THE FIRST Camphill centre created to offer opportunities to adults with learning disabilities and other special needs, Botton Village has grown to become the largest Camphill community today. We continue to develop our support for vulnerable people to meet changing individual needs and aspirations
We offer a real community atmosphere where everyone is valued as an individual and, in 2005, we received special recognition in the Deputy Prime Ministers Awards for Sustainable Communities
Our home
Botton is home to around 280 people including 130 with special needs. The village and its five farms nestle in Danby Dale in the beautiful North York Moors National Park. It’s not far to the towns of Teesside in one direction and Whitby, Scarborough and the Yorkshire coast in the other.
In our community houses, large and small, those with special needs share home life with those who support and work with them. We also have accommodation for more independent supported living.
Our village provides a high standard of housing with sturdy farmhouses, purpose-built accommodation, modern barn conversions and houses designed with the needs of the elderly in mind.
We have a health centre, a village hall, church, and the village Waldorf school catering for children from our community and the surrounding area. There is also the Camphill Eurythmy School, training international students.
Our working life
Botton is a working village with everyone using their abilities for the benefit of our community. Our farmers use organic and biodynamic methods in rearing livestock, producing milk and growing crops. We also grow and process biodynamic seeds. Our high standard of farming has been recognised in the national Organic Food Awards.
Our gardeners grow vegetables and fruit and cultivate the walled flower garden beside Botton Hall. We maintain our woodlands for their beauty, environmental value and the timber which we process in our wood yard.
Our food centre produces organic fruit juices and jams; our creamery makes cheese, yoghurt and butter; our bakery produces organic bread and biscuits. 
Our coffee bar caters for residents and visitors; our new village store sells organic and wholefoods and environmentally-friendly household products; the gift shop has items from our craft workshops and those of other Camphill centres. We have a glass workshop, bookshop wood workshop, dollshop, candleshop and weavery. We have our own printers at Camphill Press and goods from ours and other Camphill workshops are marketed worldwide by Camphill Products.
Social & cultural life
Social, cultural and educational activities are as important as our work. Music and drama are often central in our celebration of the Christian festivals, as well as entertaining us either formally in concerts or plays, or at informal get-togethers.
Many recreational groups and evening courses meet weekly and larger social and cultural activities often involve guests from other Camphill communities, providing opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.
Our beautiful surroundings give plenty of opportunities for walking and enjoying nature, and we like to share them with the public as well as the visitors from other Camphill centres who often holiday with us.
Contact
Botton Village, Danby, Whitby, North Yorkshire YO21 2NJ.
Tel: 1287 661298 Fax: 01287 660888
