At Strawberry Hill House & Garden, we believe in the power of nature, creativity, and connection to lift the spirits and improve wellbeing. Our Feel-Good Garden programme offers monthly workshops designed especially for older people — with a warm welcome for those living with dementia and their carers.
Each month, the gardens and community spaces at Strawberry Hill come alive with friendly faces, gentle activities, and plenty of tea and cake. In the mornings, we open the gates to anyone over 65 who wants to get outside, enjoy the garden, and work with our talented community artists. In the afternoons, we focus on those living with dementia, offering a mix of gardening, art, music, and other creative pursuits that stimulate the senses and spark joyful memories.
The photos above give a glimpse into what’s on offer — from arranging freshly picked flowers, making seasonal wreaths, and creating handmade cards to painting botanical watercolours, printing with leaves, and crafting cyanotype prints. Sessions are always relaxed and sociable, with time to chat, share stories, and work at your own pace.
Alongside the workshops, visitors can explore our Sensory Trail — a gentle, accessible route through the gardens designed to engage sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste.
The trail is fully mapped, with an accessible route for those who prefer to avoid the woodland walk, and there are benches along the way for resting and soaking up the atmosphere. It’s a wonderful companion to the Feel-Good Garden sessions — offering moments of calm, sensory stimulation, and connection to the natural world. You can download the trail map here.
Whether you’re planting seeds, crafting a card, enjoying the scent of rosemary, or simply watching the sunlight dance on the leaves, the Feel-Good Garden and Sensory Trail are here to offer comfort, creativity, and community in the heart of Strawberry Hill.
To receive a programme of workshops please email claire.leighton@strawberryhillhouse.org.uk
Supported by ENLIVEN – a dementia research project funded by UKRI.
