Cotesbach Christmas Grotto - Saturday 7th December: 1-4pm, Tuesday 10th December: 4-6pm, Saturday 14th December: 10-2.30pm

Kick off the Christmas season and meet Father Christmas by the fire in a traditional grotto, in the Georgian Schoolhouse.

Decorate and hang a Christmas decoration, share your Christmas wishes with Father Christmas and take your festive family pictures around a real roaring fire!

Reflect on how the festive season has been celebrated over the centuries through snippets of cards, recipes and traditions from our archive.

All children will receive a pre loved book and treat as a Christmas gift!

Age 2-11

A snow scene: Winter Watercolour Workshop - Saturday 14th December, 3-5pm

Join professional storyteller Maria Credali for an art workshop with a difference!

Come along and learn how to paint a beautiful snow scene, using water colours to create depth and atmosphere in your picture.

As you paint, Maria will share all sorts of fascinating Christmas traditions and folklore from around the world, and explore the symbolism in many of our Yuletide traditions, including the yule log and the Christmas tree.

All materials and full tuition is included in this fun and festive workshop.

Once upon a Christmas: Traditional festive storytelling for adults - Saturday 14th December, 6.30-8pm

An enjoyable and relaxing evening of storytelling in the beautiful Georgian Schoolhouse, to get you in the Christmas spirit!

Join professional storyteller Maria Credali for a nostalgic walk down a snowy memory lane as she shares a selection of Christmas themed stories from around the world along with memories from her own childhood Christmases long ago.

Expect heart warming tales, traditional ghost stories, riddles and laughter.

Doors & Bar open at 18.00. There will be a selection of alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages available to purchase on the evening (cash & card payments accepted).

Orchard Wassail - Saturday 25th January, 5-7pm

Join us for the ancient tradition of wassailing this winter, to ward off evil spirits and bless the trees in the hope of a good harvest later in the year! Dress up warm and experience a night of folklore stories and songs by candlelight in the gardens and orchard of Cotesbach Hall.

Bring along a drum or tambourine, pots pans and spoons, or anything that makes a noise as we attempt to scare off those pesky evil spirits. We will be lead in song by the Wassail King and Queen (AKA the renowned Hatstand Band) who will lead traditional songs in a good old group singalong. It's all good fun and you will certainly feel like your New Year has started with a bang!

We will be running a limited bar selling both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and mulled beverages.

This event is outdoors on uneven ground, and it will be dark so is unfortunately not suitable for buggies or wheelchairs. Please wear sturdy footwear or wellies!

Sourdough making workshop - Saturday 1st March, 1-4pm

Ever dreamed of making your own sourdough loaves at home? In this 3 hour session we will go through all the techniques & knowledge you will need. You will also come away with your own pot of starter, so you can begin baking sourdough straight away. Your tutor for the afternoon is Paul from Rugby Real Bread who's been teaching & enthusing about bread for over 10 years!

• No prior experience necessary

• Under 12's must be accompanied by an adult.

• Please let us know of any diets/allergies

• Bring a tin or banneton & take home a loaf to bake at home

We will have a coffee/tea break midway through the class, but please bring a snack and other drinks you may need.

Wild food Foraging and Campfire Cooking - Saturday 5th April, 10-3pm

Join forager John as he guides you through hedgerows and meadows, in search of nature's free food. Learn how to identify edible plants (and what to avoid) and find out what's available seasonally.

After the foraging walk you will bring back your harvest and cook up a feast on an open fire.

Please wear sturdy footwear and dress for the weather. Suitable for all ages but under 16s must be supervised by an adult at all times.

*All courses are subject to a minimum number of participants to go ahead. Tickets would be refunded in the event that minimum numbers are not met.*