November
Now until 13 Nov
Exhibition, In Light: Illuminating Compton Verney. The 18th century mansion, Capability Brown’s Bridge and recently renovated Chapel will be illuminated. Other activities: light drawing, creating solar jars. Entry £13.60 adult, £3 child (01926 645500; comptonverney.org.uk). 10.30am – 5pm, Compton Verney, Warwickshire CV35 9HZ
5 November
Late Autumn Show, display of flowers, vegetables, fruit, flower arranging, and craftwork, together with local children exhibiting. Refreshments, raffle, home-made cakes. Plants for sale. Entry 50p (bansteadhorticulturalsociety.com). 2-5pm Banstead Community Hall, Park Road, Banstead, Surrey SM7 3AJ
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.
7 November
Buckhurst Hill Horticultural Society, talk: ‘Bees in your garden’ by Mr. Paul Harrigan. Members free, £1 non-members. Refreshments (020 8504 8436). 7.30-9.30pm, St. James’ United Reformed Church, Palmerston Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5NG
8 November
Cornwall __garden Society (CGS) lecture: ‘Adventures with Fancy Foliage’ by lifelong plantsman, Julian Sutton. CGS members free. Non-members welcome; donations gratefully received (07743 164434; cornwallgardensociety.org.uk). 7.30-9.30pm, Alverton Hotel, Tregolls Road, Truro, Cornwall TR1 1ZQ
8 November
Harpenden Gardening Society, talk: ‘Bugs & Garden Plagues’ by Geoff Hodge, lecturer. Entry £3. Members free (01582 713138; harpendengardeningsociety.org). 8pm (preceded by AGM @ 7.45pm) Roundwood Park School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 3AE
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.
9 November
Cornwall Garden Society Daytime Lecture: “The Botanical Gardener” by plantsman Julian Sutton. Members free. Non-members welcome (07743 164434; cornwallgardensociety.org.uk). 2.30pm-4.30pm, Tregenna Castle, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2DE
10 November
Plant Heritage Dorset, talk: “Far Flung Treasures of the Southern Cape Province” by Ben Turner of Bournemouth Borough Council. Visitors £2.50, students £1 (07812 175688; nccpg.com). 7.30pm, Conference Room, Kingston Maurward College, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8PY
12 November
Plant Heritage Somerset, members plant sale followed by talk: “Fifty Plants that changed the Course of History” by Bill Laws. Members free, £4 non-members (01278 451631; nccpg.com). 1.30pm sale, 2.30pm talk, Edington Village Hall, Somerset TA7 9HA
16 November
Litchborough Gardening Club talk: “Cities without trees are like birds without feathers” by Prof Jeff Ollerton. Non-members £3 incl refreshments (litchborough.org.uk/news.asp). 7.30pm-9pm, Village Hall, Litchborough, Northamptonshire NN12 8JB
18 November
Various locations workshop: take 45 minutes to create a Luxury Christmas Pot to place outside your front door this festive season. Suitable for all. Tickets £25, incl pot, compost and plants – plus tuition, tea/coffee. Must book (squiresgardencentres.co.uk). 10am or 2pm, at local branches of Squire’s Garden Centres (see website).
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.
19 November
Wokingham Horticultural Assoc winter show. Pumpkins and veg, fruit, flowers, photography, handicrafts and home baking. Sales of bakes, preserves, local honey and eggs; teas. Entry £1, children free (0118 978 9039; w-h-a.org.uk). 2pm-4pm, St Paul’s Parish Rooms, Reading Rd, Wokingham, Berkshire RG41 1EH
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.
26&27 November
Christmas Fair at the Chelsea Physic Garden, a long-established and hugely popular Fair with over 100 exhibitors selling a broad range of beautiful products. Entry £6 adults, free for Friends and under 16s (020 7352 5646; chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk). 10am–5pm Sat & 10am–4pm Sun, Chelsea Physic Garden, 66 Royal Hospital Road, London SW3 4HS
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.
