Gentle Garden Journaling Workshop (at my house!)

This special, small, group workshop has been designed to support, compliment or help you begin your own journaling practice whether you are complete beginner or keen sketcher. The workshop will take place in my house and garden which is an eclectic, happy and muddly family space full of arty odds and ends!

Throughout the day, there will be a lovely collection of creative activities and demonstrations available including sketching, watercolour painting, collage, creative writing prompts and simple, beautiful papercraft additions to help you begin or start an illustrated garden journal. 

A small 'in-person' group means there are lots of opportunities for one-to-one support and teaching. There's free access to all my journals and artists books as well as loads of project ideas to get you started. If you are a beginner you might like to add your own spin on the projects provided taking the stress out of the decision making and allowing you to really get the most out of your day. If you've got a bit more experience, you may have a few thoughts on what you'd like to do but would like some additional help with a specific area of your creative practice.

There is lots of things to explore and inspire you in the gardens of April Cottage including: 

• A beautiful and diverse collection of trees and shrubs
• Three wildlife ponds
• A woodland
• A cutting and drying garden
• Two tangled terraces
• Architecural antiques, signage and upcycled bric-a-brac
• Fruit trees
• Sculptural succulents and cacti!
• A Witch's Garden
• Curious siamese cats and guinea pigs
• Lots of 'rewilded' areas of the garden which attract a wide range of wildlife
• Breathtaking views over the Cotswold Valley of Kilcott

We will be based at our big kitchen table which overlooks the garden but the choice is yours as to where you'd like to work with lots of lovely places to sit in the garden too! 

Hot and cold drinks, biscuits and delicious homemade cakes are available throughout the day.

You will need to bring: 

• A Packed Lunch
• Your own Art Materials 
• (A materials list will be sent out to you but have a look here for some general advice on art materials)
• Appropriate weather protection e.g sun lotion/sun hat/sun glasses/rain coat/umbrella
• Optional: A small camping chair/stool is helpful if you want to sketch in a place where there are no seats

Turn it into a long weekend!

Hillesley sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the side of a valley. It's situation between Bath and Stroud making it a great place to compliment a long weekend break in the Cotswolds as it's close to lots of beautiful towns and villages in and around Tetbury and the Stroud valleys.  Hillesley is a walkers's paradise with circular walks connected to both the Monach's and Cotswold way. There are loads of National Trust and NGS Gardens open in the area if you fancy continuing your garden journaling after the workshop.

It's close to Motorway junctions for the M4 and M5 and the nearest railway stations are Stroud, Chippenham and Yate.

There are quite a few lovely Airbnbs popping up nearby! Please get in touch if you would like any further advice about the area.