What’s on this September and October

Autumn brings a full programme of workshops, talks and drop-in sessions to the Gardeners’ House, from fungi foraging and flower shops to repair workshops and a Cornish bestiary. Here’s what’s coming up over the next two months.

As the gardens turn from late summer abundance to autumn’s earthier colours, our programme follows the season with them. September takes fruition as its theme, celebrating growth, harvest and the fruits of the year’s work, while October turns to fungi – the strange, beautiful things that emerge as the year draws in.

There’s something for every age and every level of confidence, from under-5s craft sessions to family drop-ins to quieter, focused workshops for adults, and no experience is ever required. Above all, it’s a chance to come together as a community – to learn something new, make something with your hands, and feel part of a place that belongs to Penzance and the people who use it.

September

Pop-Up Flower Shop: Fridays and Saturdays throughout September (4, 5, 11, 18, 19, 25, 26 September), 10am–2pm Beautiful bunches of local, sustainably grown flowers, with the chance to chat to Cristina about regenerative flower farming and its importance for Cornish wildlife.

Fruity Under 5’s: Wednesday 9 September, 10–11am. A fruit-themed craft session for under-5s and their parent or carer, run by Daisy. Free, but places are limited to 8, so booking is recommended.

Farmer’s Market: Saturday 12 September, 10am–2pm. A showcase of growers and producers from West Cornwall, including the Cornish Seaweed Company, Bosavern Farm, Growing Links, Herbs from Planted House and Karadow Mushrooms. Free entry — come and meet the people behind your food.

Tool Sharpening Workshop: Thursday 17 September, 1:30–3pm, in collaboration with Friends of Morrab Gardens. Volunteer Thomas leads this hands-on session on keeping a sharp edge on pruning tools; bring your own secateurs and gloves. Limited to five places and not suitable for children. Tickets from £1–£5, with proceeds supporting Friends of Morrab Gardens’ work and the bulb and seed fund at the Gardeners’ House.

Hello Birds! Theatre Show for the Under 5’s: Friday 18 September, 12:30–2:30pm. A sensory story show with puppets and key-word signing, following Bran the Gardener and their friend Tor as they meet the birds of the garden. Written and produced by Jasmine Cole with Connie Crosby, Hannah Platts and a team of theatre creatives, with key-word signing supported by Arthur’s Club. Tickets £3.

Collections Care Talk: How to Spot and Prevent Insect Pests: Thursday 24 September, 2:30–3:30pm. Collections Manager Emily talks through identifying and preventing the insect pests that damage historic buildings and collections — and how to protect your own home too. Tickets from £1–£5.

October

Make Your Own Fungi Three-Dimensional Collage: Saturday 3 October, 10am–1pm. The first of two October workshops with artist Vicky Harrison. Starting with a fungi tour of the gardens, the session moves into the lab to learn folding, texturing and crumpling techniques for creating fungi collage. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided. Tickets £5–£15.

Farmer’s Market: Saturday 10 October, 10am–2pm. A return of West Cornwall’s growers and producers, with a harvest theme. Free entry.

Tool Sharpening Workshop: Thursday 15 October, 1:30–3pm, in collaboration with Friends of Morrab Gardens.Bring your own secateurs and gloves, five places available, tickets from £1–£5.

National Repair Day – Repair Workshop: Saturday 17 October, 10am–2pm. A morning and afternoon of mending: darning knitted garments, patching rips and tears, and creative visible mending through stitch and embroidery, with tea and coffee available and a second-hand book sale of stitching and knitting titles. All materials provided, though you’re welcome to bring your own. Tickets are pay-as-you-feel, from free up to £5 depending on the activity.

Lab Activation: Mushroom Walk: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 October, drop in any time. A fungi hunt through Morrab Gardens to spot — and name — the season’s most unusual finds, with results added to the Big Mushroom Map in the lab. Free, with tea, coffee and squash available by donation.

Autumn Still Life: Friday 23 October, 10am–4pm, drop in. Use a range of media and techniques to create your own artwork inspired by an autumn still life installation from Morrab Gardens and beyond. Free.

Can’t Draw Club: Family Friendly Autumn Still Life: Saturday 24 October, 10am–2pm, drop in. The same still life installation, reimagined for anyone including families who think they “can’t draw.” Art is for everyone, so come along and enjoy! Free.

A Cornish Bestiary: Author Talk and Book Signing with Luke Thompson: Saturday 24 October, 2–4pm. Writer, publisher and academic Luke Thompson discusses his new book on the curious creatures of Cornish folklore, from the Owlman of Mawnan Smith to Camborne’s Frog King — with a book signing to follow.

Mushroom Jelly Printing Workshop: Wednesday 28 October, 1–3pm. Back by popular demand: make prints of mushrooms, or with real mushrooms, on sheets of textured jelly, and turn the results into fungi creatures or mushroom-headed characters. Pay-what-you-can, from free up to £5.

Creating Embroidered Fungi with Vicky Harrison: Saturday 31 October, 10am–1pm. The second of the month’s two workshops with Vicky Harrison, creator of the West Penwith Embroidered Bees project. An embroidery and stitching workshop focused on fungi, mushrooms and toadstools, with the option to head out into the gardens to reference living fungi. Tea, coffee and biscuits provided.

However you like to spend your time here, we hope you’ll find something in this programme that draws you in — whether that’s the pull of the changing seasons, the chance to learn from people who know their craft, or simply the company of others enjoying the gardens with you. The Gardeners’ House is here for everyone in West Cornwall, and we’d love to see you this autumn.

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Image from Elliott White