I have been involved with gardens and garden design for more than 20 years, exhibited at RHS shows, worked on TV garden programs and taught garden design and horticulture to university students. What I love most of all is helping people to get the most out of their gardens, to recognise that there is more than one way to design a garden and encouraging them to have a go. A few insights and tips can help reduce the sense of mystery that often surrounds the idea of ‘design’.

The courses are mostly full day sessions, and what you might describe as leisure learning, but for those who wish to take it a bit more seriously, I also offer some professional training (please get in touch to discuss if you are interested in this). I have designed the courses to be accessible to anyone with an interest in gardens and plants, regardless of experience or knowledge. They are primarily for fun, enjoyment and inspiration, although hopefully they will whet the appetite for more learning. For the purpose of these courses drawing skills are not necessary. Garden design is a process that is as much about practicality as it is about exploring ideas and most people have more imagination and creativity than they give themselves credit for. Some guidance and new understanding is often all that’s required to tap into that.

Courses take place at a couple of different venues - Doddington Hall in Lincolnshire and Sheffield Botanical Gardens. In both cases, where time allows, some areas of the surrounding gardens are used during courses to provide inspiration, to illustrate design and planting ideas, or just to stretch legs.

Tea & coffee are provided throughout the day, and a set of notes to take home.

In addition to the one day courses, I also run a range of Tree Walks and ‘Talk & Walks’, both at Doddington Hall & Sheffield Botanical Gardens - which you will find in the sections below.

I hope you will find something of interest and please don't hesitate to get in contact if you have a question.

‘Thanks so much Guy……for all your time and enthusiasm and wonderfully illuminating and informative course. I thought my garden was beyond help but am now looking at it and its potential in a completely different way, and understand why its not worked before and how, with bit of tweaking. I can enhance and enjoy it so much more’  (Angie)

Garden design courses

at Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire

We are pleased to be able to offer a range of courses in the wonderful setting of Doddington Hall again in 2024.

Course dates for 2024 are now available. In addition to the scheduled courses, I am also very happy to discuss putting on private learning sessions, for groups up to 4. Just get in touch. 

For course information & dates click on ‘Learn More’

Garden design courses

at Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Sheffield Botanical Gardens is a fantastic green haven in the heart of the city, and we are looking forward to returning in 2024 to offer garden courses in their Dorothy Fox Education Centre.

Course dates for 2024 are now available - for course information & dates click on ‘Learn More’

Tree walks & workshops

Various locations

Trees are such a valuable, beautiful and interesting part of both the countryside & our gardens, and never far from my thoughts, so I am excited to be running a number of tree walks & workshops in 2024, including a couple of Winter Tree ID Workshops at Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

For information on events currently scheduled click on ‘Learn More’ - and there will be more to follow.