluten free etc). We are vegetarian. We have 1 cat. Organic methods: We basically follow organic practices of rotation, composting, etc.  We don't use any powered tools for cultivation - we like digging and every year we incorporate a lot of manure and compost.   Certifications: We use organic methods but are too small scale to justify certification Current projects: What we can teach WWOOFers will always depend on the season.  We have no huge projects ongoing, though we do anything like this over the winter months (November to March) before our growing season really gets busy.   Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Poultry farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Food justice / sovereignty
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
3.2 Hectares | 8 Acres
Accommodation
2 WWOOFers
Bedroom
Children not accepted
Pets not accepted
Meals
Vegetarian
Vegan
Length of stay
1 day (local)
Weekend
Less than a week
1-2 weeks
Tony Chalcraft Or Jane
Tony Chalcraft Or Jane
Member since 2009
Languages spoken: English
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Mon
Tue
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Response rate: 98% Response time: typically within 3 days
North Yorkshire
Train or Coach to York. We usually meet wwoofers at the railway station. We are on a regular bus route from the City of York. from the City.
Feedback
Ben
Ben
United Kingdom • October 2026
I had a lovely time at Tony and Jane's nursery! The gardens and plant growing areas were rich in different types of vegetables, flowers and trees, which I loved learning about whilst I was there. Jane and Tony made a lovely lunch and made sure we had time for tea breaks, as well as explaining the different processes that they use in plant and vegetable growing. I did a variety of tasks and got to try seed planting, apple picking and digging out and preparing some pumpkins! I would love to visit again and would recommend visiting their nursery :) Ben
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Emily
Emily
United Kingdom • August 2026
The work on the farm was varied and Tony & Jane have created an incredible space with a lot of different fruit and vegetables, I would say to go you would need to be more of an experienced WWOOFER.
Amelia
Amelia
United Kingdom • August 2026
I spent one day at the nursery, and I am so happy that I had my first Wwoofing experience here! Their beautiful nursery had a variety of flowers, vegetables and fruits growing, and the hosts answered any questions I had about plants and pests. As someone with limited knowledge and experience in gardening, I was truly able to learn why people enjoy gardening here. We had tea breaks and a lunch break in between gardening, so I felt healthy and happy throughout the day and never depleted. I only needed gloves and trainers, and when there was an unexpected shower, they kindly lent me a raincoat with the option to do something else if the rain got worse. I would definitely like to come again and learn more about gardening here.
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Clémence
Clémence
United Kingdom • July 2026
The host farm was a perfect first WWOOF experience for me - the hosts made sure that I undertook different tasks to learn as much as possible and were always happy to answer any questions I had! It is a really beautiful space with a big variety of fruit and veg, as well as hens. The farm is also easily accessible by public transport.
Sue
Sue
United Kingdom • June 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay with Tony and Jane. I gained valuable experience and learnt a lot from them they were happy to answer questions and share their knowledge. Their gardens are beautiful, really well cared for and productive. Jane makes all the meals using produce from the garden, it was full of flavour and tasted amazing. I felt very welcome and comfortable here, thank you Tony and Jane
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Isobel
Isobel
United Kingdom • June 2026
Tony and Jane were very accommodating and happy to answer my questions. They have a wealth of experience. I am really a beginner with not much knowledge. I didn't feel silly for asking questions. I was there for a day as I am a local. I felt very welcomed and they kept me fed and watered very well throughout the day. I think they have set the bar high for future Wwooffing experiences elsewhere.