Who we are
Heritage-inspired learning rooted in a reimagined Somerset country house
A Letter from Neil
In 2021, I moved from London to Somerset and began restoring The Old Vicarage and its gardens alongside my head gardener and a builder experienced in heritage restoration.
Set in the Mendip Hills, ten minutes from Frome, the house and gardens are still evolving season by season.
What began as a personal restoration gradually became something I wanted to share.
I’ve always loved meeting makers, growers, artists and people building thoughtful independent businesses — hearing their stories and understanding what drives their craft. Asterion & Co. grew from that instinct.
Part of the pleasure for me is sharing the process itself — the garden projects, experiments, setbacks, and the search for brilliant collaborators who can bring something genuinely special to our guests. I share much of that ongoing story on Instagram.
Years ago, someone described me as a “renaissance man”. I’m not sure it was entirely intended as a compliment, but I decided to embrace it. My background has always moved between science and the arts, business and creativity, structure and imagination. Asterion & Co. is my attempt to bring those worlds together.
At its heart, this is about creating the conditions for people to slow down, pay attention and learn well.
We host small-group workshops and experiences led by gardeners, artists, makers and specialists who care deeply about their craft and believe knowledge is best shared generously and practically. Good food, conversation and thoughtful hospitality matter just as much to us as the teaching itself.
Our approach is what we call Heritage-Inspired Learning™: not preserving tradition for nostalgia’s sake, but taking the best ideas, skills and practices from the past and reimagining them for modern life.
Everything we do is guided by five values: camaraderie, craftsmanship, regeneration, accomplishment and integrity.
In simple terms, we want people to leave feeling more inspired, more capable and more connected than when they arrived.
Neil Crump
Founder, Asterion & Co.
Read our profile interview with Neil in The Asterion Journal.
Follow the Asterion & Co. journey on Instagram.
Our values shape everything we do
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Camaraderie
We work well together, fostering warmth and the shared will to build up everyone around us.
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Craftsmanship
We admire people who know their craft and take pride in the detail and beauty that we each create.
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Regeneration
We enrich the people and places we engage with, putting in the effort to ensure everything is better than when we found it.
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Accomplishment
We take pride in making progress and celebrate the shared satisfaction that comes with doing things well.
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Integrity
We act with integrity, speak out when something isn’t right, and only work with those who treat people and the planet well.
However, Asterion is only half the story…
We’re looking for the ‘& Co.’ who see the world as we do.
Our five values below are central to everything we do at Asterion & Co. They shape the culture we’ve set out to build.
They influence who we hire, how we work, and which collaborators we partner with. They guide us in creating memorable and enriching days for our guests. Living these values isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s essential, and we’ve seen their impact play out in meaningful ways.
With that in mind, we’re looking for like-minded collaborators to help shape our upcoming programme.
Running from this winter through to early summer 2026. If you’re a skilled maker, grower, or creative with roots in heritage — whether in food, gardening, interiors, or the visual arts — and you see the world through a similar lens — we should talk. We’ll host your existing workshop with an Asterion flourish.
Create your course
We help talented people grow their brand through teaching — adding income, storytelling content, and new ways to connect deeply with customers. It’s not about giving your ideas away; it’s about elevating what you do and inviting people to appreciate the skill behind it.
We know that running a small business or honing a craft is demanding — often leaving little time to think beyond the day-to-day. But if the values behind Asterion resonate with you, this could be a chance to step back, share what you do best, and grow your practice in new ways.
We’ll support you in shaping a meaningful experience for guests
One that’s grounded in heritage, thoughtfully delivered, and true to your work. It’s something people will remember, and something you’ll be proud to put your name to.
So go on — get in touch, and let’s make something brilliant.
Learn more about the garden or the house…
