In our corner of Cumbria, I host workshops throughout the year in our barn or around the table in my farmhouse kitchen, and one or two other very special venues.
I release dates for my workshops in the early Spring ahead of the start to my season. However, I often work on a private booking basis, so if you have a date in mind - a special celebration, or a treat, or a gift - please do contact me in the form below.
SPRING WORKSHOPS 2026
SEED SOWING WORKSHOP ~ cutflowers
SATURDAY 28th FEBRUARY - 10am to 1pm
in the Stables at the Black Bull Hotel, Sedbergh
£65 per person ~ includes tea+coffee+cake midway through the morning, and delicious soup and sourdough for lunch afterwards.
TO BOOK: Please use the form at the bottom of this page, or call Pepy 07763 201489.
Sowing your own seeds is one of the most fun, least expensive and fast ways to fill your garden and the vases in your home with flowers that YOU chose, you planted and you nurtured. It’s exhilarating that Spring is ahead and we can get going. I will show you how!
THE MORNING:
PART 1 - ‘Seed Sowing’: Background essentials, equipment and sowing your seed selection.
PART 2 - ‘Pricking Out’: As your seedlings germinate and begin to grow they will soon need more space to develop. ‘Pricking Out’ and ‘Potting On’ are two essential techniques that help young plants thrive. You will learn how to recognise when to do this, the careful process of transplanting and how to care for them.
I have ‘pre-sown’ some seeds for you to prick out into your own pots to take home.
You will be given all the necessary kit, soil, seeds, trays, labels, pencils, and for the second part of the morning a variety of seedlings and pots to plant them in - for example, statice, cornflowers, annual phlox and lots of others. Full instruction, and a selection of books and resources to browse. You will also receive a take-home guide so you can plant more at home.
The Stables is a light, warm and inviting space and perfect for our workshop.
See you there!
MOTHER’S DAY SPRING BOWL GARDENS
SATURDAY 14th MARCH - 10-12am
in the Stables at the Black Bull Hotel, Sedbergh
£60 per person ~ includes tea, coffee and cake.
TO BOOK: Please book using the form below, or call Pepy on 07763 201489.
Come and make a bowl of bulbs for Mother’s Day ~ a magical, mossy, mini garden of bulbs, ferns, ivy and wild strawberries and little violas too.
You will have a range of hand-picked planters - antique, modern, quirky and interesting - to choose from and to fill. A choice of bulbs - muscari, narcissi, iris, little violas. All materials are provided.
To support the bulbs as they grow and bloom we will use birch twigs with their charming catkins. Treated well, these will sprout with little vivid green leaves. To note - the bulbs will not be flowering for Mother’s Day but will shoot and bloom over the coming weeks. The violas, ferns and strawberry plants provide interest in the meantime. It’s a wonderful gift which will last 3-4 weeks and you can re-use the planter again and again! Care - the bulb garden bowl will need watering a little only every 3 days-ish. The moss will enjoy a spray.
The Stables is a bright, welcoming space - perfect for creating. The Spring Bowl makes a perfect gift for Mother’s Day or a fun activity to do together.
I look forward to seeing you there!
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FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP
I run flower crown workshops for groups of friends, colleagues or hen parties.
It makes a fantastic activity to do together with friends and family - all ages and no previous experience required at all! The setting is our historic barn. It’s a very relaxed environment, and you will be guided by me every step of the way.
Outline of day
Arrive at 11.30am
Welcome and introduction to the morning, the venue and about the garden etc.
We will work at trestle tables or similar in the barn attached to the house. Seats/benches for everyone.
Buckets of flowers will be conditioned and ready for you to use.
We then, if you like, put boots on and head out round the fields and hedges to collect greenery. The farm is surrounded by beautiful meadows. We will bring it all back and put everything in water in the barn.
The barn is a beautiful old building - it retains all its authentic features including an uneven floor and no heating, so please dress accordingly!
The activity
I will demonstrate how to make a flower crown.
I will have set out everything you need for the workshop.
I will get you started and be on hand to guide everyone along.
A lunch of 2 choices of home-made soup with a choice of bread, cheeses and fresh fruit will be served after the activity. Tea and coffee and cordial throughout the workshop.
