Polar Bear Willow Weaving

Event Details

Friday 28 November 
Saturday 29 November

9.30am to 4pm | £220 per person

Includes all materials, refreshments and access to the house and garden.

In this fully guided one-day workshop, you’ll create your very own characterful polar bear sculpture using white willow - perfect for adding charm to your home or garden this Christmas season.

The day will begin with an introductory talk by Emma, who will share insights into her creative practice and experience as an internationally recognised willow artist. You’ll then create your willow sculpture around a steel frame, with expert guidance every step of the way.

All tools, PPE and materials are provided.

The workshop will take place outdoors, with hot drinks provided throughout the day. We advise wearing very warm clothing, including a hat and thick socks.

Lunch and refreshments

Tea, coffee and a farm shop mince pie are included in the workshop.

One hour is set aside for lunch; you’re welcome to bring a pack lunch, visit the on-site café or choose from a wide range of catering outlets at the Christmas markets.

Accessibility

Willow can be a physically demanding material to work with and manual dexterity is required. Please email education@chatsworth.org if you have any access requirements or require a carer to accompany you.

Please contact us if you require blue badge parking closer to the venue.

The Stickyard is a step-free, accessible venue with accessible toilets. 

Meeting point and time

Please meet 10 minutes before the workshop start time at The Stickyard. The route up to the Stickyard is on an incline and can be rough underfoot.  Allow at least 10 minutes to reach the venue from the main house car park*. 

What is included?

Tickets include complimentary parking for one vehicle, along with entry to Chatsworth House and Garden on the day of your workshop. 

The workshops take place during the Christmas markets, to which entry is free. 

You may enter the house and garden at any time; a booked time slot is not required. Please check house and garden opening times and last entry times to ensure you leave enough time for your visit.

On arrival at Chatsworth, please show your booking QR code at the car park entrance, and at the house and garden entrances. Please allow plenty of time for your visit and read the important information below.

Important Information

Christmas is the busiest time of the year at Chatsworth, and our parking arrangements will be different to those you are used to.

*On arrival, you may be directed to park on the trackway in the parkland where our tractor and trailer shuttle bus can take you to and from the main house car park. Please, therefore, leave plenty of time to travel to your destination, dress appropriately for the weather, and have access to a torch.

As this workshop includes tickets to Christmas at Chatsworth, please ensure you also read the Important Information on this event page.

VIEW EVENT

About Emma Stothard

Acclaimed artist Emma has created beautiful sculptures across the country, including commissions for the Royal Gardens at Highgrove, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Great Yorkshire Show. Emma has most recently created a series of striking new sculptures for the Whitby Sculpture Trail.

“I just love willow,” says Emma of the material she started her career with. “It’s a completely natural product, it’s very versatile, it has a wonderful smell, and a real energy. Working with it is almost like drawing in wood – each willow withy tapers naturally, as a line in pencil does. It has an ethereal quality, yet still gives solid shape, form and structure.

“The finished product needs a little more care than the metal versions, depending on the environment it’s in, but look after it, and it’ll last beautifully for years.”

For more information about Emma, visit her website.

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