With your hands in the clay, feet in the mud or an apron full of paint. Learning something new is one of my favourite things to do - read: messing around, having fun and being creative. I regularly search the internet for special workshops in the Netherlands. By now I have collected quite a list of favourites.
This time, I share my favourite botanical workshops in the Netherlands. Think creative workshops with plants and flowers, wild picking and botanical cooking workshops. All of them small-scale, at unique locations, or in atmospheric studios and workshops and hosted by people with passion. And last but not least: every botanical workshop is one you can join even without a large group.
What is a botanical workshop?
During a botanical workshop, you’ll get hands-on with plants. Think of workshops on identifying wild plants, a creative botanical drawing workshop, a vegetable gardening workshop or a workshop where you make herbal tinctures or ointments. Do you love plants, animals and nature? Then a botanical workshop is just the thing for you!
1. Create your own botanical artwork during a creative workshop in the orchard - Botanical workshop in Nijmegen, Gelderland
At the urban kitchen garden in Lent (5 minutes from Nijmegen), you follow a creative workshop under the pear trees. At the Warmoes, you will discover how the age-old profession of gardener is brought up to date. A lovely place where you pick your own bouquet in summer, harvest fresh local fruit or have an organic lunch in the cosy living room café. In the orchard, local experts and artists give all kinds of creative workshops using materials from the garden. For instance, potter Els hosts a botanical ceramics workshop and artist Angelique gives a botanical drawing workshop.
- Botanical workshops at the Warmoes are held in the orchard (weather permitting) or in the living room café (weather permitting);
- The creative workshops start in the morning or afternoon and last 2 hours;
- Most workshops are held in summer. Check the activity calendar for the current offer;
- Costs for a workshop at the Warmoes vary approximately between € 40 and € 80 per person and include coffee or tea and lunch;
- Some workshops have a minimum number of participants, this information is always mentioned.
More information about the plant workshops can be found here.
2. Follow a creative workshop in the middle of the woods at Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg - Creative workshop in Hilversum, Utrecht
On the edge of the Hilversum Heath on a hill, Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg is hidden between the dense woods. This extraordinary country estate with old gardens, winding roads, greenhouse restaurant the Gardener and all kinds of unique places to sleep is truly a hidden gem. At Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg, take a creative workshop in the nature studio. Clay your own botanical ceramic tile during a ceramics workshop, make your own vegetable ink, grow your own mushrooms or learn how to naturally fire your work in a special kiln during a pottery workshop.
Tip: in addition to creative workshops, Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg organises all kinds of magical events such as the forest bios, various spiritual retreats, forest bath sessions and cocoa ceremonies. So check the full agenda carefully, because who knows, you might be able to make a combo.
- Creative workshops are held in the nature studio of Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg;
- Costs for a workshop at Buitenplaats de Hoorneboeg vary between € 60 (including coffee, tea and biscuits) and € 150 (including lunch) per person and include materials;
- Coming by car? Book a parking space in advance.
More information about the creative workshops in nature can be found here.
3. Get your hands dirty at a planting workshop organised by Wildernis Amsterdam - Botanical workshop in Amsterdam-West, North-Holland
In cosy Amsterdam Oud-West you will find the green city oasis Wildernis Amsterdam. An organic plant paradise where plant lovers will immediately feel at home. Nice thing is that you will find beautiful houseplants and botanical gifts in this sustainable plant shop, but you can also have a cup of coffee. Everything is Dutch and with a mission to make the city greener. Owners Emma and Fabian regularly host botanical workshops in the shop to help you get your hands on green. Think about a plant cutting workshop, keeping your plants alive, an urban gardening workshop, starting your own herb garden or a creative terrarium building workshop. The workshop offerings change so you'd do well to keep an eye on Wilderness' calendar.
- Botanical workshops at Wildernis are given in the plant shop by various plant lovers and experts;
- The plant workshops start at 19:00;
- Costs for a workshop at Wildernis vary between € 20 and € 60 per person, including coffee or tea (and often materials).
- Some workshops have a minimum number of participants, this information is always mentioned.
More information about the plant workshops can be found here.
4. Become master of your vegetable garden with the permaculture and vegetable garden workshops at de Ceuvel - Botanical workshop in Amsterdam-Noord, North Holland
Do you like to get your hands in the soil of your own vegetable garden? Then I'm sure these vegetable gardening workshops in Amsterdam North will make you happy. The enthusiastic vegetable gardening collective 'Geworteld In Noord' teaches you how to take the best care of your vegetable garden every season. Ecological vegetable gardening in the city they call it. The green workshops are held at the Ceuvel - a creative and sustainable breeding ground. Think of a workshop 'getting acquainted with permaculture', 'a peek into the soil' or a workshop 'make your own growing plan'. Nice to know: at the Ceuvel, coach and bushcrafter Anja of 'The Nature Connection' also organises monthly Wildpluk Expeditions through Amsterdam-Noord.
- The workshop 'Ecological Vegetable Gardening in the City' takes place in the Metabolic Lab at de Ceuvel
- A workshop takes place about every month. Check the agenda of de Ceuvel or Rooted in North for the current offer.
- Costs for a workshop are € 25 per person and € 7.50 with city pass
- A maximum of 20 people can participate in a workshop
More information about these botanical workshops can be found here.
5. Learn to survive in nature during a bushcraft workshop of the Forest Movement - Bushcraft workshop in Drenthe and Gelderland
In the vast nature of Drenthe and Gelderland, Jurjen - founder of the Forest Movement and adventurer - and his team teach you to (over)live with nature. A bushcraft workshop at the Forest Movement takes you back to your own nature. Away from modern life full of conveniences, you will learn how to make fire and cook with what you find in the forest. The Forest Movement offers day workshops on, among other things, finding and preparing edible and medicinal mushrooms, primitive survival and edible plants. Also special: the Power Walk workshop. During this spiritual workshop, based on the beliefs of indigenous peoples, you go on a nature walk along the dolmens of Drenthe to connect with ancient knowledge.
- Nature workshops take place monthly at the Forest Movement. Check the agenda for the current offer;
- Costs for a day workshop at the Forest Movement vary approximately between € 60 and € 95 per person;
- Good to know: Forest Movement is a non-profit organisation and invests 10% of all income in nature management.
- Jurgen teaches a small part of the courses. He works together with an enthusiastic team. Depending on the workshop, you may therefore meet another expert.
More information about the bushcraft and nature workshops can be found here.
Hopefully you are inspired to participate in a botanical workshop. We found many more cool experiences and are happy to share more tips in a second blog. Nice if you also share your tips with us on Instagram at @honeyguide.co.uk or by using #heyhoneyguide.
Love,
Amanda
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