We are a community, educational charity, and an architectural gem hidden in the south Oxfordshire countryside in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Founded in 1950 as an educational trust, it is a continuing experiment in the advantages and problems of living in a group. Community members share responsibility for running the mansion house (a Grade II*️️ listed building), 55 acres of land, kitchen-garden, as well as facilitating educational and alternative courses, events, and festivals too. We are assisted by visiting volunteers from around the world - you could be one of them!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
• Training in housekeeping, organic gardening, catering for large numbers (for the resident community & volunteers), hosting and running a large venue, and land management
• A reference for future employers
• Informal discussion time, cultural exchange with residents, other volunteers & visitors; experience with intentional community living
• Chance to improve your English (provided your level is already at least intermediate)
• Quiet reflection space for personal projects and transformation
• Learning how to manage garden tools and eventually machines as well
Registered charity
This host is a registered charity in the UK and is looking for help with their charity project. Guidance on charity worker sponsorship by a UK registered charity, can be found here.
Help
A typical day may include...
• housekeeping help, as well as decorating.
• assisting with and cooking for the resident community and volunteers (we are usually about 15-20 people for lunch and supper each day)
• help in the gardens/estate inc. planting, fencing, wood chopping etc.
• maintenance help – if you are comfortable - inc. building renovations
• occasionally doing some hosting tasks when there are guests over
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
You may be staying in one of our outbuildings situated around the main building as there are a limited number of bed-spaces for volunteers within our 17th-century main building; some of which are listed buildings. You might be asked to share a room with up to two other volunteers. Food will be provided.
Meals are included.
The volunteers also have the opportunity to enjoy the facilities from other rooms within the main house, like the residents' lounge (a room for playing board games or watching movies with a nice projector); the library and the study room, with a collection of books available. There is a ping pong table in the barn (one of our outside buildings), which volunteers can use anytime.
There is the possibility of building bonfires and enjoying the evening outside with the group of volunteers, as well as doing trips together to other cities nearby, or just walking around the beautiful woods in the estate.
What else ...
There is a bus stop 10 minute walk down the lane. The X40 bus comes every 30 minutes to and from Oxford and Reading. From here you can get a train or coach to London and the rest of the UK.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Anna was a wonderful presence. Calm, mature and insightful, she was sensitive to the needs of others. She has a fine ascetic eye, and created stunning flower arrangements for our public spaces, and a larger outdoor sculpture / seating area from natural materials. It would be great to have Anna back!
A truly magical stay at the park through the winter holidays - working, connecting, slowing down and appreciating the land in its hibernating season. What a warm, thoughtful, generous and inspiring community! I learned a lot during my three week visit and left feeling more rested, regulated and nourished than I’ve felt in a long time. A heartfelt… read more thank you!
I stayed here for five weeks two years ago, which was an incredible experience. I met some amazing people who I'm still in contact with. I'm glad I was brave enough to leave my country and have this foreign experience. Everyone was very welcoming and kind.
There are lots of festivals in the summer, which is great because you can meet lots of… read more people. There was always something happening, so it never got boring.
There's a direct bus to Oxford, or you can go to Wallingford. If you have a bit more time, you can even go to London! I went there three times!
It's an amazing place to live, and the people there are great.
Thank you so much for this experience!
It is difficult to resume all the incredible moments I have spend here during those 6 weeks.
I immediatly felt very welcomed and part of the community. The highlight of my stay was the people I have met there, all very interesting with a big heart.
We were all very close within the group of volunteers and we were organising something… read more everynight : playing game, making bonefire, watching movie, organizing a ping-pong tournament and we also organized a play.
I've also learned a lot about the life in community and about other very interesting subjects throughtout workshops and events organized there.
The work was really well organized and varied. It is possible to do something different everyday. Actually it was just really fun to work all together with the volunteers, didn't feel like working.
I strongly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for an enriching and fun experience. I wont forget my time here and it is going to be hard to find another such wonderful workaway opportunity.
I would like to come back there soon!
Thank you all for everything !
Anna was a wonderful presence. Calm, mature and insightful, she was sensitive to the needs of others. She has a fine ascetic eye, and created stunning flower arrangements for our public spaces, and a larger outdoor sculpture / seating area from natural materials. It would be great to have Anna back!
A truly magical stay at the park through the winter holidays - working, connecting, slowing down and appreciating the land in its hibernating season. What a warm, thoughtful, generous and inspiring community! I learned a lot during my three week visit and left feeling more rested, regulated and nourished than I’ve felt in a long time. A heartfelt… read more thank you!
I stayed here for five weeks two years ago, which was an incredible experience. I met some amazing people who I'm still in contact with. I'm glad I was brave enough to leave my country and have this foreign experience. Everyone was very welcoming and kind.
