Composting
Get hands on composting advice
We're on a mission to combat the growing food waste challenge with our hands-on Compost Demonstration Sites, in locations around the UK. Here, Master Composters demystify composting and provide all-important life skills to communities.
Why learn to compost?
So much of our food waste ends up in residual waste bins where it’s burnt to generate energy, or in landfill, where it becomes a source for greenhouse gases. Food waste collections across the UK will help but composting at home offers us a simple solution to recycling waste into something valuable that will nourish soil, seeds and plants.
Under the Environment Act 2021, upcoming changes in waste legislation will require all councils to collect food waste separately by 31 March 2026. Home composting is the most environmentally friendly way of dealing with unavoidable food and garden waste.
What is a compost demonstration site?
There are now 13 specialist Garden Organic composting education sites in locations around the UK. They provide hands-on advice and training for councils, residents, organisations and businesses – and more are planned. Each Compost Demonstration Site shows how easy it is to compost at home - with any size garden or budget.
Find out if you’ve got a composting site near you - and contact them to arrange a visit - by checking out the list below.
Our compost demonstration sites 🔗
Most sites are open to the public to visit at any time but please email or call ahead to avoid disappointment. Visitors can view and get advice on using a broad range of composting systems at the sites, which can include: Green Johanna, Green Cone, compost bays, wormeries, HotBins, tumblers and dalek bins. Some also contain leafmould bins and an area dedicated to comfrey and its benefits.
Shropshire
- The Wildlife Trust Cut Visitor Centre Compost Demonstration Site works in collaboration with the Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The wildlife gardens are free to explore and feature Garden Organic’s composting information alongside a variety of different bins. Find out more at The Cut Visitor Centre | Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
Norfolk
- Norfolk Master Composters’ Compost Demonstration Site is situated in the grounds of Norfolk County Hall on Martineau Lane. Open to the public every day. It’s used to inform visitors and County Hall staff, and for volunteer training. Email [email protected] for more information.
Cumbria
Cumberland
- The Gosling Sike Compost Demonstration Site works in partnership with the Cumbria Wildlife Trust in Houghton, Carlisle. Open to the public every day: volunteer Master Composters are usually available on Wednesdays. To arrange a guided visit contact [email protected].
- The Millom Network Centre Compost Demonstration Site, at Millom, is a partnership with Millom Network Centre. To arrange a visit contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Westmorland & Furness
- Ford Park Compost Demonstration Site in Ulverston, in partnership with Ford Park, is situated within the beautiful walled garden and directly underneath the Sir John Barrow monument. The walled garden and compost site is open to the public Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, sometimes on Saturdays. Volunteer Master Composters are usually available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To arrange a guided visit contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
- Alpacaly Community Garden Compost Demonstration Site, near Penrith works in partnership with Alpacaly Community Garden, Alpacaly Ever After and Basecamp North Lakes. The gardens and compost demonstration site are open to the public Monday to Sunday 9am-5.30pm. Volunteer Master Composters are usually available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. To arrange a guided visit contact [email protected] or [email protected].
- Appleby Road Compost Demonstration Site, in Kendal, works in partnership with Appleby Road Community Garden, owned and managed by the Queen Katherine School. Open to the public every day. To arrange a guided visit contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
Bradford
- Horton Farm. Find out more at https://hcf.org.uk/finding-us-visitors/
Leicester
- Stokes Wood Allotments Compost Demonstration Site is based at 2b Stokes Drive, Leicester, LE3 9BS. Run by Master Composter Rod Weston, the site is open to the public between 10am-12pm on Wednesday mornings, when the breakfast club is open, offering the chance to see the site and have a good old fashioned English breakfast! Find more information at www.carryoncomposting.com, via Facebook @carryoncomposting, or email [email protected].
Gloucestershire
- Bisley Community Composting Site is located at the Bisley Chestergate Allotments. It’s the first community composting scheme in the Stroud District and is the longest running composting scheme in Gloucestershire. Find out more at https://bisleycommunitycompostscheme.org.uk/ or email [email protected].
North East
- Our Scotswood Compost Demonstration Site is based at Scotswood Natural Community Garden, in Yewcroft Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE15 6TU. The garden is open Mon to Friday 10am-4pm. Free admission. Find more information at scotswoodgarden.org.uk, or email [email protected].
- The Comfrey Project Compost Demonstration Site is sited at The Comfrey Project in Chester Place, Gateshead, NE8 1QB. Free entry 10 am to 4 pm Monday to Friday, but please call first. Head to thecomfreyproject.org.uk, or email [email protected].
- Crook Hall Gardens Compost Demonstration Site is located at the National Trust’s Crook Hall Gardens, Frankland Lane, Sidegate, Durham, DH1 5SZ. Gardens are open to National Trust members free of charge 10-5 pm until end of October. Reduced hours during November to Feb. Non-members pay an admission fee but check local press for entry coupons. Head to nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/north-east/crook-hall-gardens or email [email protected].
Join Garden Organic!
Enjoy the Organic Gardening Podcast? Get more growing advice at your fingertips with a Garden Organic membership, including discounts to partner gardens, and access to our gardening advice line.
become a member