October
22 October
Twilight Trek fundraising event: autumnal 5km evening walk to enjoy the National Memorial Arboretum after hours. Entry £7 per person or £25 for family of four. Booking essential (01283 245 100; thenma.org.uk). From 5pm, National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas, Staffordshire DE13 7AR
22 October
Annual Honey Show hosted by Kennet Beekeepers Assoc. Honey beer tasting, lunch by Vaughan’s Kitchen, talks by Prof Adam Hart (BBC’s Hive Alive) & Nigel Semmence (National Bee Unit); candle rolling. A fun day out for adults and children. Free entry (01380 870176; kennet-beekeepers.co.uk). 10am-4pm, The Corn Exchange, Market Place, Devizes, Wiltshire SN10 1HS.
22 October
Capturing Autumn Colours: one day workshop led by Adrian Davies (08452 609000; rhs.org.uk/wisley). RHS __garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
22-30 October
Halloween Half Term at Forde Abbey. A spine tingling week of Halloween fun in the grounds of this 900 year old Abbey. Haunted trail, pumpkin rolling and lots of hands-on Halloween craft. Entry £10 adults, under 15s free (01460 220231; fordeabbey.co.uk). 10am-4pm, Forde Abbey, Chard, Somerset TA20 4LU.
22-30 October
Try pumpkin rolling and join Tom the Tale Teller for a spooky Halloween story walk. Children welcome for a half term of exploring, making and creating. Tearooms open for light lunches, or bring a picnic. Entry £7 adults, £3 over 5s (01476 530063; visiteaston.co.uk). 11am-4pm, Easton Walled Gardens, Easton, Grantham, Lincolnshire NG33 5AP
26 October
Late autumn show, displays of autumn flowers, homegrown vegetables; plants, bulbs and __garden sundries for sale, raffle and displays of floral art. Refreshments, delicious homemade cakes. Free entry (ewellhortassn.co.uk). 2.30-4.30pm, Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom, Surrey KT19 9BH
27 October
Spooks and Surprises Two special scary afternoons for children with a tour of the house. Visit the two mazes. Free face painting. Home made teas. Entry adults £8, children £4.50 (01494 762888; cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk). 2pm-5pm, Chenies Manor House, Chenies, Buckinghamshire WD3 6ER
27 October
Perfumery workshop with Margo Marrone of the Organic Pharmacy; learn about the origins and history of scent and perfumes. Explore perfumery ingredients and make your own Eau de Cologne based on a traditional formula. Tickets £95 (020 7352 5646; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk). 9.30am-4pm, Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
27 October
Rutland Growing Superior Fruit workshop, with Sally Cunningham. How do you pick what’s right for your plot? Learn how to assess your site for rainfall, exposure, frost pockets, pollination groups, soil characteristics and pH. Tickets £74, incl. lunch and Garden entry (01572 813200; barnsdalegardens.co.uk). 10.30am-4.30pm, Barnsdale Gardens, The Avenue, Exton, Oakham, Rutland LE15 8AH.
24-28 October
Autumn Week at Godinton with daily activities; traditional treasure hunt, children’s crafts and garden games in 12 acres of stunning gardens surrounding historic house. Entry £5 adults, £3 children (godintonhouse.co.uk). 1pm-4pm, Godinton House, Godinton Lane, Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP
November
5-6 November
Bonfire and Fireworks: enjoy a bonfire alongside a Frozen-themed fireworks display for children and a dramatic one for adults later. There will also be artists carving ice sculptures as well as food, drink, live bands and more. (01246 565300; chatsworth.org). Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1PP.
8 November
Lecture on Shakespeare’s garden by Sir Roy Strong for the National Gardens Scheme. This year marks the opening of the renovated New Place in Stratford-upon-Avon, its garden tracing the remains of Shakespeare’s original house. Almost 100 years ago this same site saw the first attempt to recreate the type of garden the bard would have known. It is still there today and is an early landmark in garden re-creation. Entry £20 (01483 211535, ngs.org.uk). 6pm-9.30pm, Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR.
19 November
Christmas Flowers workshop: join Jonathan Moseley for expert advice about flower arrangements and design (01525 290333; woburnabbey.co.uk). Woburn Abbey and Gardens, Woburn, Bedfordshire MK17 9WA.
23 November-2 January
Birmingham Magic Lantern Festival: with gardens open until 10pm, visitors will be able to explore the grounds and see spectacular lanterns and lights (01214 541860; birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk). Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Westbourne Road, Edgbaston B15 3TR.
23 November-2 January
Christmas at Kew: the Royal Botanic Gardens will once again light up in November and visitors can embark on a mile-long trail through a wintery wonderland lit with over 60,000 lights (020 8332 5655; kew.org). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE.
24 November
Christmas Cocktails: join Lottie Muir from The Midnight Apothecary to learn how to make heavenly cocktails with ingredients fresh from your garden. Learn how to make infusions, syrups, bitters and liqueurs (08452 609000; rhs.org.uk/wisley). RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
25-26 November
Illuminated gardens: take an evening winter stroll around Powis Castle and see its illuminated gardens, terraces and courtyard (01938 551929; nationaltrust.org.uk/powis-castle-and-garden). Powis Castle and Garden, Welshpool, Powys SY21 8RF.
December
December 3-4
Christmas Gift and Food Fair with holly wreath making workshops at National Memorial Arboretum, 9am-4pm. Beautiful wintry landscape, with stalls of gifts and festive treats, makes this the perfect time to enjoy the arboretum. Suggested donation £1. Free entry to gift and food fair. Workshop equipment provided, incl. mince pies and mulled wine. Tickets £27. Booking essential (thenma.org.uk). National Memorial Arboretum, Croxall Road, Alrewas DE13 7AR.
December 6-7 and 12-13
Festive Floral Workshops: visit the 18th-century Ston Easton Park to see it decorated ready for Christmas, get involved in a floral design demonstration with their expert florists and take a hands-on workshop after a two-course lunch at the award-winning restaurant (01761 241631; stoneaston.co.uk). Ston Easton Park, Bath, Somerset BA3 4DF.
December 1-31
Landscape advent calendar: head out on a winter adventure and follow the Stowe House trail to discover 24 hidden doors in the landscape as part of a giant advent calendar. (01280 817156; nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe). Stowe, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EQ.
December 3
Christmas Decorations in Willow: get in the Christmas mood and learn how to make natural festive decorations for your house and garden. Make anything from chains and wreaths to stars and Christmas trees. (08452 609000; rhs.org.uk/wisley). RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB.
December 2
Stylish Festive Planting: learn how to create your own festive container displays using seasonal plants like hyacinths, amaryllis and narcissi. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate how containers can be used to brighten up rooms and gardens. (020 8940 5230; petershamnurseries.com). Petersham Nurseries, Church Lane, Off Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 7AB.
