Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids

What Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids does

Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD) is a UK-registered Community Interest Company operating the largest Druid teaching order in the world, founded by Ross Nichols in the 1960s as a continuation of the Ancient Druid Order tradition. The organization delivers a three-stage distance-learning training course (Bardic, Ovate, Druid) in six languages, supported by a global network of over 50 volunteer mentors and a community ecosystem of more than 300 groups including groves, seed-groups and gorseddau. Eimear Burke has served as Chosen Chief since June 2020, succeeding Philip Carr-Gomm who led the Order from 1988.

The product portfolio is anchored by the multi-year subscription training course, with course materials published and physically fulfilled by The Oak Tree Press from the Order's headquarters in Bolney, West Sussex. Adjacent offerings include The Druid Hearth online community platform (web plus native iOS and Android apps), the monthly Touchstone journal, the School of Celebrancy training programme for rites-of-passage officiants, and a self-published e-commerce store. Media extensions include the DruidCast podcast (200+ episodes, 3M+ downloads), Tea With A Druid YouTube series (400+ conversations), and the Adventures in Nutopia podcast produced with Sony award-winning presenter Dr David Bramwell. The Order is GDPR-compliant and operates across at least 12 countries including the UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Australia, USA, Canada, Switzerland and Poland.

OBOD's revenue model is predominantly subscription-recurring, driven by multi-year training course enrollments that include membership of the Order, a separate monthly Druid Hearth community subscription, and ancillary one-time revenue from the Oak Tree Press e-commerce store and event registrations (Summer and Winter Gatherings, international Weaving gatherings). Go-to-market is product-led and direct-to-consumer via self-serve enrollment on druidry.org, with mid-funnel email newsletters and top-of-funnel content marketing through podcasts, YouTube, and active social channels (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Threads). As a CIC without external investors, OBOD reinvests surplus into mission-aligned initiatives including the Mount Haemus Award, doctoral scholarships, the Sacred Grove Planting Programme, and the Campaign for Ecological Responsibility.

Name

Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids

Legal name

Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids CIC

Website

https://druidry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids is a UK-based Community Interest Company and the world's largest Druid teaching order, offering a three-stage distance-learning course in Druidry across six languages to individual members worldwide, supported by 50+ mentors and 300+ community groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lewes

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Training Course Membership: Distance learning training courses that include membership of the Order upon enrollment. The course materials include books, booklets and leaflets mailed to members.
2. Online Store: The Order operates an online store selling books, publications and course-related materials through The Oak Tree Press.
3. Druid Hearth Subscription: Monthly subscription to the Druid Hearth online community platform with interactive features and community engagement.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids is a mystery school offering a three-stage distance-learning training course in Druidry (Bardic, Ovate, and Druid grades) available in six languages with global mentor support, paired with Order membership. The programme combines physical course materials mailed to members with the Druid Hearth online community platform, the Touchstone journal, podcasts, and ancillary celebrancy training for rites of passage.

Product overview

The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD) operates as a mystery school and spiritual community offering a multi-tiered training programme centred on Druidry as nature spirituality. The core product is the three-stage Druid Training Course (Bardic, Ovate, and Druid grades), available via distance learning in six languages with global mentor support. This is complemented by the Druid Hearth online community platform (web and mobile apps), the monthly Touchstone journal, and the Celebrancy Training Course for rites of passage. OBOD produces multiple media offerings including the Druidcast podcast (200+ episodes, 3M+ downloads), the Adventures in Nutopia podcast series with Sony award-winner Dr David Bramwell, and Tea With A Druid video series (400+ episodes). The Order also maintains an online store through The Oak Tree Press, an extensive digital resource library, and the Mount Haemus Lectures scholarly series.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Druid Hearth: Online community platform for OBOD members featuring interactive features, forums, and community engagement tools.
• The Oak Tree Press
• School of Celebrancy
• Adventures in Nutopia

Products and services

• Druid Training Course (Bardic, Ovate, Druid Grades) A three-stage distance-learning course corresponding to the Bardic, Ovate, and Druid grades, available in six languages, supported by over 50 mentors worldwide. Teaches Druid spirituality, seasonal festivals, tree and plant lore, and magical practices. Includes Order membership and is delivered via printed materials mailed to members.
• The Druid Hearth An online community platform for OBOD members featuring interactive training resources, weekly live videocasts, community forums, and engagement tools, available as a web platform and via native iOS and Android mobile apps.
• Celebrancy Training Course An online training programme in celebrancy teaching how to create and hold rites of passage including weddings, handfastings, baby namings, and funerals. Delivered through the School of Celebrancy (schoolofcelebrancy.org).
• The OBOD Store An online retail platform selling Druid-themed books, courses, tarot decks, and other spiritual products published and distributed by The Oak Tree Press.

