Events Around Rutland

Join local artist Sandra Peck for a really enjoyable, relaxed and informative day. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been painting for a while.

A special day of informal walks and talks hosted by Radio 4’s Matthew Biggs. Matt will be touring the Gardens to discover the interesting species that you might otherwise miss, and you are welcome to join him for as long as you like.

In these days of global warming and changing weather patterns, the term ‘putting your garden to bed for winter’ no longer really applies, but there are still plenty of jobs that need to be carried out before the cold weather really kicks in.

Being able to compost all that free material that we generate at home and in the garden is an exciting thought. This course will show you how! Nick Hamilton takes a look at what can and cannot be composted, the requirements of a compost heap, activators, turning a heap and the pros and cons of each type of compost bin.

Join local artist Sandra Peck for another really enjoyable, relaxed and informative day. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been painting for a while.

Roses are notorious for being tricky to trim so if you’re petrified of pruning, we’ve got just the course for you!

Top up your energy reserves with a Barnsdale Full English Breakfast before setting off at 10.30am on a very special guided tour of Barnsdale Gardens with Nick Hamilton at this colourful time of year.

While many of us are more than competent to design and decorate our homes the ideas can often dry up as soon as we move outside. Just where is the best place for a patio or path, the shed, greenhouse or arbour? And of course the whole question of choosing and using plants taxes many of us!

Meet expert spotters and take a special tour of the Gardens with local naturalist Phil Rudkin. You can chat with our clever makers of bird boxes and bug hotels or make a simple bird feeder yourself to take home.

If the thought of pruning your shrubs brings you out in a cold sweat, then this is the course for you! Join Barnsdale’s Head Gardener Jon Brocklebank as he tackles plants in the various pruning groups in two hours of easy-to-follow practical demonstrations.

Grab your secateurs and join country craftsman Martin Keeley to learn all about willow and create something beautiful to take home. In the morning you’ll learn the basics of weaving and make a simple fish, then after lunch in the Tea Room you can progress onto a very realistic pheasant.

Aimed at both experienced and novice growers, Nick Hamilton’s course will show you the many ways you can extend your growing season; learn all about different vegetable varieties, propagation by seed, growing in beds, storage, and the importance of catch crops.

Join local artist Sandra Peck for another really enjoyable, relaxed and informative day. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been painting for a while.

If your garden is not achieving everything you envisaged and you’re unsure what to do, then join internationally renowned garden designer David Stevens for this very special workshop.

If it’s a blasted heath or a sunny cliff top, an urban pocket handkerchief or just a tiny patio, whatever the size and site of your garden there’s a fruit that will love growing there.

Come for a walk in the Weird Woods where you can take part in a spot of spooky apple bobbing and carve your own petrifying pumpkin to take home- it’s frightening fun for all the family, and kids in costume visit free!

Led by Nick Hamilton, this course is aimed at both gardening novices and those who want to find out more about growing and ‘pest-proofing’ their vegetables the natural way.

Lots of plants can be had for free by swapping cuttings with friends and family, or propagating your own. If you’re new to all this, or just want to learn more, then join Nick Hamilton to find out all about the different methods of stem, root and leaf cutting, division and layering.

If you’ve got fruit trees in need of a haircut but no idea how to begin, then we have just the course for you!

Join local artist Sandra Peck for another really enjoyable, relaxed and informative day. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been painting for a while.

In this relaxed and fun workshop, Maria from The Flower Patch, will teach you how to create your own traditional moss based 18 inch (45cm) festive wreath to take home.

Join local artist Sandra Peck for another really enjoyable, relaxed and informative day. It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or have been painting for a while, you’ll have a chance to sit up close and watch a detailed demonstration and then have a go at your own pace, with help as you need it throughout...

Put on your Christmas jumpers and join us for a family festive day of Christmas crafts, cupcake decorating (£1.50 for two cupcakes), festive activities and a delicious afternoon tea for you and the children.