Spring is a wonderful time of year to visit National Trust places in Surrey. With the longer days and warmer weather, it’s great to get outdoors and celebrate the arrival of the new season. Join in the national #BlossomWatch and share your photos on social media.
Why not bring the family on an Easter adventure in nature. Hopping like an Easter bunny, making a home for wildlife, or peeking into veg patches are just some of the different experiences families can enjoy.
The cotton candy pinks and whites of blossom mark that spring is here, and the weather is getting warmer. Visit Winkworth Arboretum for a chance to enjoy this cheerful time of year.
Join us for a free guided tour of the arboretum where our expert volunteer guide will take you on a walk around the arboretum highlighting the many varieties that form part of the landscape of Winkworth.
Blossom Weekend Craft Sessions
This spring get creative at our weekend craft sessions. What better inspiration than the sights and sounds of Winkworth Arboretum. £2 per person plus normal admission.
On Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 April, try your hand at Hapa-Zome, the Japanese art of textile printing with plants and flowers. Suitable for all ages, participants will be able to create their very own artwork using leaves and petals collected from the arboretum.
The following weekend (4-5 May), visitors will be to make Bluebell cards. Perfect for our younger visitors, they’ll be able to design and make their own card using craft paper and pipe cleaners.
Spring Early Morning Photography (Apr/May) – Winkworth Arboretum
Spring at Winkworth is a photographer’s paradise with so much to capture from spring blossom in April to the swathes of bluebells that carpet the woodlands in May. With its lake, hillside, and wetlands it’s also fantastic for capturing nature and wonderful landscape vistas. Winkworth will be opening its gates early on Tuesdays in April and May for photographers to sharpen their photographic skills and capture the tranquillity of this special place. £10 per person. See website for dates and booking.
Wellbeing at Winkworth Arboretum and Claremont Landscape Garden
Join qualified breathing instructor, meditation, and mindfulness coach Nigel Grimes for a morning of a mindful and sensory exploration of Claremont Landscape Garden or Winkworth Arboretum. Breath in the fresh air, touch the trees, listen to the sounds of nature, and soak up the views. Taking the time to slow down and immerse yourself in beautiful natural surroundings does wonders for the mind, body, and soul.
The two-and-a-half-hour Forest Bathing session will start pre-opening, giving participants access to the peace and quiet of these special places ahead of our daily visitors. £43 per person including entry.
Forest Bathing Claremont: Friday 15 March, Friday 26 April, Friday 24 May, Friday 14 June, 9am – 11.30am. Book here
Forest Bathing Winkworth: Saturday 9 March and Saturday 1 June, 9am-11,30am. Book here:
For a deeper connection with nature, why not try join our creative session and record your forest bathing experience on canvas. After your session with Nigel Grimes, you’ll be joined by renowned artist and teacher Irina Taneva who will help unlock your creative curiosity and create a personal masterpiece to take home and treasure. £85.00 per person
Connecting and capturing nature at Winkworth: Friday 19 April and Friday 17 May, 9am – 2pm. Book here.
Grimes also offers a deeper meditative experience with Sound Bath. Surrounded by the ethereal tones of crystal singing bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, and other therapeutic instruments that harmonize with your body's energy centres, you’ll enter a state of profound relaxation and healing.
Forest and sound bathing at Winkworth: Sat 27 April and Saturday 11 May, 9am – 1.30pm. Book here
Doggy Celebration Day at Claremont Landscape Garden - Saturday 27 April, 10am – 5pm
We welcome dogs all year round at Claremont Landscape Garden and this spring we’re dedicating a special day in celebration of our canine companions. Visit with your dog on Saturday 27 April and there’ll be a free treat for each pooch in partnership with Forthglade.
Capture your hound looking it’s best at our ‘Pet Gala’ selfie-station, test their skills in the have-a-go dog agility arena, then enter them into our dog show with prizes supplied by local independent dog food shop, Dogs Deli.
There be dog shows in the morning and afternoon with a variety of classes for your dog to enter. Local radio presenter, James ‘JP’ Pearce will be judging and awarding rosettes in classes including ‘dog that looks most like their owner,’ ‘waggiest tale’ and more.
Free with normal admission.
Garden Friends Half Term Trail at Claremont Landscape Garden – Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June
We’ve teamed up with local children’s author, Rachel Lawston, to create a garden themed nature trail around Claremont. At this time of year, our garden is bursting with life from the chirping of newborn ducklings and goslings to bees buzzing amongst the flowering Rhododendron. Visit during half term for fun games and activities around the lake that will help inspire and form deeper connections with nature that’s all around us.
Guided Walks at Claremont Landscape Garden
Throughout the year, Claremont’s heritage volunteers, offer guided walks of the garden covering different subjects. There are historical walks where you can learn about some of Claremont’s royal residents, to the history of Claremont through the lens of the famous landscape gardeners that help create it. If nature is more your thing, why not come of one of our Tuesday tree walks and learn about the different varieties and their special features.
See our website for dates and times.
Meadow Wonders at Runnymede - Saturday 4 May – Sunday 2 June
Throughout the month of May, we are celebrating the floodplain meadow that forms the heart of Runnymede. Not just as the place here the Magna Carta was sealed but as a haven for wildlife and nature and a centuries-old gathering place for the local community. Throughout spring and early summer our meadow will be buzzing with life as insects’ flit between the wildflowers and swaying grass. It’s a wonderful time to come and experience this beautiful landscape. See below activities taking place throughout May:
- Seed bomb making every Saturday 11am – 1pm
- Free Meadow themed Games 24 May – 3 June 11am – 3pm
- Spotter sheets available for free from tearooms 4 May – 3 June
- Habitat Monitor guided walks. Dates and times TBC
- Late May Bank Holiday Monday 10am – 3pm
- Join us for all the above plus meadow crafts and a chance to meet the Rangers.
