Workshops, walks & talks

Exploring plants - Beyond the garden

The events below have a wild plant and nature focus, beyond the garden. At the bottom you will find links to garden related workshops/walks & Talks.

Winter Tree ID

Half day workshops

Various locations - in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire & Suffolk - see below for details

Many of the distinguishing characteristics of trees - such as leaves, flowers & fruits - are lost in winter, which can make it seem tricky to identify one tree from the next. However, look closely and there are many subtle clues to help you with identification - from buds and twigs to bark and overall shape. Once you get your eye in you will see more and more detail, and winter walks will come alive with added interest.

These are a practical workshops that will focus on native tree species, the types you are likely to come across in the English countryside. As well as identification skills you will also learn about some of the natural and cultural history associated with different trees.

Unless otherwise specified, workshops involve time spent in the classroom combined with time outside, walking to view trees.

I am afraid that not all locations are easy access, so if you have any mobility issues, please contact me before booking.

Winter Tree ID workshops are planned at the following locations :-

Sheffield Botanical Gardens

Dates - Saturday 24th January 2026

Time - 10am - 1/1.30pm

Cost - £30 (standard) & £20 (discounted)

Tea/coffee provided

The Venue - Sheffield Botanical Gardens is a wonderful green space in the heart of the city, with a wealth of trees and plants, both exotic and native. Courses take place in the purpose built Dorothy Fox Education Centre, on the south side of the garden and close to vibrant Ecclesall Road.

to book

Doddington Hall, Nr. Lincoln

Dates - Saturday 7th February 2026

Time - 10am - 1/130pm

Cost - £30 (Tea/coffee provided)

Booking via Doddington Hall website - A link will be here once it is on their website

Venue - Doddington Hall is an Elizabethan house outside historic Lincoln. The Hall is surrounded by parkland and woods where many magnificent mature native trees reside, which we visit during the workshop.

to book

Pin Mill Studios, Nr. Ipswich

Dates - Saturday 28th February 2026

Time - 10am - 1/130pm

Cost - £30

Tea/coffee provided

The Venue - Pin Mill is a charming little hamlet on the edge of the river Orwell, with the beautiful Cliff Plantation’ woodland on its doorstep, which we will access for part of the workshop to enjoy the many mature trees there . Pin Mill Studio includes a lovely little cafe that will be open after the workshop, and there is also the well-known Butt & Oyster pub very close by.

to book

Summer tree ID

Half day workshop

at Doddington Hall, nr Lincoln

Trees are deeply rooted in our culture and play a vital ecological role in the landscape, and are also, of course, often beautiful and awe-inspiring. Telling one from another can help bring them, and the countryside, to life.

On this workshop you will learn how to identify some of our native tree species - from the shape of leaves, texture of bark and the overall form of the tree. We will spend time both in the classroom and outside in the parkland close to the Hall, taking a closer look at some of the wonderful specimens here.

The English countryside is home to many beautiful species, and on the Doddington Estate there are some old and interesting examples of oak, beech, sweet chestnut, sycamore, hawthorn, poplar and more.

This is a practical workshop that will focus on native tree species, the types you are likely to come across in the English countryside. As well as identification skills you will also learn about some of the natural and cultural history associated with different trees.

No prior knowledge is needed.

Date - 20th June 2026

time - 10am - 1/130pm

Cost - £30

Booking - Booking via Doddington Hall website - a link will be here when available

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Foraging Walks

An Introduction to wild edible plants

Many wild plants have long been used in the kitchen, but as food habits have changed and plant knowledge has declined, foraging has receded from our lives.

But there is much still to be found not far from our homes, if we choose to look. Apart from the potential to occasionally supplement our diet with someething wild from the countryside, foraging also gives us the opportunity to slow down, tune in and connect with plants and nature.

These slow walks look at soem of the wild plants around us - how to safely identify them, where and when to find them, and the rules that apply when collecting wild food from the countryiside.

Along the way, we will also talk about some of the interesting stories, folklore and natural history that surround plants.

Foraging walks are planned at the following locations:-

Dates for 2026 will be listed below as soon as event confirmed

Pin Mill, Nr. Ipswich

Dates - Tbc

Time - 10am - 1/130pm

Cost - £25

Location - Pin Mill is a charming little hamlet on the edge of the river Orwell, with the beautiful Cliff Plantation’ on its doorstep. We will primarily be in the woodland here.