Sustainability Centre

Name

Sustainability Centre

Legal name

The Earthworks Trust

Website

https://sustainability-centre.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Education and Eco-Tourism

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Eco-Lodges (Low-Impact, Nature-Integrated Lodging) (THAAAHAA)

Keywords

• Sustainability education
• Eco-friendly accommodation
• Natural burial services
• Forest school training
• Venue hire events

Headquarters

HQ city

Petersfield

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Course and Workshop Fees: Adult education courses including willow craft, wood craft, wellbeing, forest school training, sustainable land management, and seasonal festive crafts. Courses range from half-day workshops (£35-£125) to multi-day programs (£330 for Introduction to Permaculture). Revenue from course fees, deposits, and remaining balances for multi-day courses.
2. Accommodation: Multiple accommodation tiers: South Downs Eco Lodge B&B (11 ensuite rooms + wheelchair-accessible room), Eco Hostel (38-bed hostel-type), Shepherd's Hut, Yurts, Camping, and Group Accommodation. Revenue from nightly rates, exclusive use bookings, and package deals combining accommodation with courses or events.
3. Room and Space Hire: Green Room conference facility hire: £300 half day (9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm), £600 full day. Available to sustainability event attendees, accommodation guests, and burial service attendees. £100 damage deposit required.
4. Eco Squirrel Shop Sales: On-site gift shop selling locally made crafts, pottery, jewellery, art prints, greetings cards, eco-friendly body products, local honey, Permaculture books, recycled candles, hand-woven willow baskets, and eco products. Also sells honey from onsite apiary partnership with Portsmouth Beekeepers Association.
5. Eco T-Shirt Online Store: Online merchandise store (Teemill platform) selling sustainable organic cotton T-shirts and bags for adults and children, featuring sustainability-themed designs. Supports the Centre while raising awareness.
6. Donations and Fundraising: Charitable donations including general donations, In Memoriam donations, bursary fund contributions, and Leave a Legacy program. Fundraising campaigns: 'Leaves for Learning' (schools education) and 'From a Room to a Spoon' (eco retrofit interior fit-out). Give As You Live affiliate fundraising through online shopping partnerships.
7. Gift Cards: Course gift cards (£2-£200, sent by email) and Accommodation gift cards (£10-£100, posted). Can be redeemed on website or over phone for courses or overnight stays in B&B, camping, yurts, or hostel.
8. Natural Burial Site: South Downs Natural Burial Site services including funeral arrangements, burial plots, and associated ceremonies. Revenue from burial fees and funeral-related services.
9. Beech Cafe: Vegetarian and vegan cafe on-site serving breakfast (8:30-10am) and lunch (11:30-2:30pm), Wednesday-Sunday. Offers catering for events including full buffet service. Specialises in organic, Fair Trade, vegetarian and vegan food. Operated separately but integrated with visitor experience.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Sustainability Centre is an independent learning and study centre operating on a 55-acre former Royal Navy site in Hampshire's South Downs. It delivers sustainability-focused courses and workshops, eco-friendly overnight accommodation (Eco Lodge B&B, hostel, yurts, camping), school and youth education programmes, natural burial services, on-site retail (Eco Squirrel shop and online T-shirt store), a vegetarian café, and venue hire.

