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Adult Education - Talks and courses

Welcome to our list of talks and courses for adults at Kew Gardens and Wakehurst

Autumn colours in Kew's arboretum

PHOTOGRAPHY

Creative Plant Photography

Tutors: Heather Angel & Giles Angel
Venue: Kew
During this popular course, participants will learn how to extend their vision, both in the way they look at plants before releasing the shutter and the best way to approach photography for each particular subject – when using digital cameras.

Autumn Photography Workshop

Tutor: Clive Nichols
Venue: Wakehurst Place
This is a course devoted to outdoor practical photography amidst the autumn delights of Wakehurst Place, with the guidance of one of the world's most successful flower and garden photographers.

Photographing Trees

Tutor: Edward Parker
Venue: Kew
This popular course is designed to explore ways of producing stunning photographs of trees. It will include tuition on how to photograph entire trees as well as details of bark and leaves.

Interested? Please contact us for more information and course dates or to be added to our emailing list for updates: adulted@kew.org

How to grow vegetables.

HORTICULTURE

Vegetable Gardening

Tutor: Christine Lavelle
Venue: Kew
This comprehensive one day course will cover all the basics of vegetable gardening. Including what you need to know about seed sowing, growing under glass, pest control, recommended varieties etc. to ensure that your plot is productive all year round.

Orchids for Beginners

Tutor: McBeans Orchids
Venue: Kew
This one day course aims to give you the knowledge and confidence to be able to grow orchids successfully in your own home.

Growing Orchids from Seed

Tutors: Philip Seaton & Jonathan Kendon
Venue: Kew
This course aims to teach you to grow orchids from seed: confidently, successfully and professionally.

Seasonal Stroll and Soup

Tutor: Paul Reader
Venue: Wakehurst Place
Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter - come and celebrate the joys of seasonality in this series of quarterly talks and strolls.

Interested? Please contact us for more information and course dates or to be added to our emailing list for updates: adulted@kew.org

BOTANY

Introduction to Botany

Tutor: Barrie Blewett
Venue: Kew

This one day course is designed as a general introduction to the world of flowering plants and is suitable for non-scientists and those that would like to have a deeper understanding of the plants around them.

Interested? Please contact us for more information and course dates or to be added to our emailing list for updates: adulted@kew.org

ART & CRAFT

Kew School of Botanical Illustration

Principal Tutor: Annie Farrer
Venue: Kew

This 10 day course provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the working practice of a botanical illustrator at Kew and for students to discover the methods and materials required. The basis of good detailed botanical illustration is the understanding of precise drawing techniques and these are demonstrated and emphasised during the course. Pen and ink work is also taught as is watercolour painting using the ‘dry brush’ technique.

Distance and Detail: Drawing and Painting Plants

Tutor: Annie Farrer
Venue: Kew

This five day course may be used as a refresher for those who have already completed our two week botanical illustration course as well as for beginners or more experienced artists who would like to learn the basic techniques of botanical illustration both drawing and watercolour. The course will be based in the classroom, Gardens and a Glasshouse giving the opportunity to draw trees, shrubs or flowers in their natural habitat as well as more detailed studies.

Drawing Workshop

Tutor: Erica Baxter
Venue: Wakehurst Place

This outdoor workshop aims to improve confidence in drawing skills through practical application amidst the inspiring gardens at Wakehurst Place.

Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art: Private View and Tour

Tutor: Christopher Mills
Venue: Kew
Come and enjoy Kew’s wonderful gallery of botanical art away from the crowds on this private view and tour.

Flower Arranging Demonstration

In this afternoon event, an accomplished florist will demonstrate a variety of floral arrangements celebrating the beauty of Kew Gardens and Wakehurst Place. Try your luck at winning one of the arrangements to take home in our raffle and enjoy tea and cake after the demonstration.

Living Willow Seats

Tutor: John Waller
Venue: Wakehurst Place
Because many willows are so flexible, and because willow roots when pushed into the soil, it provides an excellent material for instant, living garden structures. On this course you'll be using willow to create a delightful woven living seat with a canopy/hood.

Introduction to Coppicing

Tutors: Andrew King & James Pumfrey
Venue: Wakehurst Place
Come and spend the day in a coppice camp in Pearcelands Wood on this outdoor course learning all about this important woodland skill, the tools required and the variety of coppice products produced.

Christmas Wine Tasting

Venue: Kew
Ever been in a muddle over what wines to serve with a Christmas meal? Are you in need of a bit of inspiration or just want to learn a bit more about wines in general?

Interested? Please contact us for more information and course dates or to be added to our emailing list for updates: adulted@kew.org

Badger watching at Wakehurst Place

NATURAL HISTORY

Fungus Foray

Tutors: Drs Brian Spooner & Martyn Ainsworth
Venue: Wakehurst Place
Do you know which mushrooms are edible and which are poisonous? Why are they vital for the life of a woodland? Where are the best places to find them?

Wakehurst Place has over 170 acres of gardens and woodland which are a treasure trove for lovers of mushrooms and toadstools. So why not come and find out the answers to these questions and more by spending a leisurely afternoon learning about the wonderful world of fungi.

Kingfisher and Badger Watching Evenings

Tutor: Steven Robinson
Venue: Loder Valley Reserve, Wakehurst Place

The Loder Valley Nature Reserve forms part of the Wakehurst Place estate and offers the valuable combination of woodland, wetland and meadowland habitats that are ideal for wildlife. Normally only accessible to visitors by permit, these popular evening events in the reserve are led by the warden.