New woodland with organic fruit veg and flower growing areas
Kent
1. Describe your project, your place, and its inhabitants (including animals):
Nine years ago we planted a new woodland with help from the Woodland Trust and the local school. There are over one thousand trees on the 3 acre plot which now need managing to keep the pathways and clearings open. At the centre is an organic vegetable and flowers growing plot for domestic use with a polytunnel and compost bins. We manage this as an organic teaching and learning project based on my lifetime of growing organically using traditional methods . This offers an all-year-round opportunity to appreciate the seasons and learn about soil preparation and care, sowing, planting, tending, cropping and of course cooking and eating! We also have a formal garden space with rose garden. Our house is just one mile away, bicycles provided if needed. Accommodation is a comfortable 4 bed house with single or double bed rooms. For the more adventurous, a Shepherds Hut with basic facilities at the woodland itself. Sandwich is a most beautiful small medieval town that is a joy to stay in or use as a base to visit Canterbury and other ‘Garden of England’ East Kent locations and coastal walks.
We are receiving quite a lot of enquiries and will probably ask to limit the stay to one week and give priority in the summer months to WWoofers who want to learn about growing vegetables and flowers organically. Autumn and winter months are more likely to involve woodland management, depending on the weather.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Flower farming
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
Certified organic
1.4
Hectares
|
3.5
Acres
Accommodation
Steve
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 83%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Kent
Sandwich Rail Station
Reviews
Hamed
United Kingdom
•
September 2025
We had a truly lovely weekend with Steve at his beautiful woodland farm. He was welcoming, kind, and generous with his knowledge, teaching us a lot about organic gardening and woodland care. The work was varied, enjoyable, and never overwhelming. We also really appreciated the chance to explore the beautiful town of Sandwich and try new activities with his guidance, which made the experience even more special.
Many thanks to Steve and Siobhan for their warmth and hospitality, we hope to see them again soon. Highly recommended! 🌱
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Valentina
Austria
•
August 2025
I had the best time I could wish for staying at Steve's and Siobhan's place.
They live in a lovley house a few minutes by car/bike from the "field". The place there feels like paradise - you can find everything from fruits to vegetables and beautiful trees.
We usually woke up and had breakfast around 9, then headed to the field to work until lunch and afterwords spent a few more hours to be productive on the field. The work was incredibly interesting - Steve really makes sure it is. He will have so much knowledge for you to share!!
I'd really recommend this to anyone who is truly interested in learning and also someone who is social because then you can also benefit from this incredible community focused town Sandwich!
I could talk about my time there for so long, but go and find out by yourself- you will be taken care of and have wonderful experiences in the gardens and spend your free time at the beach, in the town or the cute park - there are endless options!!
I can't thank you both more for this time and hope the best people will find you and your place.
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Reply from Steve
Hi Valentina, thank you for that lovely feedback. It was a pleasure having you with us for a week, and we will look after the flowers we planted with you!
VERONIQUE
Belgium
•
March 2025
What a wonderfull week I spent there! Steve and Siobhan have been very kind with me.
They introduced me to their friends during a lot of activities in the city.
The garden is beautifull , The work was interesting and we exchange a lot of knowledges and practices. It was my first experience as a wwofer and I was very lucky .
I recommand this adress.
Thanks them very very much!!
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Reply from Steve
Thanks for those kind words Veronique, it was a pleasure working with you. I'll look after the newly planted flowers Veronica for you!
Sandro
Spain
•
January 2025
It was an amazing exeprience live Steve life style, and Iv learned lotsa of things, not only in gardening, also in english culture, because Steve is a great and cultured person. You can learn lots of things from him.
Also they care about you and they give you great and funny experiences.
Reply from Steve
Hi Sandro, great to hear from you. Glad that you enjoyed your stay, hopefully you will be back to see us in the Summer. Steve
Clémentine
France
•
August 2024
My mother and I had a lovely time at Steve and Siobhan, who are both extremely kind and generous hosts and who made us feel right at home, even though we were only there for three nights. The field is an enchanting place, we learned a lot from Steve, who is extremely knowledgeable and, in terms of work, it was really easy-going. We almost wished we could have done more! Thank you both for such a warm welcome.
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Reply from Steve
Hi Clementine, it was lovely to have you here, we really enjoyed your stay. Yes, it was a shame it wasn't for longer! Steve
Oliver
United Kingdom
•
August 2024
An excellent experience, with the range of jobs that we worked on always providing interest and variety. Steve and Siobhan are lovely hosts, with a close connection to the historic town of Sandwich. I enjoyed exploring the town, with walks to the coast and bike rides to Canterbury nearby.
Reply from Steve
Hi Oliver, glad you enjoyed it. You're a great Woofer, your help was really appreciated. Steve
