South of England Christmas Events

Craft has never been more hip and public gardens and historic houses across the UK have caught on with their own unique Christmas craft courses and events

Public gardens in the UK will soon demonstrate everything from collecting foliage and flowers for Christmas garlands and wreaths to making christmas cards and gifts. The South of England's Victorian walled gardens, arboretums, 18th-century parkland and deer parks will be just some of the settings. (Other regions coming soon.)

Buckinghamshire

Event: Christmas Wreaths and Garlands

Festive workshop using foliage and flowers collected from "Britain's largest work of art".

Where: Stowe Landscape Gardens, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire MK18 5EH

When: December 3 2006, 11am to 1pm

Admission: £5 per person plus normal garden admission

Info: 01280 822850; stowegarden@nationaltrust.org.uk

Cambridgeshire

Event: Christmas Decorations Workshop

Christmas decorating workshop using festive plants and shrubs in and around one of the finest walled town gardens in England. Lunch included. Booking essential.

Where: Peckover House and Garden

When: December 16 2006, 10am to 4pm

Admission: £25

Info: 01945 583463; peckover@nationaltrust.org.uk

Devon

Event: Christmas Decorating 'Hands-On' Workshop

Learn how to make Christmas garlands, topiary and wreaths. Take time off to walk in Killerton's beautiful parkland and hillside garden. Includes lunch and afternoon tea. Booking Essential.

Where: Killerton, Broadclyst, Exeter, Devon EX5 3LE

When: Dec 5 to Dec 6 2006, 10am to 4pm

Admission: £25

Info: 01392 881345; killerton@nationaltrust.org.uk

Hampshire

Event: Christmas Decoration Workshop

Christmas craft workshop with Head Gardener Fran Zaenglein in Europe's largest winter garden and arboretum.

Where: Sir Harold Hillier Gardens and Arboretum, Jermyns Lane, Ampfield, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0QA, England

When: Dec 2, 10am to 4pm

Admission: £39.50 including lunch and materials

Info: 01794 369 318; info@hilliergardens.org.uk

Kent

Event: Christmas Wreath Making

Create your own Christmas wreath in the Great Hall. Beyond it lie the 1000 acres of the Knole's famous deer park.

Where: Knole, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0RP

When: December 6 to December 7 2006, 10am to 1pm

Admission: £50

Info: 01732 462100; knole@nationaltrust.org.uk

London

Event: Christmas Decorations Workshop

Gardening staff will reveal how to choose and use garden greenery for knock-out homemade Christmas decorations. Includes a private tour of Osterley Park House decorated for Christmas, with the staff that did the decorating. Osterley's 18th-century grounds are another attraction.

Where: Osterley Park and House, Jersey Road, Isleworth, Middlesex TW7 4RB

When: December 7 2006, 10:30am to 3:30pm

Admission: £25

Info: 020 8232 5050; osterley@nationaltrust.org.uk

Herefordshire

Event: Festive Foliage Workshop

Make unique Christmas table decorations with traditional Christmas plants and shrubs. Includes a light lunch. The surrounding parkland will be open from dawn to dusk.

Where: Croft Castle, Yarpole, nr Leominster, Herefordshire HR6 9PW

When: December 16 2006, 10am to 3pm

Admission: adults £10; children £5

Info: 01568 780246; croftcastle@nationaltrust.org.uk

Sussex

Event: Children's Christmas Workshops

Kids can learn to make decorations and gifts. For parents, there is the garden with its rare and exotic plants, sunken garden, lakes, cascades and topiary. No booking required. All materials provided. Parental supervision is essential.

Where: Nymans Garden

When: December 10, 11:00am to 1:30pm and 1:30pm to 3pm

Admission: children £2 + normal admission charge

Info: 01444 400321; nymans@nationaltrust.org.uk