The CORE Building

The CORE is an environmentally sustainable eco-centre at the base of the  30 acres of the Community Orchard and Nature Reserve.  It has an inspiring, circular design that includes a central space for open use, bringing in natural light from the large central roof light and a large, partly covered veranda area with views overlooking the orchard.  It has a fully equipped kitchen perfect for catering and it seats up to 50 people at tables or 100 standing. There is parking for 2 vehicles and disabled access into the building and from the porch into the accessible garden which then leads through to the Orchard & Nature Reserve.

The building aims to connect people to nature through learning, education and exploration, offering environmental education, skills and nature-based training to individuals, local groups and schools. A space for community events and community get-togethers throughout the year. Restoring mental health and well-being and reducing isolation and loneliness through these connections.

The CORE is used for a host of activities as seen on our ‘What’s on’ page. The building is available for hire by the hour, half-day or full day. Priority of bookings go to those that support our Mission.

Keep an eye out on our What’s on for workshops and events, sign up for our newsletter to get updates & email workshops@stivesorchard.co.uk if you’re interested in hiring the building.

Interested in hiring the CORE? 

The building is available for hire by the hour, half-day or full day for hosting workshops, courses and community use. We particularly encourage those interested in providing nature-based workshops. Please email workshops@stivesorchard.co.uk for more info and to book.

The CORE’s Ethnobotanical & Accessible Garden 

A beautiful, ethnobotanical teaching garden created in January 2025 that sits alongside the St Ives Community Orchard and CORE building.  With fully accessible pathways, beautiful slabs of West Cornwall granite, and a huge range of medicinal, edible, and other useful plants to learn about. Planted and cared for by volunteers.
First planted in Jan 2025, it has been exciting to watch this space grow and the plants are often used in our herbal workshops and in our Community Cafe.
This space is a wonderful addition to our vegetable gardens, Orchard, Forest garden & Nature Reserve and opens up a whole new range of educational opportunities. Do pop your head in and check it out if you’re in the area, or volunteer with us to look after this garden at our regular work party sessions, on Tuesdays from 10-12 pm and Sundays from 11-1.

The Building of the CORE

Build started in May 2023 and was opened in April 2024 and was a wonderful community project involving many people from volunteers and local builders and businesses. Read more about the design, the build, the funding and everyone involved in the building project.

The CORE and the Teaching Garden were funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Cornwall Council has been chosen by the government as a lead authority for the fund and is responsible for monitoring the progress of projects funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

The CORE 

The CORE was the suggested name for our new building that received the most votes at our public consultations. Inspired by the Apple Core of course.

The CORE has many wonderful acronyms –
C – Community
O – Orchard
R – Regenerative / Roundhouse / Resource.
E – Eco-Centre /  Education / Environment / Ecology / Enterprises / Epicentre

The Community Orchard Roundhouse Eco-Centre
The Community Orchard Regenerative Roundhouse Resource for Education, Ecology & Environment and Enterprise

Take your pick!

The build has almost run out of funds, largely due to the increased cost of building materials since the project’s Quantity Surveyor report 3 / 4 years ago. We are looking ahead to get the final touches finished with support from volunteers in the local community, businesses and fundraising.
Contact us if you would like to help at all.