For the three days over the late May Bank Holiday (25, 26 & 27 May) we have some exciting events planned for you!

On Saturday 25th our Farm Shop is holding a Strawberry Fair which will celebrate strawberries and other soft seasonal fruits – there will be plenty of tasters and recipes.

On Sunday 26th and Monday 27th we are holding our first 'Doddington does Vintage' event in our Coach House which will be a fantastic vintage fair full of friendly stallholders selling their retro and collectable items. Browse an amazing carefully-chosen choice of goods, and find something unique and fabulous for yourself, your home or as a gift. You can also enjoy vintage games (boules and croquet) in the Coach House's private garden and partake in a little tea, as our Coach House will also be offering a vintage-style tea party. On your way in, admire the vintage cars on display! Open 10am to 5pm. Admission will be £1 per person (children under 16 free; no extra charge for games but teas available to buy).

Both House & Gardens will open on the Sunday and the Monday.

A visit to Doddington over the Spring Bank Holiday is a chance to enjoy our historic House, delightful Gardens and our Strawberry Fair and new vintage event. Don't forget you can enjoy coffee and cake in our Cafe or book into our Restaurant for lunch (01522 812 505).

Join Dave Newman of Sage Gardener for an illustrated talk about making garden compost and other natural plant foods using largely sustainable and environmentally friendly methods. The talk will be followed by a visit to the Kitchen Garden to see examples of the techniques in action.

10am-12.30pm Members £15, non-members £18 (incl tea, coffee and cake from 9.30am) Meet in Farm Shop. To Book: 01522 812510

The popular Flower Power Plant Fair will return to Doddington in 2013 on Sunday 9 June. You can expect to see a carefully-chosen selection of nurseries and plant growers presenting quality, interesting and inspirational plants for your garden - all set in part of our own Garden!

For more information about the organisers, please visit http://www.flowerpowerfairs.co.uk/ 

This is one of Rachel's favourite courses – willow artist Alison Walling will teach you random weave techniques and you will create a willow bird (we used to say chicken but you just don't know what you are going to create until you start...!). 

The course is run by Guest Tutor, Alison, whose teaching in arts and training in basketry will gently and competently guide you to create something fabulous.

Tea, coffee and all materials are provided, as is a delicious lunch in Doddington's restaurant.

10am – 4.30pm Meet in the Farm Shop

£79pp Pre-booking essential. Suitable for beginners.

To book, or learn more about Rachel and her events, please call her direct on 01400 272344 or email catkinflowers@tiscali.co.uk

Taking place in the Kitchen Garden (under shelter / shade), our relaxed and informal cookery demos highlight what's seasonal and good now. Cookery demonstrator Amy Claridge uses produce from the Kitchen Garden to create interesting dishes, which the audience then polish off!

11am (until approx 1.30pm). Come and go as you please - don't feel obliged to stay for all the dishes.

This even it free wnd there is no need to book.

If you have any queries, you are welcome to contact Amy on 01522 698 698 (office hours).

Scent can have a powerful effect on emotion and mood, and an aromatic garden can be a means to health, well-being and pleasure. This course is designed to help you create your own fragrant space within the garden as well as covering the therapeutic uses of these fragrant plants. The course includes an illustrated talk covering choice of plants to ensure fragrance throughout the year and a demonstration of how to make a highly scented bouquet. The course is run by Dr Rachel Petheram of Catkin Flowers, Doddington's resident cutting florist.

Rachel is a tutor at RHS Harlow Carr, one of the Independent newspaper's top 50 florists in the UK, and also creates some of our beautiful home-grown Christmas decorations.

Tea, coffee and notes are provided, as is a delicious lunch in Doddington's restaurant.

10am – 4pm Meet in the Farm Shop £59pp Pre-booking essential

To book, or learn more about Rachel and her events, please call her direct on 01400 272344 or email catkinflowers@tiscali.co.uk

This course is designed for anyone who wants to grow cut flowers for a specific event. The morning is dedicated to planning and growing seasonal flowers, including a tour of Rachel's cutting garden. In the afternoon you will be taught how to make a hand-tied bouquet and a button-hole, which you will take away with you.

The course is run by Dr Rachel Petheram of Catkin Flowers, Doddington's resident cutting florist.

Rachel is a tutor at RHS Harlow Carr, one of the Independent newspaper's top 50 florists in the UK, and also creates some of our beautiful home-grown Christmas decorations.

Tea and coffee is provided, as is a delicious lunch in Doddington's restaurant , and you will leave with notes and all your flowers.

10am – 4pm Meet in the Farm Shop £79pp Pre-booking essential

To book, or learn more about Rachel and her events, please call her direct on 01400 272344 or email catkinflowers@tiscali.co.uk