Barnsdale Events
Special seasonal events
Here at Barnsdale we are passionate about passing on our love of plants and gardening, as well hosting other exciting events in the setting of our beautiful gardens. Here is a list of our Events in 2012, most of which are Free with Garden entry.
Spring Flower Fortnight 13-26 February 10am-4pm Garden Entry
Spring Flower Fortnight 13-26 February 10am-4pm Garden Entry
Come and enjoy Barnsdale at this wonderful time of year as the Garden bursts into life. We are showcasing the work of our two resident art course leaders, Hemant Jariwala and Sandra Peck, at an exclusive ‘Impression of Flowers’ exhibition. And you can enjoy a 10% discount off all Hellebores purchased in the Barnsdale Nursery during this special fortnight.
Mother's Day 18 March 9am-5pm Free entry for all accompanied mum's
Treat your mum to a special day at Barnsdale where she can enjoy the beauty of the gardens in spring and maybe even be treated to cup of tea and a gorgeous slice of cake in our tea room. Every mum accompanied by at least one of her children will benefit from free entry on the day.
Easter Egg Hunt 6-9 April 9am-5pm Child garden entry
During the Easter weekend there will be tokens attached to various, plants, trees and structures all around the gardens for children to hunt for. Each token can be redeemed for a small Easter egg from the tearoom. Please note: Only one egg can be redeemed per child.
Nesting Day 6 May 11am-3pm Garden Entry Bring your binoculars and join our local bird expert Philip Rudkin for regular walks around our gardens and learn about the best trees and shrubs to plant for nesting birds. Come and see our own nest box camera which, last year, gave us an insight into the life of a family of blue tits with 9 chicks!
Spring Arts and Crafts Fair 6 May 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Ceramics, stained glass, knitware, jewellery and much more ..... Why not come and treat yourself to something special from our talented local craftspeople? Then you can enjoy a stroll around Barnsdale's 39 gorgeous gardens and features, and maybe a delicious cream tea from our friendly Tea Room. What better way to spand a lovely Sunday afternoon?
Spring Vegetable Weekend 12-13 May From 11am Garden Entry
This event provides an opportunity to have a look around the allotment areas and greenhouses, which are not usually accessible to the public at this very important time in the gardening calendar. A Barnsdale expert will be on hand, on both days, to answer any questions you may have.
This event provides an opportunity to have a look around the allotment areas and greenhouses, which are not usually accessible to the public at this very important time in the gardening calendar. A Barnsdale expert will be on hand, on both days, to answer any questions you may have.
Father's Day 17 June Garden Entry
Beers and barbeques are back at Barnsdale! Treat your dad to a special day out in our beautiful gardens and we will treat him to a bottle of locally produced beer and something from the barbie!
Meet the Bees! 1 July 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Come and meet local apiarist George Shepherd and some of his honeybees. George is the Secretary of the Leicestershire and Rutland Beekeepers Association and will be appearing in the exhibition marquee to show off the tools of his trade and talk about this fascinating passtime. Try on a beekeeper’s outfit, taste some samples, or buy a few jars of local Rutland honey from the gift shop!
Music in the Garden 8 July 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Come and have a wonderfully relaxing and peaceful meander as the sound of live music drifts across the Gardens, creating an ambience not to be missed. Type of music to be confirmed, so watch this space!
Roses Day 14 July From 11am Garden Entry
Join rose expert Stuart Dixon on a glorious walk around the roses at Barnsdale. Stuart will pass on his extensive knowledge deuring regular informal walks and talks. It is possible to join and leave the walks at any time, with Stuart also happy to answer any roses related question you may have.
Croquet and Pimms Party 15 July 11am-3pm Garden Entry ‘Can you play croquet?’ shouted the Queen. The soldiers were silent, and looked at Alice, as the question was evidently meant for her. ‘Yes!’ shouted Alice. ‘Come on, then!’ roared the Queen, and Alice joined the procession, wondering very much what would happen next…
Come and try your hand at this quintessentially English summertime game, and treat yourself to a glass of Pimms or an afternoon cream tea in our beautiful gardens.
Come and try your hand at this quintessentially English summertime game, and treat yourself to a glass of Pimms or an afternoon cream tea in our beautiful gardens.
