Sarah Raven courses

[Brian9600]

Just wondered whether anyone has been on one of these? She is running a day course near me later in the year (covid permitting). It's a talk + practical demo rather than hands-on.

It's £175 so not cheap. I really like her style of gardening though so think I would enjoy it. Would love to hear from anyone who has been on one of her courses or open days. .

I’ve been to several things at Sarah Raven the last time was an open day last year the first one she did after the first lockdown. I’ve also been to a few floristry related classes/courses (I’m a florist).
If you’ve not been I’d certainly recommend it, the gardens are very beautiful and inspiring, the food they provide is very good and teaching excellent.
Sarah was present at all the things I’ve been too and she’s passionate and very knowledgable.
I know it’s expensive but I felt it was overall worth the money as I have such good memories and knowledge.
If you do go allow lots of time to get there, the roads near her are small country roads and take longer to navigate than expected.

I have been to an open day. The garden is stunning, and I wish I had paid more attention because I have moved and am making a new garden. The open day was very good value! I went to a talk she gave on sweet peas and nearly fainted when I actually got to talk to her!

I always wanted to do a course but like you thought it sounded pretty expensive for what you get.

Thank you, both. It’s not at Perch Hill unfortunately but near me in Suffolk. I wonder whether it makes. More sense for me to travel to her as I’d love to see her garden.

Her husband was on the ticket gate when I went to the last open day, it was very funny as it was their first open day post Covid and there lots of confusion about one way systems around the garden and pre ordered lunches, however everyone was very jolly about it, I think we were just so pleased to get out after the last lockdown.
She does some very interesting plant pairing, things I’d never think of and the colour combinations are truly stunning and so are the buildings/setting, definitely worth a visit.
Is the Suffolk talk in a good location? I think if it’s on something you really would really like to learning from it might be worth going.
One of the classes I went on was a floristry large installation demonstration by a florist I really admire called Fiona Pickles, but Sarah was there and gave us a tour of her cutting garden, there were lots of grower/florists on the course and Sarah talked to them at great length about how she grows lots of things it was a real added bonus for them and was such a lovely day.

I’ve been to several of her courses at the Emma Bridgwater factory, which a lovely but non-garden setting.

Really excellent and new gardening advice, very interactive and friendly. Delicious 2-course lunch and refreshments. They have a travelling shop for all the tempting, but overpriced, garden bits. If you go to an autumn or Christmas course, there’s usually a very good selection of reduced price bulbs.

I have to say Sarah Raven presents in a very engaging and interesting manner, even though she must have done the same talk hundreds of times.

Not (yet) to Perch Hill, as that would prob be an overnight stay due to distance. It sounds great.

It’s such a lovely day that it feels like good value for money