The Vision

Picaroon is a complex and multi-faceted project. Distilling it down into a few sentences fails to share the scope and nuance of all the elements — so this page sets out the wider vision in full.

Background

Johnny Palmer owns The Stables at Leigh Court, purchased as a strategic precursor to acquiring the entire Leigh Court estate. We now intend to buy the whole estate, subject to acceptance of our offer from the current owner. “Picaroon” is the project we will operate with and from the estate.

Culture

Picaroon is an escape from the challenges of everyday life. A place of abundance, support, creativity and energy — where everyone wants everyone else to thrive, succeed and be their best. A love of life, nature and productivity is shared by all. Together we will enjoy the present and build the future.

Community

The community is the single most important aspect of the project. We will attract those who fit within and grow the culture. We want to help people thrive, no matter where they are on their journey. And we want members to help each other in a supportive, collaborative way — a return to the essence of tribal growth. Members are encouraged to organise and host their own events and activities.

Facilities

Picaroon will have the following facilities, which will come online over time:

• The region’s largest aufgus sauna
• Swimming lake
• Large gym
• Woodland meeting and firepit spots
• Accommodation
• Woodland gym
• Woodland working huts
• Bar
• Brasserie / restaurant
• Yoga studio
• Nightclub / studio space
• Podcast studio
• Event spaces
• Meditation rooms
• Tree houses

The Name

“Picaroon” pays tribute to the original owner of the estate — a creative, successful and edgy entrepreneur dabbling on the fringes of seafaring pirate activities. A picaroon is a roguish adventurer and pirate-like character who is rebellious and lives by their wits on the edge of mainstream activity.

Becoming part of the Picaroon community

The main attribute prospective members need to have is that they want to see others thrive, selflessly. Membership is underpinned by a meritocracy of values.

Member events

Throughout the year we will host member events which align with ancient and traditional festivals such as the solstices, equinoxes, Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, Halloween and Samhain. These will be modern interpretations of these events, much loved and always sold out — ranging from all-night parties, to group foraging celebrations, to sunrise swims.

Member-hosted events

There will also be regular member-hosted events such as talks, debates and demonstrations. Members are encouraged to host industry- or pastime-specific meet ups, to which non-members may be invited.

Member experiences

Below are some of the typical experiences our members will have:

• An early-morning sauna with friends, lake swim, breakfast then work
• Campfire meetings in the wood (Friday Campfire will be a regular event)
• Attending evening events such as talks, debates and musical performances
• Chilled afternoons by the lake, with service to table
• Run to and from work through Leigh Woods
• Yoga and related activities on our weekly schedule, either in the library or the basement
• Viewing the latest pop-up art gallery in the grand hall

Reasons for joining

• To be part of a social community with shared values
• Use of the lake (similar to members of Lido or Henleaze)
• To have a place to work away from home, in a natural environment
• To have a second home to take friends and visitors to
• Preferential access to the programme of events
• Preferential access to the domes
• Use of the woodland for meetings or gatherings
• Use of the gym (somewhat of a utility to replace other gym memberships)
• The social fabric of being part of a club

Member activities

There will be a rich programme of member activities such as run club, cycle club, talking groups and themed breakfasts. Members are encouraged to host these.

Food catering

All catering will be managed onsite. The food offering will range from a 7am coffee and pastry to a healthy breakfast from 8am. Breakfast and lunch menus will always feature “everyday food” — food which can form a sustainable part of a healthy diet. Evening catering will be established when needed and event catering will be provided as required by the event bookings. All food to be as local as possible and ethically sourced, preferably organic.

Bars

Picaroon will have the best cocktail bar in Bristol, offering classics, novel seasonal drinks, a range of infusions and non-alcoholic options. Local beers and ciders will also be stocked.

Phones

Guests are encouraged to digitally detox and connect with others where possible. We aim to maintain a calming soundscape. Phones to be silent at all times in all areas. No calls on speakerphone or audible playback in any shared areas. Strictly no phone usage in the tapestry room or sauna. Calls elsewhere to be quiet; louder calls can be made in booths, meeting rooms or outdoors.

Children

Next door is a forest school which can take 7 to 17 year olds. This allows parents to take a break knowing their kids are doing something wholesome.

Hospitality

The entire estate will feature our version of “room service”, whereby members and workspace users can order food and drink to whichever space they are in — an office, a quiet space, by the lake, in the forest or outside the sauna. This will be done via the members platform.