2pm – end.
*This workshop is also fun as an afternoon activity, and followed by a delicious tea afterwards, and a lazy afternoon in the garden.
Held at Ruecrofts, Marthwaite, Sedbergh LA10 5HU
TO BOOK your group, or for further info, please use the form at the bottom of this page, or call Pepy 07763 201489.
HAND-TIED BOUQUET WORKSHOP
I run bespoke hand-tied bouquet workshops in my farmhouse kitchen. Maximum of 5 people.
Be inspired to create a hand-tied bouquet that is very natural and wild, very fresh, slightly magical, with a spirit of ‘just picked in the Dales’! This course will give you the confidence to create a stunning bouquet using seasonal flowers and foliage. A relaxed friendly and informal workshop.
£65 per person.
You will be shown how to condition your stems, create a relaxed, unstudied arrangement and how to care for your flowers. Wrap your bouquet in a natural, eco-friendly way using tissue and brown paper, and tie off with raffia.
Suitable for complete beginners, those with some experience and any flower lovers.
Held at Ruecrofts, Marthwaite, Sedbergh LA10 5HU,
including tea, coffee and homemade cake and biscuits
TEA-FOR-TWO FLOWERS
A morning or afternoon of flowers, cake and beautiful Cumbrian countryside with your favourite person!
The Howgills are an unspoilt and special place to spend a day.
You will pick your own flowers and foliage from the garden and surrounding meadows, with guidance from me.
We will wander in the garden, we can chat about the cutting garden, and choose your flowers with my support. Over tea, coffee and cake in our farmhouse kitchen, you will learn how to condition and prepare your flowers, and learn how the use of often surprising and ‘imperfectly’ shaped material in arrangements can really bring them to life. I will show you how to create a relaxed and ‘just-picked’ feeling bouquet. You will leave with an armful of flowers to brighten up your home, and the know-how to make long-lasting and natural displays for your own home.
Morning starts at 9am, and finishes at 12pm.
Afternoon starts at 2pm, and finishes at 5pm.
This workshop is a wonderful and generous gift for a special occasion. What better way can there be than to while away the day creatively with a friend or someone you love!
£85 each, please contact me: pepy@backyard-blooms.co.uk with your suggested date.
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CHRISTMAS
Christmas Creativity at the Black Bull, Sedbergh ~ being planned!
Last Christmas we ran two Wreath Making Workshops in the newly converted Stables at the Black Bull Hotel. We had a great time, and the space is warm, bright and cosy lending itself brilliantly to creativity! So, we are planning more exciting things for Christmas 2026. Dates will be confirmed, and further details provided, but…
We plan to run the following sessions ~
A traditional but wild and natural Christmas wreath making session;
Make your own Christmas tree decorations from willow ~ reindeer, stars and Christmas trees!
A mini workshop for children to drop in and design your very own Christmas candle decoration.
CHRISTMAS WREATH WORKSHOP OUTLINE:
Start your festive celebrations with a swing by creating your own festive wreath. Expect natural, Cumbrian-grown and foraged materials, fresh and dried and beautifully scented - pine, eucalyptus, spruce, herbs, fruits and spices - and ambiance aplenty. First time or a pro? A demonstration by Pepy, and as much instruction as you need. You will create something uniquely beautiful and long-lasting. All foam free and recyclable.
WHERE: in the Stables at the Black Bull, Sedbergh. Bright and cosy, with a wonderful woodburning stove glowing in the corner.
WHEN: November and December 2026, dates to be confirmed.
COST:
WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE? - all materials, a choice of gorgeous ribbon, instruction, tea, coffee, mince pie and cake. The sessions are for 8 so lots of time for individual focus. Extra goodies always available to purchase from the Black Bull, you can just pop across.
HOW TO BOOK: Please contact Pepy 07763 201489 or please use the form below.
Testimonial
FLOWER CROWN WORKSHOP
“I just wanted to say a massive thank you for Saturday.
Everyone loved it - from 16 years old to 66 years old!
We all learnt a new skill and really enjoyed wearing the crowns for our party in the evening!
Ruth felt so special and it was a great way to spend time together on her hen party.”