Visit RHS Rosemoor near Great Torrington for their Family Gardening Festival this May Half Term, where green fingers of all sizes are invited to plant and play. There’s a whole week of interactive planting activities, creative crafts, inspirational storytelling, puppet shows and fun garden trails to enjoy.
Travel through the seasons on the family garden trail running Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June and explore a year of gardening, with lots of tips about when to do what and what tools to use, so everyone can get gardening together. Don’t miss the vegetable hunt in the fruit and veg garden and be sure to enter the competition to be in the running to win one of the fabulous sets of gardening kit created especially for children by Burgon & Ball!
Visit Mr McGregor's Garden and create your own paper pot for a tomato plant to take home and nurture at home and join in on the free drop-in family planting sessions in the vegetable garden shelter on Tuesday 28 May between 11:00 -12.45 and 14:00-15:30.
Don’t miss the return of Gardener Lilly’s Story Time Adventure on Wednesday 29 May – just head to the Cob Shelter by the Learning Centre for these free drop-in sessions recommended for all ages at 11:00, 12:00, 14:00 and 15:00 (must be accompanied by an adult).
Worried about the weather? Make your plans foolproof by booking for one of 3 performances of the fabulous ‘Flying with Strings’ puppet show on Thursday 30 May at 11:00, 12:00 or 14:00. Inspired by the avian world of Britain, Europe and beyond, this interactive show features intricate string puppetry and live music. See the puppets in action and learn about the world of birds, including the graceful swallow, the charismatic hoopoe and the colourful bee-eater, in the shelter of the small Garden Room. Tickets *£3 per child (booking essential).
Then there are also free drop-in craft activities in the Garden Room to enjoy as a family:
Thursday 30 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm, and 2pm – 3.45pm: Create the body for an egg box hen made with cress to take home and keep growing for your sandwiches.
Friday 31 May, 10.30am – 12.30pm, and 2pm – 3.45pm: Craft a dish from air drying clay and decorate it for the bees or butterflies in your garden, to give them a safe drink whilst they are pollinating your plants.
Both workshops are suitable for all ages but children must be accompanied by an adult.
Whether you play it by ear and join the drop-in activities or plan ahead and book the indoor entertainment, there is plenty to keep everyone happy. You might just plant the seeds of a lifelong adventure with plants!
Garden admission applies, free to RHS members and children under 5 (activities are included unless marked *).
