Please note: booking links for these courses will be live from 9.30am Tuesday 19 July
Gardening
Please note that all our gardening courses are mainly classroom based and, for a variety of reasons, can only involve a small amount of practical gardening outside, depending on the topic.
Oriental Gardens from around the World
Are you bored of seeing the same garden styles on television? Join us on an exciting tour of Oriental Gardens around the world and breathe in the magic of a different kind of garden. You might even be inspired to design your very own! Explore the mystique, history and design principles of oriental gardens.
Oriental gardens are gardens with a purpose, filled with symbolism; they attempt to create a peaceful ambience, often through simplicity of design, and avoidance of using an excessive variety of materials, and limiting the number of plants. Oriental gardens strive to create harmony and balance, by imitating nature but rarely through the use of symmetry in the design. Natural components such as rock, water, timber and sand or gravel are important, but may often be used in a stylised or symbolic way.
Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm Jason Loh
5 sessions from 21 September £70/£42 GAL1 Stoke Lodge
Wednesdays 10.30am – 12.30pm Jason Loh
5 sessions from 9 November £70/£42 GAL2 Stoke Lodge
Plants and Planting
A course on plants and planting for all purposes in the garden: covering flowers, evergreens, bushes, and the growing of fruit and vegetables. With content ranging from soil science to plant history this course has something to offer all gardeners who are serious about expanding their knowledge of plants and planting.
Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm Jon Wheatley
8 sessions from 4 October £112/£68 GAJ1 Stoke Lodge
Garden Design
A basic introduction to garden design, construction and plant use, including restoration and a range of simple maintenance solutions. Course content will also include: design principles, drawing and drafting skills, site analysis, construction methods and techniques, as well as water, lighting, irrigation and drainage.
Tuesdays 7pm to 9pm Jon Wheatley
8 sessions from 17 January £112/£68 GAJ2 Stoke Lodge
The Hidden History of Horticulture
A look at some of the women and men who shaped our gardens and the plants they made popular. A little garden history from a horticultural perspective.
Friday 10am -12.30pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 7, 14 & 21 October £60/£36 GAC31 Stoke Lodge
Design your own garden
An opportunity to improve and refresh your garden with support and help from a professional garden designer. Learn how to redesign your own plot, beginning with basic principles and going on to look at paving, ponds and other garden features. A separate course on choosing plants for your garden will also be offered in the Spring term.
Maximum number of participants: 8
NB It is important that participants have a garden, or part of a garden, to work on during the sessions.
Deadline for enrolment: 21 October, ie 3 weeks before the course takes place as an information pack will be sent out to students before the first session of the course.
Saturdays 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
3 sessions on 12 & 26 November and 3 December £140/£84 GAC41 Stoke Lodge
Deadline for enrolment: 6 January, ie 3 weeks before the course takes place as an information pack will be sent out to students before the first session of the course.
Fridays 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
3 sessions on 27 January and 3 & 10 February £140/£84 GAC51 Stoke Lodge
Choosing Plants for Your Borders
An enjoyable and informal course on choosing the right plants for your garden. Professional garden designer Christine Pritchard will discuss suitable trees, shrubs and perennials and how to put them together for best effect. No previous gardening experience necessary.
Maximum number of participants: 8
Saturdays 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
3 sessions on 4 February, 4 & 25 March £140/£84 GAC6 Stoke Lodge
Choosing Plants for Your Borders
An enjoyable and informal course on choosing the right plants for your garden. Professional garden designer Christine Pritchard will discuss suitable trees, shrubs and perennials and how to put them together for best effect. No previous gardening experience necessary.
Maximum number of participants: 8
Fridays 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
3 sessions on 24 February and 3 & 10 March £140/£84 GAC7 Stoke Lodge
One-day gardening courses on Fridays
Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for autumn/winter
One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection.
Friday 10am -3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 30 September £40/£24 GAC8 Stoke Lodge
Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for spring
One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection.
Friday 10am -3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 2 December £40/£24 GAC9 Stoke Lodge
Seasonal Gardening: Make the best of your garden in time for summer
One in a series of short day courses designed to make every gardening season special by anticipating what can be done and how. We will include pruning, propagation and plant selection.
Friday 10am -3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 17 February £40/£24 GAC11 Stoke Lodge
Garden Style courses
A series of short one-day courses designed to give you more detailed information and ideas about specific aspects of garden styles.
Garden Styles: Cottage Gardens
Focusing on cottage gardens we will look at both design and planting.
Friday 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 17 March £40/£24 GAC12 Stoke Lodge
Garden Styles: Ponds and water features
Focusing on ponds and water features we will look at both design and pond planting.
Friday 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 24 March £40/£24 GAC13 Stoke Lodge
Garden Styles: Woodland gardens
Focusing on woodland gardens we will look at both design and planting from scratch or using existing planting.
