Great activities to enjoy together in the garden

Sculptures in the Landscape Exhibition 2025

The Garden is known for its picturesque settings and innovative artistic showcase of 90 permanent sculptures. The 2025 exhibition showcases a new diverse array of 70 extra sculptures that harmonize with the natural beauty of the landscape. From monumental installations to intricate pieces, each sculpture invites visitors to engage with the environment in a unique and thought-provoking manner.

Botanical Illustrations Workshops

Back by popular demand, we are running two Botanical Illustration Courses, with Bridget Gillespie.

Botanical Illustration is the art of depicting plant forms accurately, to capture their individual characteristics and to aid identification. This 3-day workshop will be in a step-by-step format, with demonstration and individual tuition from Bridget covering drawing, composition and watercolour techniques. Suitable for complete beginners to intermediate painters. Materials are not included.

Bridget Gillespie is an award-winning Botanical Illustrator. In 2002, 2008, 2017 and 2018 she was awarded Gold Medals by the RHS who have purchased several pieces for their archive collection. Bridget has works in the RHS, Hunt Institute collections and illustrated The Northern Pomona.

Workshop Details:

Spring Workshop: Wednesday 30th April – Friday 2nd May 2025

Autumn workshop: Monday 8th – Wednesday 10th September 2025

10am – 4pm Suitable for beginners and intermediate painters.

Cost: £200

Booking essential: info@himalayangarden.com

Spring Garden Experience

Thursday 22^nd May, 11am – 2pm

Spring brings a magnificent display of colour from one of the North’s largest collection of rhododendrons, azaleas and magnolias. Join us for a special spring tour and lunch with the garden team and find out more about our rarer plants and National Collection.

Timings: 11am – 2pm

Cost: £40 (£30 for Season Ticket Holders)

To book: info@himalayangarden.com

Spring colours along a woodland walk

Nature Writing Workshop

Saturday 14^th June, 11am – 4pm

Step into the enchanting Himalayan Garden and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature with nature writer Ruth Satsi, shortlisted for the prestigious Nan Shepherd Nature Writing Prize 2023. Through engaging exercises, Ruth will share insights into the craft of nature writing—how to capture the essence of place, evoke emotion, and tell compelling stories that honour the land.

Ruth Satsi brings not only her literary expertise but also a deep personal connection to the land which formed as a child growing up in rural Thailand. She weaves this into her work with lyrical precision. Her passion for the natural world is infectious, making this workshop an inspiring journey into the heart of nature and self-expression.

In this unique workshop, you will:

Explore the Gardens: Wander through the captivating landscape of the Garden, discovering its artfully designed sculptures, ancient trees, and seasonal blooms. Let the beauty of the land awaken your senses and inspire your creativity.

Connect with Nature: Guided by Ruth, deepen your connection to the natural world. Learn to observe the subtleties of light, colour, texture, and sound that make the park so magical, and translate these observations into evocative, expressive writing.

Learn the Craft of Nature Writing: Through engaging exercises, Ruth will share insights into the craft of nature writing—how to capture the essence of place, evoke emotion, and tell compelling stories that honour the land.

Price: £50 per person

Spaces are limited to ensure an intimate, hands-on experience.

Bring a packed lunch or make use of the tearoom onsite

To book: info@himalayangarden.com

Modern Calligraphy Workshop

Wednesday 25th June, 10am – 12.30pm

Learn how to write beautifully using ink. Suitable for complete beginners this class will teach you everything you need to know starting right at the basics and create your own unique style of lettering. All attendees will get a Calligraphy Starter Kit, including handouts, paper, pen and ink to use and take home, providing everything you need to start your calligraphy journey.

Calligrapher and painter, Sophie Roberts, grew up in London and spent her life in the city, working in property. Her career as an artist flourished after she married William Roberts, whose parents, Peter and Caroline, set up the Himalayan Gardens, which William now manages.

Price £50

Limited places

Book: info@himalayangarden.com

Botanical Casting Workshop

Thursday 10th July 10am -1pm

Join Jenni Radbourne from Wensleydale Botanicals making gorgeous botanical casts at this new workshop
A florist, passionate garden and flower grower, Jenni creates a snap shop in time and lasting imprints of flowers and botanical plants pressed into clay to make fine decorative plaster casts.

Price £70 per person

Thursday 10th July at 10am – 1pm
To book a place email: info@himalayangarden.com

Ceramic Poppies Workshop

Saturday 2nd August

Join ceramicist Anna Whitehouse for a walk and talk about her 2022 poppy installation ‘Bursting From The Slumber’ in the sculpture park, before heading inside to customise your own unique trio of ceramic poppies for your own garden.

Anna will take the poppies back to her studio to glaze, fire and assemble onto steel rods, returning them to the Himalayan Garden for your collection.

Workshop details:

2 hour workshops at:
• 10am – 12noon
• 1pm – 3pm

Price : £70 per person

To book a place email info@himalayangarden.com