November
Until 2 January
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.
Until 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.
25 November-18 December
Enchanted Christmas at Westonbirt Arboretum, every weekend until 18 Dec; spectacular lighting display over a mile-long trail, free Christmas crafts, festive stiltwalkers, classic carols, a traditional children’s carousel, shop, Father Christmas and elves. Must book in advance (03000 680400; forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt-christmas). 5-8pm, Westonbirt, Tetbury, Gloucestershire GL8 8QS
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
26&27 November
Meldreth Christmas Tree Festival a display of over 40 beautifully decorated trees. Home made refreshments both days. Craft and produce stalls. Entrance and parking free. 11am to 5pm Holy Trinity Church, Meldreth, Cambridgeshire SG8 6NT.
26&27 November
Annual festive market, with local food, drink, crafts and produce; a great chance to kick start your Christmas shopping. Live entertainment on Sunday with the East Grinstead concert band. Free entry to the market, normal __garden admission applies. 10.30am-3pm, Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, Biddenden Rd, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 2AB
27th November
Leonard Broadbent Annual Lecture: ‘Wild about Perennials’ by __garden designer, writer and teacher, Noel Kingsbury. Tickets £8, Friends of Ness Gardens & Chartered Institute of Horticulture members £6, students £4 ( (nessgardens.org.uk/whats-on). 2-4pm, Ness Botanic Gardens, University of Liverpool, Neston Road, Ness CH64 4AY.
29 November
Fleet Flower Club’s Christmas Demonstration: “A Cheshire Christmas” by Ian Lloyd. Tickets £12 (01252 625080 or on the door; fleetflowerclub.co.uk). 6.45pm for 7.45pm, The Harlington, Fleet, Hampshire GU51 4BY
29 November
South Lakeland Orchard Group (SLOG) winter talk: "The Origin of the Apple and the even stranger Origin and Spread of Grafting" by Emeritus Professor Barrie Juniper. Non-members £3 at the door incl refreshments (slorchards.co.uk). 7.30pm Old Hutton Public Hall, Cumbria LA8 0NQ
December
1-31 December
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.
2 December
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.
3 December
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.
3 December
Food fair. Festive foods, plants, floral decorations, local preserves. Refreshments. Free entry (01233 758285). 9am-12 noon, Appledore Parish Church, Kent TN26 2DB.
3-4 December
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.
3-11 December
Christmas Tree Festival: Upminster Methodist Church will be decorated with more than 30 Christmas trees on theme of “Let’s Celebrate”. Free entry with donation. Refreshments and Saturday market (01708 222278; upminstermethodistchurch.org). 2-6pm weekdays, 10-5pm Sat, 12-5pm Sun, Upminster Methodist Church, Essex RM14 1AE
6 December
Harpenden Gardening Society Talk: ‘Succession Planting In The Mixed Border’ by Fergus Garrett, Head Gardener, Great Dixter. Entry £3. Members free (01582 713138; harpendengardeningsociety.org ). 8pm, Roundwood Park School, Harpenden AL5 3AE
6-7 and 12-13 December
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.
10-16 December
Cheshire Christmas Tree Festival. Visit our medieval church and enjoy the amazing display of christmas trees and beautiful decorations. Light refreshments, books and bric-a-brac in the church hall. Free entry (01625 409026). 10.30am-5.00pm Sat, and Mon-Fri. 11am-5.00pm Sun. St James Church, Gawsworth, Macclesfield SK11 9RJ