Friday 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 31 March £40/£24 GAC14 Stoke Lodge
Garden Styles: Front gardens
Focusing on the front garden we will look at both design and planting
Friday 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 21 April £40/£24 GAC15 Stoke Lodge
Garden Styles: The Cutting garden
One in a series of short day courses designed to give you more detailed information about specific aspects of garden styles. Focusing on flowers for cutting we have an opportunity to look at both border design and plant selection.
Friday 10am -3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 28 April £40/£24 GAC16 Stoke Lodge
Garden Styles: Naturalistic planting
Focusing on new ways to use plants for informal, wildlife friendly gardening with the emphasis on low maintenance.
Friday 10am to 3pm Christine Pritchard
1 session on 5 May £40/£24 GAC17 Stoke Lodge
Willow Craft
If you are interested in joining a Willow Craft course, please make sure you enrol by the deadline (usually a week before the course takes place) as enough willow needs to be soaked for several days before the course.
Introduction to Willow Weaving
An introduction to the intriguing world of willow sculpture, create three lovely items to
decorate your home or garden.
Week 1 Heart, Week 2 Ball, Week 3 Bird
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place
Materials cost: £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session
Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Sarah Edwards
3 sessions on 5, 12 & 19 October £60/£36 WCS1 Stoke Lodge
Christmas Willow Crafts
Create a beautiful range of nature inspired decorations to decorate your home
Week 1 - Festive Willow Stars
Create beautiful willow stars to decorate your home
Week 2 - Christmas Tree Decorations
Create mini woven Christmas tree shaped decorations and beautiful tree decorations.
Week 3 - Willow Wreaths
Make your own willow wreaths to decorate doors.
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place.
Materials cost: £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session.
Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Sarah Edwards
3 sessions on 16, 23 & 30 November £60/£36 WCS2 Stoke Lodge
Introduction to Basket Weaving
An introduction into the wonderful world of willow: learn the basic techniques to create two beautiful items.
Week 1: Create a Catalan tension tray
Week 2 & 3: Weave a rustic berry basket
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place. Materials cost: £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session
Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Sarah Edwards
3 sessions on 18 & 25 January & 1 February £60/£36 WCS3 Stoke Lodge
Introduction to Willow Weaving
An introduction to the intriguing world of willow sculpture. Create three lovely items to decorate your home or garden.
Week 1 Sphere, Week 2 Heart, Week 3 Bird
No previous experience necessary.
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place
Materials cost: £20.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the first session
Wednesdays 6.30pm to 9pm Sarah Edwards
3 sessions on 8, 15 & 22 March £60/£36 WCS4 Stoke Lodge
Willow craft courses on Saturdays
Willow Moon Gazing Hare
Using locally sourced willow Sarah will show you how to weave willow into a 3D Moon Gazing Hare sculpture. Discover the creative potential of willow, how to prepare it for weaving and how to manipulate it to create sculptures and create one of these wonderful creatures for your garden.
Practical: Make your own woven willow hare, to take home, so please allow for necessary transportation.
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place
Materials cost: £15 per student, payable to the tutor on the day
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 15 October £68/£42 WCS5 Stoke Lodge
Reindeer Willow Sculpture Workshop
Create a festive Reindeer out of willow. Make your own woven willow Reindeer decoration
up to 1 metre tall to take home, so please allow for necessary transportation.
Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place.
Materials cost: £20 per student, payable to the tutor on the day
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 12 November £64/£40 WCS6 Stoke Lodge
or
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 10 December £64/£40 WCS7 Stoke Lodge
Willow Owl Workshop
Create one of these enchanting creatures for your garden. Discover the creative potential of willow, learn the basic techniques and then weave your own Owl from locally sourced willow to take home.
Practical: Make your own woven willow Owl, to take home, so please allow for necessary transportation. Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place. Materials cost: £15.00 per student, payable to the tutor on the day
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 4 February £68/£42 WCS8 Stoke Lodge
Berry Basket Workshop
Weave a fabulous berry basket from locally sourced willow, perfect for collecting homegrown produce, foraging for berries or a stylish eco-friendly option for popping to the shops. Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place. Materials cost: £15 per student, payable to the tutor on the day
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 4 March £68/£42 WCS9 Stoke Lodge
Easter Bunny and Basket Workshop
Weave your own willow Easter Bunny to adorn your home or garden and make a beautiful nest basket for collecting your eggs.
Practical: Make a rabbit and a nest style basket from locally sourced willow Deadline for enrolment: 1 week before the course takes place Materials cost: £15 per student, payable to the tutor on the day
Saturday 10am to 4pm Sarah Edwards
1 session on 25 March £68/ £42 WCS10 Stoke Lodge