What is the Festival of Permaculture?

The Festival of Permaculture began life at a national gathering of permaculture enthusiasts (Convergence) and it has grown into a community of people who are seeking to make meaningful changes to the way they live, garden, grow food and cohabit on the earth.  With a focus on permaculture design, practical workshops and inspiring speakers, this year’s event will be focused on the power of Community. 

The Permaculture Association and its thousands of members around Britain and the planet have been cultivating healthy communities for four decades. This year we will be celebrating the power of those communities to inspire meaningful, actionable, collaborative change. 

Tickets are available for up to 500 people over the weekend, and this year we hope to attract a local audience from London and the surrounding areas, as well as our committed permaculture tribe from across the UK&I and further afield! 

Jo leading foraging session

What about the Convergence? Why has the name changed?

We made a decision to rename the Convergence to the Festival of Permaculture to reach a wider audience. The National Permaculture Convergence has been running since 1990's and has hosted thousands of permaculture enthusiasts. However, making our national event accessible to everyone, requires a shift in the way we talk about it.

Fireside singing, storytelling, shared meals, celebration, reflection and innovation are a core focus on the weekend and we will draw forth the magic of the Convergence evolving into its new life.

Where is this year's Festival of Permaculture?

This year’s event will take place at Lambourne End Activity Centre, Essex. Lambourne End Activity Centre is on the outskirts of London, a Permaculture LAND Centre, a regenerative farm and outdoor learning hub.

Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning
Manor Road
Lambourne End
Essex
RM4 1NB
 
Set in 54 acres of woodland, regenerative farmland and educational activity centre, Lambourne End offers enriching learning opportunities for adults and young people of all ages!

Day tickets

Saturday Day Ticket, 9am- 11pm

  • Lunch and dinner included in the ticket price
  • Arrive early for a full day of workshops, talks and events
  • Celebrate our Community Heros with an extra special lunch 
  • Learn about permaculture and how to apply it to your home, business and lifestyle
  • Visit the Children’s Area with farm tours and dedicated outdoor kid's activities 
  • Enjoy live music, a permaculture cinema and fireside storytelling in the evening
     

Sunday Day Ticket, 10am-4pm

  • Learn about permaculture and how to apply it to your home, business and lifestyle
  • Take part in discussions and workshops to discover creative solutions for a sustainable, healthy future that suits your lifestyle and circumstances
  • Meet other like-minded people, share stories and make new friends!
  • Visit the Children’s Area with farm tours and dedicated outdoor kid's activities 
  • Take a tour around Lambourne End’s regenerative farm 
  • Enjoy live music bowered by IG3’s bike-powered sound system
  • Explore the a marketplace and pick up a book, plant or permaculture art by one of our many talented artists! 

How do I get there?

Lambourne End is on the outskirts of London, within the M25 but situated on the edge of Hainult Forest Country Park.

 

Public Transport

Option 1: Take the Central line to Fairlop Underground Station and a shuttle bus will be available at set times to collect and drop off.

Shuttle bus timings from Fairlop station:

  • Friday from 2pm until 6pm
  • Saturday 8.30am until 10am and 6pm until 7.30pm
  • Sunday from 9am until 11am and 3.30pm until 5.30pm.

Outside of shuttle bus times, take a taxi to Lambourne End Outdoor Activity Centre (RM4 1NB). Taxi office is situated outside of the station.

Option 2: Take the Queen Elizabeth Line to Chadwell Heath station and take a taxi to Lambourne End (approx 20 minutes drive).

 

By Car

Lambourne End has ample parking and is easy access from M25 and M11. Please book a car parking ticket when you book your weekend/ day tickets.

Sat nav address: Lambourne End Centre, Manor Road, Lambourne End, Essex, RM4 1NB

If driving, please car share where possible. Car share can be organised via our Permaculture Community Hub online forum- Festival of Permaculture 2023.

If you are coming to the Educators' Gathering, there is no shuttle bus running on Thurday. Please let [email protected] know when you are arriving.

Arrival times

Friday 22nd September: 2pm 

Saturday 23rd September: 9am

Sunday 24th September: 10am

Disability provision

Lambourne End is a fully accessible site, with wheelchair access, disabled toilets, space to chill out, clear signage and a warm kind, compassionate people-care focused team and attendees to make you feel welcome and support you when needed.

We have a dedicated accessibility coordinator on site who will be the main point of contact, so you don’t have to ask twice.

The camping field is 150-180 metres to the main festival area, via mowed grass paths.

Take a look at the Lambourne End site map and building layout, so you can get an ideal of the venue and paths through the site.

Only assistance dogs are allowed onsite.

Where can i stay?

