CHRISTMAS AT DODDINGTON
This course is intended for anyone who would like to design their own garden, while guided by professional tuition. The design process will be explained step-by-step, along with all the fundamental knowledge, skills & techniques needed to develop a scheme. Guidance starts with assessing your existing garden and developing outline concepts, through to planting design & finishing details.
Specific areas covered will include: basic survey techniques, finding inspiration and developing a brief, principles of design, using materials and garden structures, and developing planting schemes. You will also learn about practical considerations such as lighting, working with levels, sourcing and costing.
You will have the opportunity to design your garden stage by stage as the course progresses. There will also be time specifically devoted to discussing and progressing your own design projects. Time between each session can be used to develop your scheme further in your own time.
Only basic drawing skills are required. This course is also suitable for anyone wanting to explore the possibility of a career in garden design.
For more information & to book, contact Guy Petheram.
Tea & coffee provided.
£1450 (limited to 8 places)
12 sessions between March and October 2026, 10am-4pm
The Coach House at Doddington Hall, Lincolnshire, LN6 4RU
Meet the Designer
“Whilst gardens are a personal space, I believe they are also part of the wider environment. Increasingly it is imperative that they contribute to tackling, not adding to, the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Good design, and an understanding of the principles that underpin it, can help to create the beautiful places we want to spend time in, while at the same time treading lightly and providing habitat for other creatures.”
Based in Lincolnshire & Suffolk, Guy has been designing gardens and advising clients for more than 15 years throughout the East of England, and beyond, helping them to create their own green havens, from large country gardens to small town yards. Increasingly his focus is on providing advice and inspiration throughout teaching and on-site consultations.
Promoting gardens that are as sustainable as possible is a key focus, and exhibits at RHS Flower Shows over many years have demonstrated his environmental commitment – Hampton Court in 2010 (‘Human Nature’ – silver-gilt award), Hampton Court in 2009 (‘Coppice’ – silver award) and Tatton Park in 2006 (‘The Function Room’ – silver award).
Guy has worked as a garden design lecturer at Nottingham Trent University, has been a tutor with Learning with Experts and delivers a range of talk & workshops at various venues including Doddington Hall (nr. Lincoln), Sheffield Botanical Gardens and RHS Harlow Carr (nr. Harrogate). He has also worked as a project manager for the BBC series Garden Rescue and, on occasion, contributed articles to a range of magazines including The Garden and the Garden Design Journal.