There are lots of festivals in the summer, which is great because you can meet lots of… read more people. There was always something happening, so it never got boring.
There's a direct bus to Oxford, or you can go to Wallingford. If you have a bit more time, you can even go to London! I went there three times!
It's an amazing place to live, and the people there are great.
Thank you so much for this experience!
It is difficult to resume all the incredible moments I have spend here during those 6 weeks.
I immediatly felt very welcomed and part of the community. The highlight of my stay was the people I have met there, all very interesting with a big heart.
We were all very close within the group of volunteers and we were organising something… read more everynight : playing game, making bonefire, watching movie, organizing a ping-pong tournament and we also organized a play.
I've also learned a lot about the life in community and about other very interesting subjects throughtout workshops and events organized there.
The work was really well organized and varied. It is possible to do something different everyday. Actually it was just really fun to work all together with the volunteers, didn't feel like working.
I strongly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for an enriching and fun experience. I wont forget my time here and it is going to be hard to find another such wonderful workaway opportunity.
I would like to come back there soon!
Thank you all for everything !
(Excellent)
3 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Hitayosara) for host
My experience at Brasier Park was wonderful. All members of the community are very kind and special, they will help you with whatever you need. The 3 months I lived in Brasier Park were beautiful, I will always carry them in my heart.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
4 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Hitayosara)
Hita has been an amazing volunteer at the park. Her commitment and passion to help has made a big difference in our community, always keen to be involve in every project and in our daily tasks. Furthermore, Hita took the initiative to run yoga sessions some evenings for anyone interested. She showed everyone a documentary about her home town which… read more led to very interesting discussion!
Overall, she is an amazing person and she will be truly missed,
Looking forward to your return to Hita!
(Excellent)
8 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Ilariaarciola93) for host
It was two months the length of time I spent here. The community is lovely and the working hours are good. I met amazing and interesting people, countless moments of joy and laugh but also depth and amazing scenery of the place. Everyone there has a unique personality that makes up a fantastic community where to feel welcome. Thank you
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
I stayed here for five weeks this summer and it was an amazing experience. Everyone is very welcoming so you'll feel at home right away. (I actually stayed a week longer than intended)
The work was very varied depending on what was on the agenda at the time.
In the summer there are a lot of festivals right above the house and we got to go there… read more on our time off. There was always a lot happening around here so it never got boring.
But even if there are no events you'll find a lot of things to do. There's a direct Bus to Oxford or you can go to Wallingford and if you have a bit more time you can go and see London.
It's an amazing place to stay and the people there are just great.
Thank you so much for this experience!
(Excellent)
29 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Anas) for host
It was my first volunteering work experience. I decided to step out of my comfort zone and change my daily routine to engage, and I’m happy that it was here. Spending 5 weeks here was one of the most beautiful and enjoyable times of my life, for the following reasons:
I learned the principle of sharing responsibility. I witnessed everyone… read more contributing and sharing tasks with love and dedication. Everyone maintained the ethos of this place. We always covered for others in their absence and ensured that all tasks were promptly completed.
All members, without exception, were cooperative and friendly, ready to teach volunteers and newcomers with simplicity and ease.
I always received thanks and gratitude for any task that I completed, regardless of its size.
The opportunity for everyone to attend meetings and discussions allowed each person to participate and debate objectively and professionally.
The positive energy here makes it hard for me to forget this experience, which I will always cherish. This experience has raised my standards for any future volunteer work.
Thank you very much to the family for all the things that you do. I wish you continued success, and I certainly hope to meet you again in the future.
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
28 Nov 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Sophie)
Sophie volunteered for two months. Amazing person, has contributed lots to the well-being of the community with her positivity and commitment, has been inspiring for all of us. She has gone above and beyond and will be truly missed!
I hope Sophie can return soon!!
(Excellent)
16 Nov 2023
Left by Workawayer (Sophie) for host
It was a place I didn't realise I needed until I got here. Thank you so much for becoming my family and providing me such a safe and wonderful space. Joining this community gave me so much, especially greater self confidence and assurance. I gained so many new friendships, not just other volunteers but also amongst the residents.
It is also… read more incredibly well connected and it was very easy for me to take trips in to Oxford or Wallingford when I had free time.
There is always something going on and during my time we hosted several festivals that I was able to attend complimentary. I was also given the chance to partake in things such as a Sweat Lodge, something I wouldn't have done otherwise but am so grateful I did.
I became unwell with the flu during my stay and everyone immediately jumped into action making sure I was well rested and constantly topped up with soothing teas etc. Leaving was incredibly hard to do, and I'm already trying to figure out when I can return
You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
(Excellent)
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Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
