Future Events

Click here to book any of our future events online using a credit or debit card. If you have any questions or comments about our events, please contact us.

Hidden Gardens of the City of London – 15th September 2018 at 10:30

Location: 10.30 outside the Museum of London, main entrance (coffee in the museum available from 10am). Nearest underground stations: St Paul's or Barbican

Cost: £55.00, Members £50.00 (including a meze lunch near St Paul's)

This event is fully booked, but you may register on the waiting list in case places become available.There are currently 2 people on the waiting list for this event.

When many of the narrow streets of the pre-war city were destroyed in the Blitz, The City Corporation decided to take the opportunity of creating “breathing spaces”. Now in the most unexpected places, nestling in old churchyards and between the glass edifices of the 21st century city are a range of small, but beautifully landscaped and planted gardens. Amongst those we will see are a physic garden dedicated to the Elizabethan herbalist John Gerard, a newly landscaped nectar-rich garden in a bombed out church and a wild-flower garden nestling in the ruins of the Roman city wall.

In the afternoon, we will start off by seeing a few of the new gardens around St Paul's, and then – hopefully – visit the Skygarden on the 35-38 floors of the infamous ‘walkie talkie’ building in Fenchurch Street. (Note - we can only obtain tickets – which are free - on the Monday before our visit so we cannot make a promise). If we are unsuccessful with getting entrance to the Skygarden, we will extend the afternoon tour with a visit to the new riverside plantings. The day will conclude at Monument.

Our guide throughout the day will be the inestimable blue badge guide, Diana Kelsey, who led some of
us on a marvellously revealing visit to the Olympic Park last year.

KGT contact: Richard Stileman - richstileman@btinternet.com

Repton Study Day at Cobham Hall – 22nd October 2018 at 10:00

Location: Cobham Hall, Cobham, Gravesend, Kent DA12 3BL

Cost: £50.00, Members £45.00 (including coffee on arrival, lunch at the Gilt Hall, and tea. Sussex Gardens Trust members will receive the same discount as Kent Gardens Trust members - follow the instructions when booking online)

Book online. There are currently 60 places available for this event.

Humphry Repton was commissioned by the Earl of Darnley in 1790 to advise on improvements to the grounds of Cobham Hall and he continued to work there for 25 years. He was proud of his achievements at Cobham, writing “the house is no longer a huge pile standing naked in a vast grazing ground…. its walls are enriched with roses and jasmines on every side.… all around is neatness, elegance and comfort.”

The day features a keynote talk from Repton scholar Professor Stephen Daniels, author of Humphry Repton and the Art of Landscape, who will show that Repton believed landscape gardening was one of the arts: a new kind of art at the bright beginning of his career, and one of the lost arts at the end. He will survey the repertoire of Repton’s artistic vision in relation to the wider culture of the period, including that of theatre and architectural design. He will also look at other commissions in south-east England, as well as his work with John Nash and his son John Adey Repton.

Other speakers will include members of the Friends of Cobham Hall Heritage Trust, and individuals who have been involved with the restoration of the garden.

After lunch, there will be a guided tour of the grounds with the option of visiting the Mausoleum designed by James Wyatt in 1783-4.

KGT contact: Elizabeth Cairns - Elizabeth@knowlehillfarm.co.uk