by Lorraine Gibson.

Children are great at being outdoors. They’ll hunker down and spot tiny details in nature that grown-ups often take for granted. Dirt is a friend and they find joy and excitement in anything new or different.

Take a leaf out of their book and try to connect more with nature this year; it’s good for your health, can lift your spirits or at least make you feel you’ve stretched your legs.
With that in mind, Knoll Gardens is offering lots of positive ways for everyone to connect with wildlife in 2023.
It’s launched a fresh new events programme that promises up close and personal experiences with bugs, butterflies and bees – and all the other creatures that call Knoll’s naturalistic gardens home.

The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch has sparked an avian interest in our feathered friends so why not use the half term to encourage that love of nature in little ones by letting them join in the fabulous Feed the Birds session on Wednesday, February 15?
Following on from last year’s first ever Watercolour Workshop, artist Maxine returns with her ‘en plein air’ painting class for all of May.
She’ll be in the garden marquee exploring colour and form with armfuls of exquisite grasses and flowers – all to a backdrop of garden birdsong.
In the gardens as the seasons unfold, immerse your senses in the sounds and scents around you as you relax and unwind with a summer yoga session; capture precious moments on one of Dave’s friendly photography classes; or join a walk full of butterflies and bees with an expert who’ll tell you about the secret worlds of these beautiful – and essential – insects.

Discover how the colour and texture of the gardens change throughout the year on seasonal strolls with Neil Lucas, owner of Knoll, and learn how to garden with grasses and perennials in the wildlife-friendly, natural way.
You can even join one of his renowned Grass Masterclasses, and learn from the best.

For the full programme of events and classes visit knollgardens.co.uk/events.