Dorset countryside, 2miles from Lyme Regis, Grade 2 Rectory with walled garden
Dorset
It is another new growing season and we have a new team and with it a new LOVELY VIBE!
Hello WWOOFers, we are a community led property in Dorset with a victorian walled garden first built in the 1840s. We have a small group of live-in volunteers that are very passionate about regenerative land use and we are moving our garden into a no-till model. This will be better for the veg and our little ecosystem, but also for carbon capture and maintenance. We partner with our lovely neighbouring cattle farmers to achieve a rich compost top soil.
Our 11 Acre property includes a large kitchen garden where we grow organic vegetables. We always need help with planting, harvesting, weeding, watering and preserving our larger harvests. We need help making apple juice, preserves and pickles. Additionally we have land management tasks such as maintaining our natural reed bed plumbing system.
On our property we have a number of accommodation types available. We have space for tent and van camping during the summer seasons. Additionally we have shared and private bedroom accommodation. All our volunteers are welcome to join us for a self serve breakfast and a community cooked vegetarian lunch and dinner.
We are located 2 miles from beautiful Lyme Regis on the Jurassic coastline of South West England. We are surrounded by lovely ancient footpaths which lead to all local villages. Our volunteers enjoy bike riding, hiking and swimming in Lyme Bay.
There is opportunity to join our community for a longer residence as well. We start this process with a two week trial period to ensure our new friends are happy and settling in.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Forestry
Aquaculture
Wild foraging
Seed saving or production
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Bakery
Green Building
Renewable energy production
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Holistic management
No-till farming
Rotational grazing
Host type
Nonprofit / Community
Former WWOOFer
4.5
Hectares
|
11
Acres
Accommodation
Jessica
Member since 2025
Languages spoken:
English
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 2 days
Dorset
Axminster
Reviews
Brice
Réunion
•
December 2025
Très belle expérience de woofing au sein d’une communauté engagée et bienveillante.
Le lieu est magnifique, avec un grand jardin potager, des espaces naturels préservés et une vraie volonté de travailler dans le respect du vivant (culture sans labour, compost, préservation des sols).
Les tâches sont variées et intéressantes : jardinage, entretien des espaces communs et participation à la vie collective. L’organisation est claire et flexible, avec une bonne communication au sein du groupe.
Les repas végétariens partagés sont de qualité et les moments de convivialité font vraiment partie de l’expérience. L’hébergement est confortable et l’ambiance générale est chaleureuse et inclusive.
Une expérience enrichissante, autant humainement que sur le plan des pratiques agricoles et collectives. Je recommande sans hésiter à toute personne intéressée par la vie communautaire et l’agriculture régénérative.
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Jasmine
United Kingdom
•
November 2025
a welcoming community with kind hearts and plenty of projects. i was given pleasant accomodation with instant hot water. fair meals were provided. the interesting projects are wetlands system, generating a market garden, planting out winter crops, tidying the shared facilities for communal meals and compost toilets, helping feed pigs and welcoming a small herd of cows. nature is wild here with ancient, beautiful trees. the property is outstanding. the community have recently reformed with new, enthusiastic and informative members and though low on the ground, each were happy to communicate and get stuck into the tasks. it is apparent that the vision is being rebuilt and a period of focus is necessary, as most communities require during wintering and a breakdown of what no longer serves the land.
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Reply from Jessica
Jasmine was a knowledgable community member and brought us much inspiration and camaraderie. Thank you xJessica
Colin
Australia
•
November 2025
I have just spent 3 weeks at [Host]. My first WWOOFING experience and it was amazing. Such great fun and wonderful people. [Host] is a beautiful location with the rolling hills and tight hedgerow roads. If you’re a runner you’ll love it. Thanks so much to all the people, I won’t list you, but you all make [Host] a very special place that I now cherish. I’ll see you again very soon. I can’t wait for more apple pressing, poly tunnel gardening, tool sharpening, the pigs and seeing the Victorian walled garden in all its glory. Oh, and the wonderful group meals. The highlight of every day.
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Reply from Jessica
Colin you are a star in our small orbit! Thank you and can't wait to have you back. xJ
Sara
Australia
•
October 2025
I absolutely loved my week at [Host]. It is just the most beautiful place - the people, animals, gardens and buildings. Thank you so much Jessica and Catherine and Aaron and everyone else who made it such a wonderful experience. Definitely try some time here if you want to try WWOOFing - it’s really worthwhile!
Reply from Jessica
We loved having you here as well Sara! Please come see us again xJ
Sarah
New Zealand
•
October 2025
Monkton was a beautiful place to work and stay at, it was a pleasure getting to know other volunteers who were so accommodating and helpful- thank you all for a lovely time! Would absolutely come again.
Reply from Jessica
What a pleasure to meet you! Please come again xJ
Julia
United Kingdom
•
October 2025
A fabulous community in a beautiful location. I spent my time there planting, weeding, harvesting and cooking. It was a delight to create food for the community for the community from vegetables grown in tbe amazing victorian garden. I learned so much and look forward to visiting again xx
Reply from Jessica
Julia you are a star! Thank you xJ
