Easton Walled Gardens near Grantham is thrilled to announce its upcoming Art Month this September. Set against the backdrop of the historic landscape on the estate, originally founded 465 years ago in 1561, the art events curated by Monty Cholmeley are inspired by late-summer colour in the gardens. The series of art workshops and events caters to all abilities, featuring hands-on and creative experiences.
A Rare Opportunity to See ‘Welcome to the Notswolds’ As the centrepiece of this year’s Art Month, Easton is honoured to display the original drawing of Adam Dant’s ‘Welcome to the Notswolds’ for the entire duration of September. Commissioned to give form to England’s overlooked heartland, this new map is part cartography, part social history, and part affectionate satire. It charts the towns, trades, landscapes, and peculiarities that give the ‘Notswolds’ region its identity.
How to enjoy:
- Stay at Easton in one of the historic cottages on site, or rent Meadow Retreat for a day to immerse yourself in the landscape as you paint
- Attend an art workshop
- Paint and gain inspiration from the gardens in September
- View a rare map of the Notswolds.
This year Easton Walled Gardens celebrates 25 years since the renovation was started by Garden Director Ursula Cholmeley.
September offers a colourful backdrop for Art Month and visitors and participating artists will find endless inspiration in the Walled Garden’s mixed borders, where dramatic dahlias – such as the striking ‘Honka Red’ and ‘Tutu’ – take centre stage alongside airy cosmos, zinnias, and vibrant salvias. Beyond the borders, the historic orchards offer a gentle woodland calm as local apple varieties, quince, and sweet greengages begin to ripen. The White Garden, views across to the Gatehouse, the bothies in the Rose Meadow, the Cottage Garden and Pickery will provide living inspiration for artists on site.
Monty Cholmeley says: “The Estate’s programme of art activities links the sensory, chronological story of the gardens back to Griffin of Easton, our art shop in the courtyard at Easton Walled Gardens. The brilliant floral display in The Pickery serve as direct inspiration, encouraging visitors to take the ‘painterly’ colours of the garden and explore them through the art materials offered in the courtyard.”
Inspiring Workshops and Creative Weekends Throughout September, visitors of all skill levels are invited to immerse themselves in a series of artistic events led by experts. The current Art Month 2026 schedule includes:
- 6th September: Botanical Illustration Workshop
- 9th September: Beginner Watercolour Workshop
- 10th September: Drawing Workshop
- 16th September: Plein Air Painting Day
- 19th–20th September: Wallace Seymour Weekend – an exclusive, hands-on weekend learning about raw pigments and how Wallace Seymour produces their bespoke paints.
- 26th September: Block Printing Workshop
Creativity in the courtyard The heart of these activities is Griffin of Easton, an art store where high-end stationery and fine art materials, carefully curated by Monty Cholmeley from the UK and around the world, can be purchased onsite.
Monty says of Art Month: “It’s fantastic that the Estate’s broader arts programming is continuing to grow thanks to popular demand. We are particularly looking forward to the Wallace Seymour weekend (19-20 September) where the team from possibly the best paint producers in the country will give a hands-on exclusive workshop showcasing how they create their bespoke paints.”
Workshop highlight: A hands-on Weekend with Wallace Seymour (19–20 Sept) Easton Walled Gardens will host an exclusive, interactive weekend with renowned Yorkshire paint makers Rebecca Wallace and Pip Seymour. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to test a complete range of artisan watercolours, gouache, oils, acrylics, inks, and drawing materials on various surfaces. Throughout the event, the duo will provide expert technical guidance, demonstrate colour mixing, and show artists how to work with dry pigments.
For more information on Art Month, workshop bookings, and updates on the expanding event schedule www.visiteaston.co.uk
A Rare Opportunity to See ‘Welcome to the Notswolds’ As the centrepiece of this year’s Art Month, Easton is honoured to display the original drawing of Adam Dant’s ‘Welcome to the Notswolds’ for the entire duration of September.
Widely regarded as one of Britain’s leading contemporary draughtsmen and praised for his richly detailed, Hogarthian graphic style, Dant’s work sits in major international collections including Tate Britain, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and MoMA New York. Commissioned to give form to England’s overlooked heartland, this new map is part cartography, part social history, and part affectionate satire. It charts the towns, trades, landscapes, and peculiarities that give the ‘Notswolds’ region its identity. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to study Dant’s densely worked composition up close, exploring the local stories, fragments of folklore, and historic landmarks that shape the everyday in Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.
To learn more about Adam Dant and the creation of ‘Welcome to the Notswolds’, please visit: www.notswolds.com/store/p/welcome-to-the-notswolds-adam-dant.
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