LEARNING AT TATTON IN 2010:
Courses, workshops, lectures, guided walks and activities for adults and children
Booking is essential for all activities.
All prices include Park entry. Please call 01625 374428, or email philip.watts@cheshireeast.gov.uk for further information and to book your place, unless specified otherwise. Activities listed in chronological order, where possible.
Download your free Learn at Tatton booklet here.
Deer Walk and Light Lunch
Thursday 11th February
10am-12pm. £12 per person
Work up your appetite and join the rangers for a guided walk of the winter parkland. See Tatton’s deer in their natural surroundings and enjoy a light lunch to finish at the Stables restaurant. Light lunch includes soup and roll, tea or coffee. Minimum age 18 years.
Deer Feed and Trailer Ride
Tuesdays 16th February, 21st December
9.30-10.30am, £5 adult, £3 child
Take a trailer ride with the rangers to watch the daily deer feed. Get a close look at hundreds of deer feeding in their beautiful natural setting. Minimum age 5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Willow Weaving
Saturdays 20th March, 22nd May, 2nd October
10.30am-3.30pm. £12.50 per person
Using willow from Tatton’s Millennium Wood, be inspired and create a unique piece for your garden. A demonstrator will show you a variety of examples and provide you with ideas to unlock your artistic potential. Why not come along and enjoy a fun day!
Horticultural Course - The Productive Vegetable Plot
Saturday March 20th
10am-3pm. £30 per person
For budding garden enthusiasts who would like to gain maximum production from their vegetable plots as small as a window box or as big as an allotment. Find out about soil, tools and best varieties to grow. Expert advice on your greens with one of Tatton's gardening team.
See our full range of horticultural courses here
Meet the Housekeeper and Butler
Thursday 8th April; Sunday 12th June
11am-12pm. £10 per adult £5 per child.
Step back in time and join Miss Cork, the ever-efficient Housekeeper to Earl Egerton, and Mr New, his formidable Butler. Be on your best behaviour as they show you around the magnificent Mansion and demonstrate their daily duties in this stunning setting. But just who’s in charge of the mansion? Miss Cork and Mr New have their own opinions! For adults and children from 7+.
Home to Roost
Saturday 10th April
10-12pm, £12.50 per person
Meet us at the farm and learn all you need to know about keeping poultry in your back garden. The course includes information on chickens, ducks and geese. Learn more about feeding, housing, breeding, health and even gain advice on showing.
Longbow
Sundays 11th April, 2nd May, 30th May, 27th June, 15th August, 5th September
10.30am -1pm or 2pm-4.30pm. £20 per person per session
Set in the atmospheric medieval grounds of Tatton's Old Hall, a chance to experience the ancient craft and skill of shooting with the English longbow. An ideal introduction for beginners. All equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. Minimum age 12 years.
Lunchtime Lecture: Summoned by Bells
Thursday 15th April
Lecture at 11am, Tour at 12pm, Lunch at 1pm. £10 Lecture only; lecture and lunch £23
Join historical researcher Gwyneth Mitchell and gain a fascinating glimpse into the lives of domestic servants in the 19th century, based on records from country homes across the land. Followed by Mansion tour.
See full programme of lunchtime lectures
Roaming Ranger Morning
Tuesday 27th April
10am-1pm, £20 per person
An exciting opportunity to experience the great outdoors including a walk around Melchett Mere and a visit to the deer sanctuary. Also, participate in a pond survey and help identify species; feed the livestock such as the Hebridean and Soay sheep and Red Deer. Learn more about the day to day role of the ranger and the historic and archaeological landscape from Mesolithic times. Afterwards, warm up with hot soup, a roll and coffee or tea in the Stables restaurant.
Watercolour Workshops
Saturdays 1st, 15th May (beginners' classes), Wednesdays 9th June, 7th July, *3rd November £30 per person per day.
Wednesday 4th August & Thursday 5th August - £55 per person for two days.
10am-4pm
Be inspired by Tatton’s historic gardens and create your own watercolour masterpiece. Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and receive expert guidance and demonstrations from our experienced art tutor. Beginner classes available at the beginning of summer to improve your skills. *Special Christmas theme in November.
To book phone Chris Beesley on 01925 490 109 or 0777 398 2996 or email chris.beesley@virgin.net
Early Morning Wildlife Walk
Sunday 9th May
6am to 8am, £6 per person
Join the rangers for an opportunity to enjoy an early morning walk in the parkland before it opens to the public. Listen to the birdsong; see the birds, deer and other wildlife in their full morning glory. Minimum age 8 years.
Out of Bounds Walk
Tuesday 18th May
10am-12pm. £6 per person
Join the rangers for a guided walk of the woodlands and farmland not usually open to the public. Observe the native flora and fauna of the park in a peaceful and beautiful setting. Minimum age 18 years.
Horticultural Course - Container Gardening
Saturday May 22nd
10am-12.30pm or 1pm-3pm. £30 per person
From pots to troughs, learn the secrets of planting a stunning container display. Then create your own hanging basket to take home. Advice and inspiration on hand from one of Tatton's gardening team.
See our full range of horticultural courses here
Champagne and Flowers
Friday 28th May
6.30-11pm. £60 per person
Meet Sam Youd, Tatton’s Head Gardener for over 30 years, and enjoy an evening summer stroll and champagne around the Egertons' family gardens. Notable features in one of Cheshire’s Gardens of Distinction (which comprises 250 years of garden design and history) include the stylish Italian and Japanese gardens. Later, admire the landscape from the window of Lord Egerton’s apartment overlooking the formal Italian Gardens as you enjoy a superb three course dinner. After dinner entertainment is provided by Sam Youd, Tatton's resident raconteur, who shares some amusing gardening anecdotes.
