Training and events
We run a range of events to help people build business resilience and look after the High Weald’s environment, as well as helping other organisations promote their events.
Most events are free and many are tailored to farmers and other land managers.
Below are the events being run across the area during 2026/27. The list is not exhaustive, and additional events will be added as they become available, so please keep checking this page for updates. If there is a topic not on this list that you think would be of interest please contact us and we will see what we can organise.
Upcoming Events 2026
| Event | Date | Who is it for? | Location | Organiser & Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Wildflower Management – for landowners Join the High Weald team and Keith Datchler OBE to look at small-scale examples of different sward management techniques. |
Thursday, 4 June 2026 10am-1pm |
Landowners in the High Weald | Battle | High Weald Team |
| Wadhurst Park Open Gardens Wadhurst Park gardens will be open as part of the National Garden Scheme. Visit the organically managed, Naturalistic gardens, designed by Tom Stuart-Smith and see the amazing High Weald native wildflower meadows in and around the gardens. Home-made teas including vegan & gluten-free cakes. |
Friday, 12 June 2026 10am-4pm and Saturday, 13 June 2026 10am-4pm |
Open to all Sorry, no dogs £7 admission per adult |
Wadhurst Park Riseden Road Wadhurst East Sussex TN5 6NT |
National Garden Scheme More info |
| National Meadows Conference at Wakehurst Translating the science of meadows into practice |
Friday & Saturday, 19 & 20 June 2026 |
Open to anyone interested in meadow restoration | Wakehurst | Book here |
| Summer Wildflower Management – for land advisers Join the High Weald team and Keith Datchler OBE to look at small-scale examples of different sward management techniques. |
Thursday, 25 June 2026 10am-1pm |
Land advisers in the High Weald | Battle | High Weald Team |
| Hole Park Bumblebee Safaris Supported by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust |
Tuesday, 30 June 2026 various times | Open to all | Hole Park Gardens Benenden Road Rolvenden Cranbrook Kent TN17 4JA |
Contact info@holepark.com |
| Newenden Meadow Field Event Free event to enjoy this lovely wildflower meadow by the river. Enjoy demonstrations of catching bumblebees in nets, learning the different types of bumblebee, and have a go yourself. Refreshments available. |
Saturday, 11 July 2026 1-4pm |
Families welcome (children must be accompanied). Sorry, no dogs |
Newenden Meadow, Lossenham Lane, Newenden, Kent TN18 5QD | Contact jillianeldridge@hotmail.com |
| An Introduction to the High Weald Join the High Weald Team on a walk and talk to find out more about the special features of this protected landscape. |
Tuesday, 14 July 2026 2-4.30pm |
By invitation | Mayfield | High Weald Team |
Past events
These events have already been delivered this year. If there is a particular event you are interested in, please keep checking back to see if we are running it again. Alternatively, contact us to make a request.
| Event | Date | Who is it for? | Location | Organiser and booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SFI for Small Farms A seminar run in partnership with the Small Farms Training Group to help small farms prepare for the revised SFI scheme | Tuesday, 19 May 2026, 5pm-7pm | Small farms in the High Weald | The Bear Inn, Burwash | Via SFTR |
| High Weald Nature and Community Fund Webinar Find out more about our Lund Trust-supported grant programme for not-for-profit organisations in and around the High Weald National Landscape. |
Tuesday, 19 May 2026 10-11am |
Community groups, schools, churches, charities and other not for profit organisations | Online | High Weald Team |
| Wild About the High Weald Join the High Weald Team and nature-focussed community groups from across the landscape to network, share successes and find inspiration for new projects. |
Monday, 18 May 2026 10am-1pm |
Members of Wild About/Wilder/Environment groups within the High Weald | Burwash Common Pavilion | High Weald Team |
| An Introduction to the High Weald Join the High Weald Team on a walk and talk to find out more about the special features of this protected landscape. |
Tuesday, 14 April 2026 10am-1pm |
By invitation | Mayfield | High Weald Team |
| High Weald Nature and Community Fund Webinar Find out more about our Lund Trust-supported grant programme for not-for-profit organisations in and around the High Weald National Landscape. |
Monday, 13 April 2026 2-3pm |
Community groups, schools, churches, charities and other not for profit organisations | Online | High Weald Team |
| The Farm as a Living System: Biodynamics Meets Organic & Pasture for Life | Wednesday, 25 March 2026 10am-3pm |
Farmers and land managers in the High Weald | Tablehurst Farm, Forest Row | Pasture for Life |
| Open Farm Sunday Host Farmer Meeting Join the Open Farm Sunday (OFS) team and other like-minded host farmers for a day of presentations, workshops and discussion |
Tuesday 24 March, 2026 10.30am-3.30pm |
Open Farm Sunday host farmers | Strawberry Hill Farm, Robertsbridge, East Sussex | Open Farm Sunday |
| Deer Night Shooting License Nationally recognised qualification for land managers actively involved in night time deer control |
Monday 9, Tuesday 10, Monday 16 March, 2026 2.30-10pm |
Deer managers within the High Weald | Litlington, East Sussex | High Weald Team |
| Webinar – Livestock Health Benefits of Regenerative
Farming with Claire Whittle Explore practical, nature-based approaches to livestock health and how animal health decisions affect the wider farm ecosystem. |
Thursday 26 February, 2026 4-5.15pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Online | Pasture for Life |
| Return to Lidham Farm: Farming with Boundaries, Trees, and Cattle A farm walk at Lidham Farm to see how outwintering the cattle has fared in the farm’s wood pasture system. |
Wednesday 25 February, 2026 10am-12.30pm |
Farmers and Land Managers in the High Weald | Guestling, East Sussex | Pasture for Life |
| Beginner’s Guide to Setting up a Venison Business A unique opportunity to learn from Alison Otway of Otways Meat and Game. |
Wednesday 25 February, 2026 9.30am-1pm |
Farmers, stalkers and land managers interested in setting up their own venison business | Broadstone Warren, Forest Row, East Sussex | High Weald Team |
| Business Management Best Practice for Family Farming Businesses A practical and interactive small-group workshop, led by Russ Carrington |
Tuesday 17 February, 2026 10am-2pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Warninglid, Haywards Heath | Pasture for Life |
| Winter Wildflower Management Join the High Weald team and Keith Datchler OBE to look at small-scale examples of different sward management techniques. |
Thursdays 12 & 19 February, 2026 | Land Advisers, Farmers and Managers in the High Weald | Battle, East Sussex | High Weald Team |
| Water Management Across the Farm Join us at Trottenden Farm in the High Weald to learn about how water is stored and managed across the 76 hectare livestock farm. |
Wednesday 11 February, 2026 10am-12.30pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Goudhurst, Kent | Pasture for Life |
| High Weald Farmland Bird Count: Insights and Discussion We’re encouraging High Weald farmers and landowners to conduct their own bird count |
Monday 9 February, 2026 6.30-7.30pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Online | Pasture for Life |
| Basic Business Planning for Family Farming Businesses An interactive workshop run by Russ Carrington |
Tuesday 3 February, 2026 10am-2pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Warninglid, Haywards Heath | Pasture for Life |
| Visit to Goodtrees Farm and Butchery Exploring how regenerative, pasture-fed livestock systems and on-farm (or near-farm) butchery operations combine to create new opportunities |
Thursday 29 January, 2026 10am-2pm |
Farmers and landowners in the High Weald | Cowden, Kent | Pasture for Life |