House and garden, half an hour’s walk outside Reigate
Surrey
3.5 acres, a semi wild garden with a particular interest in maintaining the remains of a Pleasure Garden from 1880s.
Surrey is known as AONB (area of outstanding natural beauty).
Experience permaculture, some organic food & herb growing, composting, dead hedging, habitats for wildlife. Member of local biodiversity group.
Five bee hives are now being attended by a local beekeeper.
Photo of bothy, self built for wwoofers. See one sitting outside.
Prefer one week stays, one wwoofer at a time and enjoy the exchange with those that come to improve their English language skills in return for helping support my lifestyle of simply living with the land.
WWOOF host since 1983, inspired by a TV series called 'The Good Life'.
Once actively promoted organics, joined the Soil Association, researched and self published 'The Concise Book of Organic Growing and Small LIfestock'.
Now more interested in permaculture and enjoying the smallholding as a retirement project.
Google the book I wrote:
‘When I Became English...
Learn how to use tools and make compost. Come and harvest in the widest sense of the word.
The Victorian park area with lots of trees and stone lined pond has been open to the public for the annual Heritage Weekend event and also for charity with other gardens in the village.
SPECIAL INTERESTS: two workshops have been let out in the converted stable block. I have retired from 'creating/felting' - apart from giving 'Show & Tell' talks to groups.
After 20 years of caring for breeding ewes, we have taken down most of the fences.
Organic methods: Permaculture, composting, leafmould
Certifications: Used to take veg to market in the 1980s when we had the Soil Association symbol yrs ago.
Internet access available
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Learning opportunities
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Beekeeping
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Food justice / sovereignty
Mechanics / tools / technology
Methods or systems
Permaculture
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
1.4
Hectares
|
3.5
Acres
Meike
Member since 2009
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 1 day
Surrey
Nearest airport: LGW
and train to Reigate.
From London - train to Reigate
Pick up from Reigate
Reviews
Elisa
France
•
May 2026
I really enjoyed my time at Meike's! Such a lovely place very well built and pretty ; the small house where I stayed was entirely for me, my own space, bedroom and even a fridge and a table to work on some writing projects. I slept very well and the meals Meike prepared were healthy, balanced and quality oriented. The conversation with her were very nice, profound and fun, we've had some good laughs as well as sharing deep ideas and lifestyles' experiences. It was very enriching knowing about her and her inspiring journey. She really respected the 4 hours work per day and was very encouraging about the work done! Regarding the tasks we did mostly weeding, cutting the grass, dead-hedging, watering and general maintenance of this gorgeous garden. Thank you for welcoming me Meike, it was very pleasant ! Take well care
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Haruho
Japan
•
April 2026
I had a great experience staying with you! Thank you for welcoming me into your home. I truly appreciated your support and the time we spent together.
Reply from Meike
Hope you’re working hard to improve your English. Enjoyed the time went spent together.
VERONIQUE
Belgium
•
March 2026
Meike is an amazing lady. Energetic and with an extraordinary life. She's welcome me very kindly. She is a good teacher and she cooks very well. The garden is beautifull.
Thanks to her for this lovely week .
Reply from Meike
Thank you for your compliments.
Agreed, we had a great week, great weather and achieved lots.
Your energy and strength is amazing. Keep it up.
Suzanne
Hong Kong
•
March 2026
I have a wonderful week at [Host], nice people, nice garden, nice food, thank you Meike for having me.
Reply from Meike
We were so lucky with the weather and managed to get lots of things done.
Thank you, Suzanne.
sanjay
United Kingdom
•
November 2025
Meike has a wealth of experience about all things to do with gardening and permaculture to share, and I learned a lot in a short time of working with her. She saw to all my needs (accommodation, food etc) well.
This place has a good history behind it, as you will know when you get here.
Thanks very much Meike!
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Reply from Meike
Hope you get better soon, Sanjay.
Meike
Cristian
Spain
•
November 2025
I recommend wwoofing at Meike's place, the accommodation was all you would ask for, all three foods of the day provided were delicious and the work to do wasn't very demanding. Moreover, you can chat with Meike about a lot of things and she will also tell you a lot of interesting stories about her life. Pd, her son was also very nice.
