Christmas has been and gone, and we have welcomed in the New Year, all in a flurry of family, friends, gifts, drinks, dinners and fireworks. Which now of course means that we have nothing left to look forward to until GROW London in June! Only joking! We’ve found plenty of events to brighten your mood in and around the capital this month. Here’s our pick of the best:
RHS GARDEN WISLEY
Butterflies in the Glasshouse
Saturday 18 January – Sunday 9 March
The beautiful colours of butterflies are just the thing to chase away the January blues. See them among the tropical plants in the glasshouse ‘jungle’ and learn more about them as you walk the paths.
There’s plenty to get involved with too: children can help create a giant butterfly willow sculpture on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 January, as well as taking part in some face-painting fun. The RHS is also offering tutored and un-tutored butterfly photography mornings to help you capture magical images of these stunning insects in all their glory (please check the website for details and booking information).
COVENT GARDEN ACADEMY OF FLOWERS
Day Courses
If you’re a lover of flowers and it’s a little bit of artistry ‘know-how’ you’re after, then look no further than the Covent Garden Academy of Flowers which offers a huge variety of different courses throughout the year. On January 17 they are running a Vintage Flowers day course, in which you will discover how to recreate the glamour of yesteryear through flowers using props such as vintage china and lace.
10.30am – 4.30pm
£195 including flowers and materials
WATERPERRY GARDENS
What to do in your garden month by month
January 14
Not sure what you should be doing in your garden this month? The Waterperry experts will teach you everything you need to know – just be prepared to get your hands dirty!
10am
£3
MYDDELTON HOUSE GARDENS
The Ultimate Snowdrop Sale
January 25
Galanthophiles will be sharpening their elbows for this popular sale at Myddelton House Gardens where a select range of nurseries offer all manner of common, rare and unusual varieties of the plant. Go early, and then pick up some planting inspiration from the fabulous display in the eight acre gardens created by EA Bowles.
10.30am – 12pm
£3.50
UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD BOTANIC GARDEN LECTURE SERIES
Ancient Tree Hunt: finding the ancient trees of the UK
January 30
The university’s annual Winter Lecture Series kicks of this month with the ‘Ancient Tree Hunt.’ Led by tree expert Edward Parker, this first lecture looks at some of the country’s finest trees and considers their cultural and environmental importance.
8pm, Saïd Business School
£12