Hemerocallis Weekend 21-22 July Garden Entry
These truly beautiful, yet underrated plants are at their best in early-mid summer. Come and see them in full flower to appreciate their beauty and array of wonderful colour combinations. And to help you make the most of your visit, we are not only offering a 10% discount on all Hemerocallis bought from the Barnsdale Nursery over this weekend, but the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society will be on hand to discuss anything you ever wanted to know about Hemerocallis.
These truly beautiful, yet underrated plants are at their best in early-mid summer. Come and see them in full flower to appreciate their beauty and array of wonderful colour combinations. And to help you make the most of your visit, we are not only offering a 10% discount on all Hemerocallis bought from the Barnsdale Nursery over this weekend, but the British Hosta and Hemerocallis Society will be on hand to discuss anything you ever wanted to know about Hemerocallis.
Japanese Garden Day 22 July 11am-4pm Garden Entry Come and say konichi-wa to our resident Japanese gardening experts. Nori and Tats Shirai from Tokyo in Japan, will be on hand to answer all your questions about the typical plants, special elements and design requirements of an authentic Japanese garden. A selection of photographs and books on the subject will be on display in the exhibition marquee and the Barnsdale Japanese Garden (normally closed to the public) will be open for close-up viewing (weather permitting).
Garden History Day 29 July 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Come and find out where the tried and trusted old favourites originally came from, and discover some exciting and unusual varieties that are still worth a place in YOUR garden. With talks by Garden Organic's Neil Munro and Mike Thurlow, soap and pomander-making in the herb garden and live Elizabethan recorder music from the Beauvale Ensemble.
Paint Your Own Pot 5 August, from 11am , Garden Entry. Cost of pot, materials and firing £6.50 Your chance to see how traditional japanese 'raku' pots are made and paint your own to take home. Buy a hand made pot, decorate it, and our resident potter will professionally fire it for you in his outdoor kiln. Barnsdale has 37 famous and beautiful gardens to explore and by the time you’ve enjoyed a leisurely stroll around our 8 acres of paradise, your masterpiece will be ready to take home.
Children's Day 12 August 1pm-4.30pm All accompanied children FREE Come and play! We've got drop-in-circus-skills workshops and a prize-winning round-the-garden quiz. There'll be face painting and a chance to get creative and paint a tile for our Children's Garden mud hut bird hide. A day full of family fun and, don't forget, kids go FREE!
Summer Vegetable Weekend 18 & 19 August, from 11am Garden Entry Come and join our celebration of the vegetable garden; our expert growers will be available for advice and top tips and all the private allotment areas not usually accessible by visitors will be open for viewing. On Sunday, in the cookery marquee, Ed Burrows and Paul Freeman of Barnsdale Lodge Hotel will be demonstrating some sensational seasonal dishes. Our vegetable expert, Susie Watson, will be on hand to talk to visitors about anything vegetable or fruit related. As an added bonus Liz Dobbs, gardening guru and former editor of More From Your Garden (Gardens Monthly) magazine will be assisting Susie on Saturday 20th answering any questions, even ones that are non vegetable/fruit related.
Design a crazy vegetable animal - This competition is just for children! Create your own vegetable animal and bring it along to the Barnsdale Gift Shop during the above Vegetable Weekend (but before 12pm on Sunday) and we will add it to our special display. Judging will be at 4pm, with a prize for the lucky winner. Remember, the crazier the better!
Willow Weaving 26 August 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Local craftsman John Shone, of Rutland Willows, shows you how to make pheasants, foxes, garden obelisks and plant supports, as well as other fun items which will be available for you to buy. Bring the children and watch them make a very life-like fish from a bunch of sticks!
Feed the Birds 7 October 11am-3pm Garden Entry
Bring your binoculars and join our local bird expert Philip Rudkin for regular bird spotting walks around our gardens. Learn about the best trees and shrubs to plant for feeding the birds as well as the best feeds and feeders to attract specific birds. Also, bring your children/grandchildren along to make simple bird feeders to take home.Our local willow worker, John Shone of Rutland Willows, will be on site in the Gardens and through the day will be holding several demonstrations of this rural craft. John will bring his willow pheasants and foxes, as well as other examples of his work including different birds and animals, garden obelisks and plant supports, as well as many other fun items which will be available for you to purchase. Why not bring the children and watch them make a fresh fish from a bunch of sticks!
Most of the above activities are FREE with garden entry.