Rydal Garden Retreat (March 2026)

• Monday 23rd to Thursday 26th March 2026
• £405 per person: includes room, board, refreshments and expert tutoring from our gardeners.
• Leader: Gary Potts

During your stay, you’ll get hands-on guidance from our experienced gardeners, with a variety of tasks that keep the formal gardens and surrounding areas looking their best. Each day will bring something different but here are some of the activities you may be involved in:

Garden Care and maintenance

• Weeding and edging flower beds – keeping borders neat and colourful.
• Plant propagation – learning how we grow new plants from cuttings, seeds, or divisions.
• Rhododendron control – helping to manage growth so that other plants and habitats can flourish.
• Lawn care – mowing, edging, and general maintenance to keep grassy areas healthy.

Trees & Woodland

• Tree planting – giving young trees the best possible start.
• Woodland management – helping to look after our wooded areas, from clearing paths to supporting biodiversity.

Structures & Landscaping

• Dry stone walling – trying your hand at this traditional craft while helping to maintain walls.
• Hard landscaping maintenance – looking after paths, steps, and other features around the garden.

Sustainability

• Compost production – turning garden waste into nutrient-rich compost that supports future growth.

This is a non-exhaustive list, and tasks will vary depending on the weather, however, whatever the work, you’ll find yourself outdoors, learning new skills and meeting like-minded people.