Quantifiable outcome

• DruidCast podcast downloaded over 3 million times

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Oak Tree PresscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerThe Oak Tree Press acts as the publisher and distributor of the Order's training course materials. Located at Unit 1, The Granary, Highlands Farm, Bolney, West Sussex, they handle the publication and distribution of all course materials including books, booklets and leaflets.
• International OBOD BranchescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOBOD has established branches in multiple countries including Australia (druidryaustralia.org), France (obod.fr), Germany (druidry.info), Italy (druidry.it), Netherlands (druidry.nl), and Portugal (obod.com.pt). These branches help adapt and distribute the Order's teachings in local languages and contexts.
• School of CelebrancyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Order has developed an online training programme in celebrancy through the School of Celebrancy (schoolofcelebrancy.org), which trains members to create and hold rites of passage including weddings, baby namings, and funerals.
• Dr David Bramwell / Adventures in NutopiaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe Order collaborated with Sony award-winning presenter Dr David Bramwell to create the 'Adventures in Nutopia' podcast, a documentary-style series exploring radical ideas, new myths and social movements for a positive future.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• The Druid Network: The Druid Network is a UK-based umbrella organization supporting Druids and pagans, comparable to OBOD in target audience, geography, and educational/community focus, though organized as a coordinating body rather than a teaching order.
• Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA): AODA is a US Druid order offering formal study programs and initiation-based progression in Druid spirituality, directly competing with OBOD for English-speaking members seeking structured training in nature-based spiritual practice.
• British Druid Order (BDO): BDO is a UK Druid order offering ritual practice, training, and community events, directly comparable to OBOD in mission, geography, and target market. Both compete for members interested in British Druid traditions.
• Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF): ADF is one of the largest Druid fellowships in the world and a direct competitor to OBOD, offering structured training in Druidry, ritual, and nature-based spirituality to individual members globally. Closely comparable in mission, course structure, and target audience.
• Reformed Druids of America (RDA): RDA is one of the oldest Druid organizations, focused on Druid fellowship and ritual practice, comparable to OBOD in audience and category but typically more informal in training structure.

Broad incumbents

• Theosophical Society: The Theosophical Society is a long-established esoteric/mystery school tradition offering study programs, lodges, and publications to seekers worldwide. Comparable to OBOD as a multi-decade mystery school with global branches, educational curriculum, and publishing arm, though broader in metaphysical scope than Druidry.
• Findhorn Foundation: Findhorn is a long-established spiritual community and education center offering courses, retreats, and transformational programs in nature-based spirituality. Comparable to OBOD in mission (spiritual/nature-based learning), audience overlap, and multi-decade operating history, though broader in offering beyond Druidry specifically.
• Schumacher College: Schumacher College offers short courses and programs in ecology, sustainability, and re-enchantment, attracting learners interested in nature-based and transformative education. Overlaps with OBOD on the nature-spirituality intersection and adult learner audience, though structured as a UK-based college rather than a global order.
• Pagan Federation: The Pagan Federation is an international umbrella body supporting pagans including Druids, Wiccans, and other nature-based traditions. Comparable to OBOD in audience and educational outreach, though positioned as an advocacy and networking organization rather than a course-based teaching order.

Emerging players

• Druid College International: Druid College offers modern, modular online training in Celtic spirituality and Druidry, directly targeting the same self-directed learner audience as OBOD's distance-learning course but with a younger, more online-native delivery format.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/druidry
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/obod
• Facebookfacebook.com/druidry
• Instagraminstagram.com/oboddruidry
• TikToktiktok.com/@oboddruidry

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids