Connaught Village celebrate summer with inaugural Garden Festival this Saturday

Saturday 11^th June sees the arrival of the first ever Connaught Village Garden Festival, a day long-celebration with free craft workshops, alfresco feasting, pony grooming, plant sales, outdoor art installations, exclusive in-store promotions and more. The event coincides with the National Garden Scheme’s (NGS) annual charity event where members of the public are able to enter a number of private residential gardens for a small donation of £6.

Yoga class

For the early birds, there is a complementary open-air vinyasa flow Yoga Class taking place in one of the tranquil and peaceful gardens, Devonport, at 10.30am. The class promises to be a truly nourishing start to the day – sun salutations (and manifestation!) actively encouraged.

Pony grooming

In Bathurst Mews, Pony Grooming is the order of the day. One of the last standing mews with horses in Central London, Hyde Park Stables will set up a family friendly pony grooming station where some very charming horses will be for visitors to brush, braid and groom. For the equestrian-inclined, visitors can even book ahead to arrange an afternoon’s canter around Hyde Park.

Drawing classes and craft workshops

On the neighbouring Bathurst Street, the legendary Brixton Life Drawing duo will be taking over with a series of free Botanical Life Drawing classes. Each class invites visitors to flex their sketching muscles while models draped in seasonal blooms, palms and miscellaneous foliage pose for this one of a kind activity. Classes will run at 12:30, 14:00, 15:30 and 17:00.

For the artists amongst us, there is a special opportunity to try a hand at a number of free botanical themed craft workshops taking place in Titchbourne Row. The lineup includes:

• Terracotta Pot Painting: a drop-in class suitable for all ages. Simply take a seat, grab a paint brush and let loose on your terracotta pot. Example designs will be on hand for those looking for inspiration.

• Macrame Weaving – a beginner friendly, therapeutic workshop where you’ll learn the basic knots and techniques needed to make your own beautiful mini macrame plant pot holder. The ideal pair to your freshly painted terracotta pot!

• Dried Flower Pressing: Working with nature as your canvas, flower pressing, located on Titchborne Row is a relaxing way to flex your patience whilst engaging all of the senses

• Workshops take place at: 12.30 – 1.30, 2.30 – 3.30 and 4.30 – 5.30pm

• Terrarium Making – Feel your way through gravel, compost, charcoal, and moss in this build your own
  workshop taking place throughout the day at 12.30 – 1.30, 2.30 – 3.30 and 4.30 – 5.30pm

   

Walks and talks

Tony Heywood and Alison Condie, the Hyde Park Estate Gardeners and award-winning artists in their own right will host a talk commencing in Coniston Gardens and lead the guests to their incredible jewelled floating garden sculptures at the Water Gardens, a magical experience to see, juxtaposed with the modernist architecture. They will give a talk about sculptures and garden design. A historic tour will be led by blue badge guide Rachel Kolsky she will be sharing the history, prominent people of the village, Georgian and 60’s architecture and how this magical part of London has evolved.

Summer feasting

Porchester Place will become traffic free for the day to become home of al fresco feasting with a number of picnic benches for visitors to gather. Connaught Cellars will have an outstanding stock of Champagne and rosé chilled and ready to be poured. A pop-up ice lolly cart by the legendary PoppingLicks will be on hand to keep everyone refreshed with iced refreshments laced with edible petals! Visitors are also invited to grab and go from the numerous cafes, restaurants and delis within the village and dine together amongst the festivities. Stationed at the top of Porchester Place will be a groovy Flower Power Beetle car converted into a free photobooth so all attendees can take home a keepsake.

Local business and garden

Local businesses in Connaught Village will join in the celebrations too. Fe Hair and Beauty will offer complimentary mini manicures with all hair appointments booked that day, a complimentary Face Glow treatment using their amazing LPG Endermologie machine and complimentary braids and mini blow dries while Lacquered and Stripped have created a floral themed nail design exclusive to the Garden Festival and will offer an Aperol or Elderflower Spritz upon manicure.

Boutique florist PM Flowers will offer 20% off all pre-made bouquets and neighbouring homeware store Circus 25 will be holding a vase sale, perfect to keep your flower arrangement in its most attractive display. Designer fashion store The Place London will be offering a floral themed gift with all purchases on the day. For the cheese lovers, Buchanans will sell an “ice cream cornetto-esque” treat, which will be a mini waffle cone filled with creamy gorgonzola and topped with delicious truffle honey. Chocolate lovers should head to bean-to-bar chocolate emporium London Chocolate, will be offering 10% off all products including their exclusive line of chocolate bars adorned in edible flowers and iced chocolate drinks. And finally, luxury holiday specialists Purple Ski will be offering an incredible 20% discount on all villa holidays for summer 2022 and a 10% discount on all chalets and summer breaks for winter 2022/23 – to redeem this one-off offer visitors can simply drop by their head office on Connaught Street, and enjoy a glass of their latest vintage while they’re at it. More promotions and in-store activations to be announced.

The editorial unit

All events are free to attend, to find out more about how to register please visit the Connaught Village website.

The private residential gardens in the village, such as Coniston, Davenport, The Water Gardens and the Quadrangle, will be open to the public for one day only. The National Garden Scheme is a ticketed event, and all the money raised from the entry to the gardens will be donated to charity.