GET green-fingered inspiration this summer as an Essex horticultural centre launches a series of children-friendly events to inspire little gardeners – and treat their parents.
The Great Garden Adventure summer scheme at Hyde Hall – perfect with sunny weather finally here – sees children enjoy a range of free activities, from den building to bug hunting, paper making, colouring and painting.
You can pop in at any time and get lost in a maze or try your hand at sowing and growing, burn up some energy on the race track and play with a selection of garden games, or aim for one of the scheduled events being held over the next few weeks.
Although it’s only down the road in travelling terms, you can take a trip around the world when you get there by picking up a plant hunters passport and going on a journey around the garden, learning all about the different continents of the world. Specific events are taking place every week over the summer.

The scheme is sponsored by Witan Investment Trust, which has worked for 13 years with the Royal Horticultural Society on its projects. All events take place at the RHS Garden Hyde Hall, in Creephedge Lane, Rettendon, Chelmsford.

WHAT IS ON AND WHERE:

August 1 and 2: Ugly bug hats and batik bugs, falconry, storytelling and bug hunting.
August 8 and 9: Flower crowns, giant flowers, dream catchers, nature’s pictures and bug hunting.
August 15 and 16: Orienteering, journey chains, garden postcards, storytelling and bug hunting.
August 22 and 23: Paper making, colouring and painting, koala trail and bug hunting.
August 29 and 30: Paper pots, bird feeders, bug hotels and bug hunting.
Visit www.rhs.org.uk/hydehall