Festival of Commoning 2026: Common Ground - Healing Divides

A two-day test of what communities can build together

Festival of Commoning returns to Stroud for two days of conversations, participatory workshops, shared meals and visits to local projects. This year's theme, Common Ground: Healing Divides, looks at practical ways of building belonging, mutual care, resilience and shared power.

The programme moves between Lansdown Hall, St Laurence Church and other venues, with sessions covering community ownership in land, housing, food, energy and leisure. Visitors can hear from grassroots projects, spend time in the public living room at Bank Gardens, or book onto limited-capacity sessions at the Heavens Valley, Common Soil and Stroud Climbing Commons.

Friday ends with a pay-as-you-can dinner at The Long Table and a party at Stroud Brewery. Saturday closes with a participant-cooked meal at Trinity Rooms, while the organisers recommend arriving by train because central parking is limited.

Ticketed. Weekend and day passes are available; some sessions require separate booking.

Friday 2 October to Saturday 3 October 2026 · Multiple venues across Stroud, with registration at Lansdown Hall, Lansdown, Stroud GL5 1BB · Registration from 9am Friday