Tinkers Bubble

Tinkers Bubble is a small off-grid woodland community in Somerset that employs environmentally sound methods for working the land, avoiding the use of fossil fuels.

The community holds planning permission for self-built houses, contingent on residents making a living from the land. Tinkers Bubble primarily generates income through forestry, apple juice pressing, and gardening, resulting in financial modesty but a wealth of sustainable practices.

Managing approximately 28 acres of douglas fir, larch, and mixed broadleaf woodland, the community utilizes horses, two-person saws, and a wood-fired steam-powered sawmill. Their pastures, orchards, and gardens are organically certified, employing no-dig methods and horse-ploughing. Apple juice and cider production, vegetable cultivation, poultry and beekeeping, as well as preserving, contribute to their self-sufficiency.

With solar-powered 12v electricity, spring water on tap, and compost toilets in use, the community relies on wood burning for cooking, heating, and hot water. Meat consumption from their land is occasional, and while they aim to accommodate diverse diets, reliance on animal products increases during the hunger gap. Outdoor living is predominant, even in the cold winters, as the community is situated on the top of a steep hill, offering ample opportunities to warm up. The site is abundant in wildlife, particularly badgers, deer, and ticks. The community currently consists of six adults and long-term volunteers. While some members consider themselves spiritual, there is no shared spirituality. They welcome new live-in members interested in making a living from the land.