St Ives Community Orchard and Nature Reserve is 30 acres of beautiful green space on Penbeagle Hill overlooking St Ives, Cornwall. A wildlife haven encouraging biodiversity as well as a place where people can socialise, work, learn, play, relax and enjoy the fruits of their labour. An open-access place that everyone can enjoy.

Since 2013 volunteers have transformed a piece of unused land that was covered in brambles and bracken into an abundant, diverse orchard and edible forest garden with 100s of fruit and nut trees as well as fruiting bushes of many unusual varieties, wildflowers, wild grasses, medicinal plants, perennial vegetables and many woodland trees creating shelter. It has a large, open area to relax and have community events, a living willow dome, veg garden, herb garden, picnic tables, pizza oven and an apiary with unusual bee hives.

There are pathways from the orchard leading through old lichen-covered woodland to a wildlife reserve on the hillside above, where over 2000 native, woodland trees have been planted. At the top of the hill is heathland with granite tors and 360-degree views of the ocean and the moors.

Volunteers meet there twice weekly to look after and plant trees and plants and work on various interesting projects. A chance to make new friends by engaging in various activities including hands-on experience with vegetable and fruit growing, outdoor cooking and environmental projects. Providing wonderful physical and mental health therapy just by working in nature as well as building skills and confidence. More volunteers always welcome.

We have regular events every year; Apple day, Wassail, Solstice and Equinox gatherings with music, food and fun activities. We offer many educational and fun walks, talks and workshops, arts and crafts focussing on bringing people closer to nature. We make cider and apple juice from the apples still left on the trees at the end of the apple season which we then use at our various community events.

Everyone is welcome to visit us anytime. Wander through the orchard, bring a picnic, sit in our peaceful herb garden, enjoy the beautiful view or walk up through the many pathways of the Nature Reserve.