Product overview

The Sustainability Centre is an independent learning and study centre offering a portfolio of sustainability-focused products and services across education, accommodation, and retail. The core offerings include adult courses and workshops covering permaculture, willow craft, wood carving, forest school training, and sustainable living skills; eco-accommodation ranging from hostel beds to ensuite B&B rooms in their award-winning retrofitted South Downs Eco Lodge; educational programs for schools and youth groups; and a natural burial site. Supporting services include the Beech Cafe (vegetarian/vegan), Eco Squirrel gift shop, venue hire, guided tours, and gift vouchers. The centre operates as a social enterprise charity under The Earthworks Trust, with all profits supporting the charitable mission of creating enjoyable learning experiences for sustainable living across 55 acres in Hampshire's South Downs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Courses and Workshops Adult educational courses across sustainability topics for individuals and adult learners seeking skills in sustainable crafts, permaculture, woodland management, and forest school practice.
• Accommodation Eco-friendly overnight accommodation for individuals, families, groups, and schools visiting Hampshire's South Downs.
• Education Programmes for Schools and Youth Outdoor education programmes for schools, colleges, universities, and youth groups covering sustainability, conservation, Forest School, and John Muir Award activities.
• South Downs Natural Burial Site Natural burial services for individuals and families seeking environmentally conscious end-of-life options in the South Downs.
• Talk & Tour Guided educational tours of the 55-acre sustainability demonstration site for groups, schools, and professionals.
• Green Room Venue Hire Conference and meeting room hire for sustainability-themed events, meetings, workshops, and private overnight functions.
• Beech Cafe On-site vegetarian and vegan cafe serving visitors, accommodation guests, course attendees, and event organisers, with catering for events.
• Eco Squirrel Shop Physical on-site gift shop selling locally made crafts, eco-friendly products, art, books, and honey for visitors to the Centre.
• Eco T-Shirts and Bags (Online Store) Online merchandise store selling sustainable organic cotton T-shirts and bags for adults and children, supporting the Centre financially.
• Gift Cards Gift vouchers available for courses and accommodation stays, redeemable online or by phone.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% energy consumption reduction achieved through eco retrofit
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Portsmouth Beekeepers AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership apiary at The Sustainability Centre managed by Portsmouth Beekeepers Association. Features variety of hive types for training purposes, allowing new and experienced beekeepers to review merits of different hive types and gain handling experience. Honey produced is sold in the on-site Eco Squirrel shop.
• Southampton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorking with Southampton University to monitor performance of South Downs Eco Lodge systems over first year to gather quality user information for sharing. Part of research and knowledge-sharing approach to eco retrofit demonstration.
• National Energy Foundation REACH ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with National Energy Foundation's REACH project working alongside WINNAC (Winchester Action on Climate Change) and PECAN (Petersfield Climate Action Network). Part of National Energy Foundation initiative to inspire retrofit projects in peoples' homes, workplaces, and community buildings.
• WINNAC (Winchester Action on Climate Change)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in National Energy Foundation REACH project. Working with communities in Hampshire to inspire retrofit projects.
• PECAN (Petersfield Climate Action Network)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in National Energy Foundation REACH project. Working with communities in Hampshire to inspire retrofit projects.
• Hampshire County CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in retrofit projects and community sustainability initiatives across Hampshire.
• The Greening CampaignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in sustainability initiatives linking with other UK-wide initiatives.
• The Beech CafecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOn-site vegetarian and vegan cafe providing catering services for events. Specialises in organic, Fair Trade, vegetarian and vegan food. Located next to conference facilities. Contact: Jade or Nathan on 01730 823 755 or [email protected]
• FreewheelersminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCar sharing website partnership enabling visitors to car share when visiting the Sustainability Centre. Supporters can post journeys offering lifts.
• Give As You LivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline shopping fundraising partnership. Over 4,000 retailers (Amazon, Expedia, John Lewis) participate. Small donations automatically go to Earthworks Trust when supporters shop via the platform. Supports 'Leaves for Learning' fundraising campaign.
• dontsendmeacard.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDigital card sending partnership. Proceeds from e-card purchases support The Sustainability Centre fundraising. Alternative to paper cards and postage.
• Local Construction CompaniescoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal construction company engaged for South Downs Eco Lodge retrofit who 'cared about the ethos of the Centre and the project design brief.' Mobile sawmill contractor sourced timber from woodland less than a mile away.
• Wye Wood ProjectminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBuilt tree bogs and wheelchair accessible privy with help from Sustainability Centre volunteers.
• Ben Law / Roundwood Timber Framing CompanycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDesigned and built Woodland Hall in summer 2010 with team of 5 volunteer trainees and local volunteers.
• Southern Solar LtdcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSupplied and installed solar water heating system (September 2005) and PV array installation for the Centre. Local company from Sussex.
• English HeritageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness and organisational supporter of Centre activities.
• South Downs Joint CommitteeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organisation supporting Centre activities within South Downs National Park.
• South Downs Way National Trail (Natural England)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Trail partnership. Sustainability Centre located directly on South Downs Way between Old Winchester Hill and Butser Hill.
• South Downs SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organisation supporter of Centre activities.
• CoversminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBusiness supporter providing products or services for Centre.
• RBATminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness and organisational supporter of Centre activities.
• South East Climate Change NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerClimate action network linking Centre with other initiatives across UK.
• Permaculture AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted Permaculture Convergence (annual meeting of Permaculture Association). Runs permaculture courses with leading practitioners such as Aranya and Caroline Aitken.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Embercombe: Devon-based charity running leadership, sustainability, and personal development programmes on a 50-acre woodland site. Comparable as a UK sustainability education charity with residential courses and a nature-immersive setting.
• Field Studies Council: UK environmental education charity delivering school residentials, courses, and outdoor learning across multiple centres. Comparable for school group bookings, sustainability courses, and residential accommodation models.
• Bore Place: Kent-based charity operating a 500-acre organic farm with residential education, sustainability courses, and venue hire. Directly comparable as a UK charity combining outdoor education, accommodation, and courses on a managed estate.
• Center for Alternative Technology: Wales-based education charity demonstrating sustainable technologies, with on-site eco-accommodation and courses. Closely comparable as a UK sustainability learning centre with visitor experiences and an operational low-impact site.
• Schumacher College: Dartington-based college offering short courses in ecology, sustainability, and transformative learning. Comparable as a UK educational charity running residential sustainability courses with a strong ecological framing.
• The Natural Death Centre: UK charity advocating for natural burial and family-led funerals. Comparable on the natural burial and ecological legacy dimensions of the South Downs Natural Burial Site offering.

Broad incumbents

• Forestry England: Public body managing England's forests with visitor centres, education programmes, and volunteer networks. Comparable on the education and woodland-management dimensions, though much larger and government-funded.
• Center Parcs UK: UK short-break family accommodation operator with forest settings, on-site dining, and activity programming. Comparable as a destination accommodation operator with nature-based positioning, though at much larger scale and broader family-market focus.
• Eden Project: Cornwall eco-attraction combining education, visitor experiences, and event venues on a reclaimed site. Comparable in mission (sustainability education) and visitor-economy model, but materially larger in scale and brand recognition.

Emerging players

• Permaculture Association (Britain): UK membership charity supporting permaculture design education and practitioner networks. The Centre is a host site for Permaculture Convergence and a course delivery partner, making this a closely adjacent enabling peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/suscentre
• Facebookfacebook.com/sustainabilitycentre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-sustainability-centre

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainability Centre