Matthew Rice Botanical Drawing Workshop with Garden Tour (One-Day)

WITH MATTHEW RICE

Thursday 3rd September 2026

£250.00

Led by illustrator and designer Matthew Rice, known for his work on Emma Bridgewater ceramics, this one-day course offers a wonderful opportunity to unleash your artistic flair. Focusing on the botanicals at Highgrove, you will learn the basics of drawing and applying colour using watercolours, allowing you to create your own botanical watercolour masterpiece.

The day includes a two-hour guided tour of the gardens at Highgrove, where you’ll have the chance to paint amidst the beautiful surroundings. Additionally, you’ll enjoy a Champagne Afternoon Tea and a discussion with Matthew Rice. This course is the perfect chance to engage with the many botanicals at Highgrove and bring them to life through your watercolour art.

Please note, this is a one-day workshop

Book Now

All profits are donated to charity

Matthew Rice Botanical Drawing Workshop with Garden Tour (One-Day)

Matthew Rice Botanical Drawing Workshop with Garden Tour (One-Day)

£250.00

£250.00

Incorporate elements from the gardens into your artwork

In this workshop at Highgrove, Matthew will begin by covering the fundamentals of measuring, drawing, and applying watercolours. He will teach you how to observe and accurately translate your subject onto paper. You will work with both cut and live flowers.

This workshop also includes a two-hour guided walk around the royal gardens with Matthew and one of our expert garden guides. During this walk, you will have the opportunity to stop and paint what you see. This is a wonderful chance to immerse yourself in your surroundings, enjoying the sights, smells, and colours of the gardens while incorporating these elements into your artwork.

Matthew is a very encouraging teacher, making this course suitable for complete beginners.

Lunch, Conversation and Creativity at the Orchard Room Restaurant

After a warm welcome to Highgrove, enjoy a delicious two-course lunch in the beautiful Orchard Room Restaurant. This is a wonderful opportunity to relax, chat with Matthew about the morning’s activities, and perhaps purchase a signed copy of his latest book.

Later in the afternoon, unwind with your choice of tea or coffee accompanied by biscuits. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a glass of Prosecco as guests depart, a perfect finishing touch to a creative and inspiring day at Highgrove.

Programme

  • 9:30am - Guests arrive, and morning refreshments are served
  • 10:00am - Talk with Matthew Rice
  • 10:30am - Painting workshop
  • 12:30pm - Two-Course Lunch (Orchard Room Restaurant)
  • 1:30pm - Walk around the garden and painting
  • 3:30pm - Refreshments and opportunity to purchase Matthew's books
  • 4:30pm - Glass of fizz and guests depart

About Matthew

Matthew Rice is a writer, illustrator, designer, and painter who resides in Oxford and Norfolk. His passion for watercolours began at 14 when a friend of his godmother passed away, leaving him a ream of high-quality watercolour paper. He discovered the enchanting combination of watercolours and premium paper and has been painting ever since.

Matthew captures everything around him, from heritage apples to Venetian rooftops, documenting a lifetime of memories and moments in watercolour. This talent has led him to illustrate for magazines like Country Life and author and illustrate his own beloved books on architecture, another of his great passions. He has written and illustrated several books exploring unusual and often overlooked buildings, ranging from Stoke-on-Trent to Norfolk and Oxford to Rome. 

Additionally, Matthew is well-known for his 30-year partnership with Emma Bridgewater Ceramics. His watercolours, illustrations, and designs frequently appear on many of their products, including the sold-out King’s Rose 1/2 pint mug and the Highgrove ’Garden Monuments’ mug and tea towel.

Find out more Find out more

Important Information

  • This event is suitable for all levels, with no experience necessary.
  • Guests will not be admitted without a valid ticket.
  • Tickets cannot be exchanged, refunded, or replaced. The resale, alteration, or defacing of a ticket will render it void.
  • Guests are required to bring photographic identification (i.e., a passport, driving license, or bus pass). Alternatively, a bank card is acceptable.
  • Although guests will be dining from a set menu, if you do have any dietary requirements, food intolerances, or allergies, please inform the events team no later than 2 weeks prior to your visit via events@highgrovegardens.com.
  • Accessibility and visitor well-being are very important to us. Should you have any additional requirements, please contact customerservices@highgrovegardens.com.
  • Smoking (including vaping) is not permitted anywhere on the Estate.
  • The use of mobile phones and cameras is restricted to certain areas of the Estate, which will be explained to you on entry. Binoculars and other forms of recording equipment are not allowed for security reasons.
  • Please do not bring dogs onto the Estate (only assistance and guide dogs are permitted).
  • Satellite navigation should only be used as a general guide. Please visit www.highgrovegardens.com/pages/directions for directions. what3words: presuming.episodes.talent
Plan Your Visit Plan Your Visit