Duke of Edinburgh
Gold award residential
Our fully accredited DofE gold award residential programmes run during the summer school holidays at Nethercott House in Devon and Lower Treginnis in Pembrokeshire. Farming never stops because there are always animals to feed, stables to muck out, harvesting and produce to process and maintenance tasks to complete around the farm.
Open to participants aged 16 and over, you’ll engage with nature as you work towards your award. As well as cultivating transferable skills and collaborating with new people, you’ll enjoy plenty of physical activity, good food and fresh air.
Participant information
We use these weeks to do some of the bigger jobs we can’t always manage when we have younger children on site.
Last year, our groups at Nethercott House worked hard to prepare for the Chulmleigh Fayre and host the Devon Open Garden event, raising money for the charity, whilst at Treginnis our groups built a fantastic shelter for the goats, amongst other vital farm tasks. All activities on the farm will be supervised by our well trained and experienced staff. We will provide all necessary training, tools, equipment and PPE.
The residential is full board and includes all meals which you’ll harvest, prepare and serve as part of your experience with us.
2026 residentials
We’re delighted to share the dates for our popular 2026 Summer DofE Gold residentials:
20th July 2026 – Lower Treginnis, Pembrokeshire
27th July 2026 – Nethercott House, Devon
27th July 2026 – Lower Treginnis, Pembrokeshire
3rd August 2026 – Nethercott House, Devon
The cost of the residential is £399 per person.
You can find more information on what will be offered at each farm below. To express your interest in booking a place, please contact us at bookings@farmsforcitychildren.org.
Getting on-farm work experience can be incredibly useful and rewarding for students who would like a career in food and farming at apprenticeship or degree level. The DofE residential experience at Farms for City Children provides students with practical agricultural experience and the chance to help and support children from urban areas who may have never considered where their food comes from.
Professor Jude Capper
Harper Adams University
“One thing I‘ve learned about the connection between food and farming is that here, there is so much love and hard work that goes into the journey from farm to plate.”
Duke of Edinburgh participant
Nethercott House
“I’d say… get to know people, get stuck in on all of the farm tasks and you’ll have a brilliant time. Don’t forget your wellies!”
Duke of Edinburgh participant
Lower Treginnis