Country Life rounds up the best things to see, do and book this weekend: attend a Churchill exhibition in Kent, learn about urban beekeeping in London and visit a hellebore garden in Cornwall.
Exhibitions
Until March 13 Guy Taplin, Messum’s, 28, Cork Street, London W1. The beachcombing sculptor’s exquisite driftwood shorebirds (right, 020–7437 5545; www.messums.com)
Until May 31 ‘Arthur Rackham Treasures’, River & Rowing Museum, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The much-loved illustrator’s works, including for The Wind in the Willows, A Christmas Carol and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. A lecture and illustration workshop on February 21 costs £30 (01491 415600; www.rrm.co.uk)
Until November 1 ‘Death of a Hero’, Chartwell, Westerham, Kent. A moving exhibition commemorating the 50th anniversary of Churchill’s death with many previously unseen artefacts (01732 868381; www.nationaltrust.org.uk/chartwell)
February 21–August 9 ‘Kew’s Heritage Trees by Masumi Yamanaka’, Shirley Sherwood Gallery of Botanical Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Surrey. Closed on Mondays (020–8332 3622; www.kew.org)
Point-to-point
February 22 Countryside Alliance Club (Wessex) at Badbury Rings, Wimborne, Dorset. Attractions include a silent auction for work-experience opportunities, including a day at COUNTRY LIFE. Plus Albrighton & Woodland (North) at Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire, Curre & Llangibby at Howick, Gwent, East Cornwall at Great Trethew, South East Hunts Club at Charing, Kent, and North Norfolk Harriers at Higham. For weather reports and form guide, phone the Talking Point hotline on 09068
446061 (www.pointtopoint.co.uk)
Gardening
February 21 Bosvigo hellebore day, Truro, Cornwall. Garden opening, plus hundreds of plants for sale, raffle and teas, in aid of local charity Shelter Box. 9.30am–4pm (01872 275774; www.bosvigo.com)
Workshop
May 2, 16 and 23 Urban beekeeping workshops, St Ermin’s Hotel, Caxton Street, London SW1. Start beekeeping on your terrace, roof or allotment. Booking essential, £25 (www.sterminshotel.co.uk; 020–7222 7888)
Book now
May 14–15 Botanical-painting course, Longueville House, Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland. Two-day residential flower-painting course with leading Irish exponent Patricia Jorgensen. No watercolour experience necessary. €549 (£407) per person sharing a double room, full board (00 353 22 47 156; www.longuevillehouse.ie)
