The Sharpham Trust

We are an educational charity set in a stunning location near Totnes, Devon.

We connect people with nature and foster mindfulness and well-being through our programme of retreats, mindfulness courses, events and the arts.

At the heart of the Sharpham Trust ethos is our desire to build a more mindful, compassionate and environmentally-sustainable world.

We do this by:

• Continuing to realise the potential of the magnificent and unique assets of the Sharpham Estate
• Continuing to make the life of the Sharpham Estate environmentally-sustainable and a model for others to adopt
• Increasing the opportunities for all sectors of the public to benefit from improved access to the special environment of Sharpham
• Identifying groups that would benefit most from participation in Sharpham's activities

For an understanding of the type of mindfulness offered at The Sharpham Trust, click here

The Trust's principles:

• An understanding of the interconnection of life
• A deep respect for the natural world
• A belief in learning through experience, creative engagement and enquiry
• An acknowledgement of the value of stillness and awareness

We try to exemplify our principles in practical ways including:

• managing our farm land organically without the use of harmful chemicals
• generating renewable energy through solar panels on our barns and heating our buildings with large biomass boilers run on wood chip
• growing our own food and supporting local food suppliers
• using biodegradable cleaning products
• promoting wildlife and biodiversity across the Estate
• encouraging greener transport
• creating a green burial site at Sharpham Meadow

Our Team

The Sharpham Trust is an educational charity. Its Trustees, who are in overall charge of running the House and Estate, are accountable to the Charities Commission.

With a wide range of experience from charitable, educational and ethical business sectors, our trustees share a common interest in the preservation of the heritage of Sharpham House and the sustainability of the Estate. The Trustees appointed Julian Carnell, Trust Director, to manage the Sharpham Trust on a day-to-day basis, and staff to oversee delivery of the events & retreats programme.

Advisory groups of staff, Trustees and external advisors support specific areas of the Trust's activity.

Annual reports & strategy 

Our Theory of Change sets out our vision and values, our activities, outputs and measures, our short and long-term outcomes and our impact.

It can be viewed and/or downloaded here as a PDF

Downloadable annual reports below:  

• Annual Report 2020-21.pdf 4.2Mb
• Annual Report 2019-2020.pdf 4.3Mb
• Annual Report 2018-2019.pdf 1.8Mb
• Annual Report 2017-2018.pdf 2.6Mb
• Annual Report 2016-2017.pdf 1.6 MB
• Annual Report 2015-2016.pdf 2.3 MB
• Annual Report 2014-2015.pdf 2.50 MB
• Annual Report 2013-2014.pdf 1.81 MB
• Annual Report 2012-2013.pdf 3.03 MB
• Annual Report 2011-2012.pdf 2.52 MB
• Annual Report 2010-2011.pdf 1.83 MB
• Annual Report 2009-2010.pdf 1.24 MB

Legal information

The Sharpham Trust - charity number 285767 and company number 01659601