Valentines Mansion & Gardens

Decipher old hand-writing and learn the art of writing in style using a feather pen and ink.

Decorate and make a paper tea cup and oriental-style fan.

Find out how homes were lit up in the past, them decorate your own candle and candle-holder using historical designs.

Make a farmyard mask, learn about different farm animals, and listen to stories and songs.

Join the treasure trail or use binoculars, to find flying creatures, both indoors and outdoors, and make your own creature.

Find out about the journeys ceramics took from China and decorate and make a paper tea cup and oriental fan.

Horticulturist and park manager Simon Litt points out the highlights of the gardens, including the new dry garden.

Join a Valentines Mansion guide to learn about the history of the house.

Create your own stories and newspapers drawing upon the mansion's history and the characters that lived there.

Discover how previous owners of the mansion would pamper themselves and have a go at making your own lotions and soaps to take home.

Discover the art of origami, make your own animal to take home and take part in an origami hunt to find the pieces who escaped the Bird room.

Make your own mosaic to take home and find out more about the ancient art form.

Journey back to when the mansion was used as a hospital. Discover remedies and medicines that would have been used and have a go at making your own diagnosis.

Gain access to the top floor of Valentines Mansion, which is normally closed, to visit the artists' studios there and see some of the artists' work, from glass to jewellery to paintings.

A calm, bright and entertaining way to spend the afternoon, surrounded by tempting afternoon tea, accompanied by gentle music.

The local and studio artist Jason Rose hosts this workshop, in which the surroundings of the mansion and gardens are used to look at Impressionist painting techniques. Suitable for beginners and advanced painters.

Use decorated shadow silhouettes to create a framed portrait.

Bring along your cuddly toys for this mid-morning session of rhymes and stories with Nick Sparks.

Created a glass bird wonder dome, similar to those made popular during Victorian times.

Have a look at a typical Victorian menu, then create your own menu card, keeping it healthy. Or create a special party menu.

A watercolour and drawing workshop with the artist and teacher Katherine Poluck, offering individual tuition and demonstrations, to help capture the gardens and park. Some materials are provided, but you may wish to bring your own sketching stool.

Learn about the stained-glass windows and make your own to take home.