FAQs

Newquay Community Orchard is a 7-acre community space in the heart of Newquay. We have a traditional orchard, community grow space, forest garden, Market Garden, amphitheater terraces, community café, co-work space, wellbeing hub and nurture garden. Our market garden produce is cooked in the kitchen here at our Heart and Soul Cafe. 

Since conception and initial funding in January 2015, we have had support from over 1000 volunteers and learners, who come together to care for and create spaces in Newquay Community Orchard. 

There are around 50 full and part time members of staff employed by Urban Biodiversity, their roles aim to facilitate the growth and success of the Orchard and promote a more sustainable model for urban spaces elsewhere. 

The idea behind the Orchard was born in our former CEO Luke’s kitchen; just a few ideas scribbled on an A5 piece of paper which has blossomed into Newquay Orchard as it is today. The land belongs to The Duchy of Cornwall and is leased to us to create this community space; we send monthly reports to The Duchy updating them on our progress at the Orchard.

The Orchard has been built for the community by the community. Hundreds of people have volunteered at Newquay Community Orchard since we started in 2015, taking ownership of everything from planting trees and crafting bird boxes to building our market garden beds, greenhouse and classroom.

Newquay Community Orchard relies on funding and sponsorship to continue thriving. The Big Lottery, the European Social Fund and UK Government funding through Cornwall Council have been major funding sources of the project. We are also funded through social investment and we’re developing new ways to generate income for the site through new assets, such as our events programme, Heart & Soul Cafe and our co-working space. 

The Orchard is an environmental project which is open to everyone. The project gives people the opportunity to share their time and their skills or to learn new skills. It empowers individuals to develop whilst making lasting friendships, memories and experiencing the benefits of being outdoors and connected to nature.

Education at the Orchard makes learning accessible to all in our beautiful outdoor space. Our education programs offer an alternative to college and sixth form and aim to help young people develop their knowledge, skills and employability.

As we are based at the Orchard, we don’t confine ourselves to learning in a classroom. Our lessons also take place in our community grow space, our polytunnel and our wood workshop and make use of the fascinating biodiversity of the site.

Growing Futures is our program of study for young people aged 19-24 with and without special educational needs. Our Education Officers work closely with our students on their Math’s and English skills as well as exploring horticulture, woodwork and teamwork. 

We also have a work experience program for young people aged 19-24 which offers employability skills, qualifications and work experience. Trainees join the team at Grown learning how to run a market garden and are placed at businesses such as: Cormac, Player Ready, The Headland Hotel, The Wasted Apple and MushLove

You can read all about our impact! Or read our latest news.

Upstairs in the community building we offer co-working space for people who have similar interests around environmental education, sustainable living and the power of community partnerships. 

We have a small number of businesses; counsellors, kids clubs, a sauna and wellbeing practitioners; who base some or all of their business at the Orchard.

Kowel Gwenen, our community building, is also a space for local groups to meet. We can supply conference space, meeting rooms, event hire; indoor and outdoor and catering.

Find out about venue hire

Yes! Newquay Community Orchard is a space for everyone to enjoy. Take a walk, explore the forest garden, have a picnic, perhaps with food from the Heart and Soul. You can even bring the dog, we just ask that you keep them on a lead to protect our plants, trees and grow space.

Yes, you need to fill out an enquiry form on our website. You will then be contacted by one of our team.

Newquay Community Orchard wouldn’t exist without volunteers; they have been at the heart of this project since day one. Our volunteering program is always evolving so get in touch to find out what is happening now! 

No, we are a Community Interest Company or Social Enterprise, a non-profit organisation. Any money that we make is rolled straight back into running the site and our community offerings.

The Orchard site is never closed; you can come anytime, any day to immerse yourself in some nature and take a break away from the town. We just request you stay out of the areas that are labelled ‘Volunteers and Staff only’.

This building, Kowel Gwenen is open to the public during Heart and Soul opening hours, 9:30am-4:30pm, 7 days a week. Any closures of the café and/or the building are posted on our social media channels and on the door here.

Follow our social media channels and check out our events page for updates. You can even sign up to our mailing list and get updated straight to your inbox.

We are a work in progress; it’s taken us 10 years to get to this point, and we have lots more ideas. The beauty of a community project like this is it may never be ‘finished’.

There is an accessible path from the cycle track at the north of our site down to our main building. This links us to the Sports Center and Tretherras car parks. We have flush threshold and an assisted door on the café as well as accessible toilet facilities.

Parking is still a bit of an issue, but we do allow drop offs on our service drive.