What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is about developing practical ways of living that work with nature, not against it.

It’s not a fixed method, but a way of looking at the world that shapes how we live within it, taking inspiration from natural systems and thinking about how we fit within the wider environment. Permaculture is often associated with growing food, but it goes beyond that. It’s just as much about how water moves through a space, how soil is built and maintained, how animals are integrated, and how people use and care for the land and each other.

There’s a growing number of people interested in permaculture, and there’s no membership or qualification required to take part. The best way to get started is simply to get busy doing. Some people have developed a set of ethics and design principles as a helpful guide, and we often use these to support our thinking.
 

More than a growing method

Permaculture is often linked to gardening or small-scale farming, but it’s broader than that. It’s a practical approach to living in a way that supports biodiversity, uses resources sustainably, and works with natural processes rather than constantly trying to override them. It’s not about stepping away from modern life—it’s about engaging with it more thoughtfully.  

Practical, not perfect

We don’t aim for perfection, and we’re not trying to recreate untouched nature. People work and learn here, build and mend things, grow food, and make use of the land. The focus is on making practical decisions that, over time:

• build healthier soil and support wildlife across the site
• work within the limits of an off-grid site, using what we have thoughtfully
• manage a sloped, exposed site in a way that works year-round
• share skills through practical work, learn from each other, and build a supportive community
• keep the site productive and financially viable so it can support the community

For us, it’s a balance between working with nature and accepting the realities of how people live, learn and work day to day.

A way of thinking

Permaculture also shapes how we approach people and community. It recognises that human wellbeing is part of a healthy system, and that access to outdoor space, shared work, and practical learning all matter. At Holly Hagg, that means creating a space where people can take part, spend time outdoors, build skills, and contribute to something that develops over time.

Learning through practice

Permaculture is easiest to understand when you see it in action. At Holly Hagg, this approach is worked out day by day through the way the site is managed and developed.

→ Read more about Permaculture in Practice at Holly Hagg