Retreats

“Camp Picaroon” will be a low-cost glamping site at the east end of the estate. Bell tents, a round house and an outdoor kitchen will support wholesome, nature-connected retreats for wellness, plant medicine and sport. These guests may also use the main house, lake and woodland facilities. There will be a high degree of discretion with these events. We anticipate this being popular in summer for retreats, festival-themed birthdays and small company off-sites.

Business partnerships

We will engage with businesses who want to use our space and are aligned with our culture and ethos. This may mean supporting startups, investing in partners, making introductions or even incorporating them into our ecosystem. We want our member base to be of value to businesses based here, so having people looking to mentor or invest in those businesses is good.

Corporate partnerships

We will encourage corporate memberships to allow traditional businesses to give their staff access to a more relaxed and healthy workspace in nature. This will typically involve giving their workforce limited member access as well as use of a co-working space or private office. While a small operational footprint, this will likely be a major contributor to the financial sustainability of the operation.

Event partnerships

We will support creative and alternative events with a can-do “sounds awesome, let’s do it!” approach. Due to our advanced background in live events and engineering, we can be unique in our willingness and ability to support unusual requests. These unusual and experimental events will contribute to the notoriety of the estate.

Nature

We honour and respect the setting we are in. We believe in human habitat existing symbiotically alongside natural ecosystems. The development of glades, wetlands and active woodland management benefits all species, including humans. We aim for maximum biodiversity and embrace the energy this brings. No herbicides or pesticides will be used on the estate. BNG credits gained from our development may also drive financial benefit.

Technology

When built in 1824 the property was at the forefront of technology — we will continue this tradition. Advanced cat-6e data infrastructure will underpin the AV installations to make systems discreet and seamless. Lighting will all be high-CRI, DALI-controlled LED, and advanced CCTV (public spaces only) and door entry contribute to a seamless guest experience. Using mesh networks and 5G repeaters we will achieve a high level of connectivity.

Societal impact

We believe Bristol is losing its edge as a creative, activist city. Bold people doing big things against the grain are silenced, hiding or leaving. Picaroon gives them a place to make the region better, overcome challenges and build. It is also a place where those who want to join the journeys of others can mix, share ideas and learn.

Picaroon will be the catalytic hub that makes Bristol and the region thrive creatively, technologically and socially — as well as enhancing the physical and mental health of all those that come into contact with it.

Wellness activities

We will seek all and any collaborations that enable our spaces to be used to enhance the physical and mental health of our members and the wider community. This will use the woodland extensively.

Wellness businesses

We will favour wellness-based businesses as occupiers in the offices and stable block. Eventually we will have service providers for diet, skincare, aesthetics, recovery and a range of experimental and novel treatments. We want to be at the forefront of the health revolution that is happening.

Accommodation

As well as “Camp Picaroon” we will have Luna Domes onsite. Between six and twelve domes will give our unique premium luxury experience within nature. These will attract a wealthy out-of-town crowd as well as offer one of the most interesting accommodation offerings in Bristol.

The Lake

A major development feature of the estate is the large lake. This is an example of blended human and wild habitat. It will feature reed beds, a sand beach and swimming areas, serving the wild swimming community. A large aufgus sauna will be adjacent to the lake and operate regular sessions for 30+ people. We will support various swimming groups, including providing free access for Ice Breakers every Sunday morning at 8am.

Other amenities

As part of our staged development plan we will create a range of amenities for members and guests including a podcast/video studio, padel courts, helipad, outdoor gym, basement gym, listening room and rooftop terrace.

The future vision

As we build the community, culture, processes and income, a wild array of future developments become possible. These include:

1. A network of tree houses for both accommodation and meeting spaces
2. A geodesic forest restaurant, hosting different guest chefs each summer season
3. Conversion of the vast basement into a Roman hammam with multiple pools and steam rooms
4. A stone circle, inspired by our pagan and druid ancestors, celebrating the summer solstice and offering a great place to mingle (think the Glastonbury Festival stone circle)
5. A rooftop bar with the best views in the region
6. A Picaroon yacht spending each summer in a different part of the Mediterranean — signature Picaroon catering, wellness and adventure, available for members to charter or take cabins on at a sensible price. Likely a 50ft catamaran with four double ensuite cabins plus two single crew cabins
7. Secondary properties for Picaroon members to utilise as part of their membership
8. The Stables to become primarily wellness, aesthetic and biohacking services — ideally including a GP surgery, dentist, multi-practitioner space and innovators using AI for healthcare benefits

Personas

• The creative founder
• The conscious high achiever
• The wellness socialiser
• The root-seeking relocator