Camping

Bring a tent or your campervan and camp on the main site in our dedicated camping area. Hot showers, toilets and bathroom facilities are available onsite. You can buy a camping or campervan ticket for a minimal cost which includes access to onsite faciltiies throughout the weekend. 


Hotels

Holiday Inn, Brentwood: £220 - 284

Woodford Hotel: £216

 

Air BNB

Modern One Bed Flat in Chigwell £205

3 Bed House in Chigwell £435

Crown Farm, 3 Bedroom Apartment £592

Apartment Luxe, 1 Bedroom £244

What activities do you have for children?

We have a Children’s programme staffed by volunteers with appropriate DBS checks in place. The volunteers run an activity programme based around permaculture, crafts, outdoor education and games.

Some of the practical hands-on workshops onsite are suitable for children as well as adults.

For younger children, Lambourne End has a farm plus lots of outside space and the opportunity to run about freely. They are very welcome to join the children's programme and practical workshops but children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult in the Children’s Area. Children over 5 can be left with the Children’s Coordinator for the agreed length of the activity. A sign-in sheet must be completed by the parent or caregiver including an emergency contact number.

 

Is there any childcare available onsite?

You can leave children 5 and over with our children's area staff during the times the children's programme runs.

All children need to be collected at lunchtime and at the end of the day.- usually around 1pm and 5.30pm respectively.

We don’t provide childcare for toddlers or babes-in-arms onsite. All children remain the responsibility of their parents/ guardians at all times.

 

My children need to eat earlier, can you provide food at different times for children?

Meal times are set as listed in our programme as they are provided by our wonderful caterers. There is a cafe selling healthy snacks, soft drinks, etc, which is open throughout the day and into the early evening. We would advise you to bring extra food for children if this is likely to be needed.

Can I join online?

The Festival of Permaculture is our national in-person gathering of permaculture people! However, we want as many people as possible to share in the experience. We have an opportunity to stream live sessions from one area of the event site and online tickets will be made available closer to the time when the programme has been finalised.

Educators’ Gathering: You can join the Educators’ Gathering as an online participant.

 

Online ticket for Educators's Gathering

Is food included? When can we eat?

We provide the following meals as part of the ticket price. Meals are served in the Training Room and you are invited to eat together with other festival goers or you are welcome to find a quiet spot to enjoy your meal alone. 

Friday
Dinner- 6:30pm- 8pm

Saturday
Breakfast-
Lunch- 1pm-2pm
Dinner- 6:30pm- 8pm

Sunday
Breakfast- 
Lunch- 12:30-1:30pm

 

What if I can't eat the food on offer?

When purchasing a ticket, please provide details of your dietary requirements and we will try to ensure this is accommodated for. All food is vegan though some meals have additional extras such as cheese available as an option. No meat is served onsite though you’re welcome to bring and cook your own on a camping stove if you wish. Our talented caterers are skilled at creating a diverse and delicious menu of vegetarian and vegan food, and work hard to use as much local, organic and seasonal produce as they can. All major dietary requirements are catered for but don’t forget to mention this when you book your ticket.

 

Can I buy other food and drink if I want to?

A cafe and bar are open throughout the weekend serving tea, coffee, soft and alcoholic drinks available to purchase. We also sell a selection of cakes, biscuits and healthy snacks to keep you going between meals.

 

Can I bring my own food? Is there a kitchen available?

You are very welcome to bring your own food, however the kitchen will be reserved for use by our wonderful catering team. If you would like to bring a camping stove, this can be used in the camping area.

 

What do I need to bring?

We will send out an attendee pack via email in August which provides a list of everything to bring with you. We ask that everyone bring their own plate, bowl, knife, fork,  spoon and mug as we think the best way to reduce waste is to reuse!

 

When can I arrive and set up camp?

If you have purchased a ticket you can arrive onsite from 4pm on Friday 22nd September. Crew and volunteers are able to arrive earlier as per specific instructions provided. 

 

Are there any rules in the camping area?

No amplified music can be played in the campsite at any time. No drumming is allowed. There is a communal fire provided for musicians and we welcome you to bring instruments along and gather here.
After 9pm, please be respectful of other campers when accessing and egressing the campsite, especially after a night at the bar! 

There is a quiet camping area and a family camping area specifically provided for those seeking peace and/or those with children.

 

Can I bring a firepit?

We are afraid not. No firepits other than those provided are allowed at Lambourne End.

 

What entertainment is there in the evening?

After dinner there is space for wind-down and conversation. For people who like a little more action we have a range of evening entertainment from comedians to theatrical performances to DJs, acoustic music and cinema. 
 

Explore evening fun!