“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” – John Lubbock, The Use of Life
Sunrise over the Somerset landscape
July is the month to fire up BBQs, delve into the market garden and listen to live music drift on the breeze. Let’s go outside to savour summer.
We’re soaking in the beauty of the gardens after hours at new sunset picnics and tuning into the buzz of our precious pollinators and admiring their work. Holidays are on the horizon and our Gather & Grow festival and growing family programme make their welcome return at the end of the month. Alfresco adventures big and small await…
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What’s on in July
Dry Stone Walling
2, 16 & 30 July, 9.30am - 4pm / £150
Try your hand at drystone walling under the expert guidance of Tom Trouton in this hugely satisfying introductory course. Learn about the history, design and practical elements and take away the knowledge to create an array of structures from fire pits to water features.
Dawn Walk: Pollinate
3 July, 7am - 10am / £45
Join Head of Programmes, Arthur Cole to experience the buzz of the gardens at their peak as our precious pollinators go about their work. Take in the vibrant hues of the colour gardens, see waterlilies in bloom and breathe deeply in the rose arbour before breakfast at the Garden Café.
Take a tour of the gardens at their peak
Beekeeping: Respecting The Hive
3, 10, 24 July, 9.30am – 3pm / £150
Enjoy a deep dive into the mind of the hive in this extraordinary, guided interaction with our bee team, which might just change your perspective on your position in the natural world. Includes lunch at the Garden Café and a honey tasting.
Yin Yoga & Breathwork
4, 11, 25 July, 9.30am – 10.45am / £30
Start your Friday with a meditative yoga and breathwork session connecting mind, body and breath with slow, sequenced, floor-based poses. Try this holistic approach to health and happiness with our experienced teacher, tailored to students of all abilities.
An Introduction to Green Woodworking
5 July, 9.30am – 4.30pm / £150
Designed for those who appreciate beautiful craftsmanship and slow, intentional making, this hands-on session will guide you through the essential skills of working with freshly harvested wood. It’s a wonderfully tactile experience with a deep connection to nature and tradition.
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Endangered Basketry: Crafting a Traditional Frame Basket
6 July, 9.30am – 4.30pm / £150
Rooted in rural tradition, you’ll learn new techniques with hazel and skeined willow to shape and weave a heritage basket in a strong yet elegant form. This deeply absorbing workshop is meditative, tactile and rewards patience with your own beautiful, handcrafted basket to use at home.
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Gardener & Chef
9 July, 9.30am – 3pm / £150
One of our favourite alfresco experiences for the summer, a Gardener & Chef session offers a chance to pick, prepare and cook your own estate lunch over fire, with a wealth of inspiration and insight from our expert team.
Farm to Knife Butchery - Lamb
12 July, 9.30am – 3pm / £275
Join our butchers for the full farm-to-knife experience at our new Butchery. Learn to identify the different cuts of lamb, sharpen your knife skills and break down a carcass for cuts to take home before an indulgent carnivorous lunch at Farmyard Kitchen.
Summer Willow Creatures
15, 16 July, 9am – 5pm / £150
Artist and willow weaver, Stefan Jennings will guide you in creating your own willow creature to enjoy in your home or garden this summer. This creative, practical and ancient rural craft is as enjoyable as it is rewarding – the perfect way to spend a day.
Willow creatures with their floral jackets
Dusk Walk: Four Seasons Special
17 July, 6.30pm - 8.30pm / £45
Discover the Four Seasons Garden at this magical time of day and experience the sights and scents of high summer with Arthur Cole and Head Gardener, Harry Baldwin. Culminating in sundowners and charcuterie boards with a view at the Garden Café.
Gather & Grow Festival 2025: Connections
18 - 20 July
Our three-day Gather & Grow Festival returns to the gardens this summer with a new theme of connections: to ourselves, the land, our communities and through food.
Our inspiring series of talks and garden feasts under canvas cooked by celebrated chefs will be joined by a daily programme of wellness sessions, workshop tasters (for adults and Newtings) live music, BBQs and foodie pop-ups – ensuring all the festival feels. Check out the full programme and book your spot in the gardens!
Hort Course: Home Grown Floristry
23, 30 July, 9.30am - / £150
Our resident floriculturist Maiko will lead you through the cut-flower beds at the Farmyard, where you’ll learn how to select, cut and prepare flowers and cultivate beds in your own garden. In the second half of the workshop, you’ll create your own vibrant displays to bring home.
Cut and prepare vibrant floral displays with our expert Maiko
Summer Socials
On sunny days during July & August, 6.30 - 9.30pm / £35 per adult, £15 per child
Our after-hours picnic experience at the heart of the estate continues on sunny days for the summer! Running throughout July and August, we’re firing up the BBQs for supper and sundowners (and gelato) with a view and adding tours and tastings to the mix. Keep an eye on our social channels, as we’ll announce the dates a week ahead.
Newtlings Adventures
24 July – 1 September
With school holidays stretching before us, now’s the time to scope out our growing summer programme. New, exciting and trusty experiences from a cheeky toad trail to tree climbing, falconry meet-and-greets and forest school offer a world of fun for Newtlings of all ages.