Revisiting Brideshead
Saturday 5th June
11am-12.30pm. Adult £10, Child £5 (Minimum age 7 years).
Visit Tatton Park, which was used as a location for the classic Granada Television series, Brideshead Revisited. Stroll about the Mansion and Gardens as your guide points out the different areas used in filming.
Lunchtime Lecture: Genealogy - The Next Step
Wednesday 16th June
11am Lecture, Tour at 12pm, Lunch at 1pm
£10 lecture only; lecture and lunch £23
If you have begun your family tree research this lecture is ideal for you. Gay Oliver and Alan Bennett, from the Family History Society of Cheshire, provide their top tips, including how to overcome any research problems you may have encountered. Learn more about their archive research into the Egerton family and estate employees. Followed by Mansion tour.
See our full programme of lunchtime lectures here
Orchid & Insect Walk
Wednesday 23rd June
10.30am-12pm, £6 per person
Join Tatton Park’s ranger Simon Jones , for a summer stroll around the parkland to enjoy its natural beauty. Walk includes appreciation of wildflowers in bloom and a close look at some insect species. Minimum age 8 years.
Tactile Textiles
Sunday 27th June; Friday 20th August
10am -1pm £12.50 per person
Discover the wonderful world of wool and weaving at Tatton’s historic Old Hall. Watch demonstrations by costumed guides and take part in the hands on activities. Suitable for adults and children aged 7+.
Summer Deer Walk
Tuesdays 29th June, 6th July; Wednesday 7th July
7.30pm-9.30pm, £6 per person
Join the rangers for guided evening walks of the summer parkland. See Tatton’s deer in their wild natural setting and – if lucky - observe newborn fawns and calves. Minimum age 8 years.
Angling for Fun
Tuesday 13th July
10.00am-1pm, £8 per person
Set in a stunning landscape, ‘Angling for Fun’ is an opportunity to learn the basics of fishing, including basic tackle set up and fishing techniques to improve your chances of success. Join Tatton Park’s rangers Simon Jones and Gary Cross, for this introduction for beginners. Suitable for adults and for accompanied children aged over 9 years. Limited number of rods available, or bring own. Please discuss at booking.
Lunchtime Lecture - The Italian Connection: The Egertons and Italy
Wednesday 1st September
Lecture at 11am, tour at 12pm, lunch at 1pm.
Lecture only £10, Lecture and lunch £23
Learn more about the Italian influence on the Egerton family's gardens, their collection of artworks, furnishings and books with Caroline Schofield (Mansion and Collections Manager) and Sam Youd (Gardens Manager). Followed by Mansion tour.
See our full programme of lunchtime lectures here
Autumn Deer Walk
Tuesdays 5th October, 12th October; Wednesday 6th October
4pm-6pm, £6 per person
Join the rangers for guided walks of the Autumn parkland. See Tatton’s deer in their beautiful, natural setting and witness the drama of the deer rut. Minimum age 8 years.
Lunchtime Lecture: Elizabeth Gaskell and the 19th century Novel
Friday 8th October
10am start, lunch from 12.30pm
£10 lecture only, £23 lecture and lunch
Join John Rylands University Library's Ed Potten (Assistant Keeper of Printed Books) and Fran Baker (Assistant Modern Literary Archivist) and discover the secrets of Elizabeth Gaskell's world and literary works. Learn about surviving Gaskell archive material from the John Rylands collection and what this tells us about her writing career. Special access to the atmospheric Egerton library.
See our full programme of lunchtime lectures here
Lunchtime Lecture: East to West
Wednesday 29th October
Lecture at 11am, Garden tour at 12pm, lunch at 1pm
£10 lecture only, £23 lecture and lunch
A journey from Japan to Cheshire - Tatton gardener Simon Tetlow uncovers the story of the Japanese Garden at Tatton Park which is considered to be the "finest example of a Japanese garden in Europe". Followed by Garden tour.
See our full programme of lunchtime lectures here
Horticultural Course - Pruning
Saturday November 27th
10am - 3pm. £30 per person
Gear up for pruning your trees and shrubs this autumn. Learn about the correct equipment and improve your knowledge. So, if you've ever wondered why your tree is not as perfect as the ones you see illustrated in books, then the gardening team will be on hand to answer your queries and provide an informative session.
See our full range of horticultural courses here
Horticultural Course - Christmas Decorations
Saturday December 11th
10am-3pm. £30 per person
Indulge your creativity in the festive season. Join the gardening team and produce your own inspirational Christmas wreath to take home.
See our full range of horticultural courses here
CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES
Kiddy Cook
Saturdays 17th July, 7th August, 18th September, 25th September, 11th December; Sunday 17th October
10am-12pm. £22 per child
For aspiring chefs who want to home in on their skills and tantalise their taste buds come along to Kiddy Cook’s pick and cook sessions. Pick seasonal fruit and vegetables in Tatton’s walled garden with a servant from the past and then cook in the Victorian mansion to create a culinary delight to take home.
To book phone Nikki Geddes on 07976 619648 or email hale@kiddycook.co.uk
see also www.kiddycook.co.uk
Boredom Busters
Wednesdays 11th August, 18th August
10am-1pm, £5 per adult, £3 per child
Join the Rangers to hunt for minibeasts in the park’s ponds and woodlands and take a trailer ride to get a close look at Tatton’s deer. Minimum age 5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Junior Longbow
Thursdays 3rd June, 19th August
10.30am - 12pm. £15 per person
We all know Nottingham’s Robin Hood but Cheshire archers were also renowned for their skill and bravery. Young people from Medieval times would practise the art of the longbow. Join us at the atmospheric Old Hall, try longbow, put on armour and live the life of an archer. Suitable for children aged 8-15 years. Children will not need accompanying.