Event details
Saturday 19 July 2025
Sunday 20 July 2025
9.30am - 4pm | £200 per person, includes all materials, lunch and parking
International willow artist Emma Stothard returns to Chatsworth for a summer willow weaving masterclass.
Create your own characterful pig sculpture out of willow in this fully guided workshop, perfect for decorating your house or garden this summertime.
As part of your day, enjoy an introductory talk by Emma about her work and experience, followed by the opportunity to master the art of willow weaving.
At the end of the workshop, you'll have a willow pig to take home, and will be armed with the skills and experience to try your own self-guided projects.
All materials, plus refreshments and a locally sourced picnic lunch will be provided.
Venue and Meeting Point
The workshop will take at the Chatsworth Stickyard, our outdoor learning centre. The Stickyard is located in Stand Wood, through the gate next to the Farmyard and Adventure Playground.
Please arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of the session for a prompt start at 9.30am.
Important Information
This session will take place outdoors. Refreshments will be provided throughout the day but we advise dressing for the weather.
All tools, PPE and materials are provided.
Willow can be a physically demanding material to work with so please let us know if you have any access requirements and we will speak to you about your needs.
Accessibility
There is a fairly steep incline to reach the venue – this is along a short steep paved pathway.
There is an accessible toilet and seating available.
Please contact education@chatsworth.org if you have any questions about accessibility or require a carer’s ticket.
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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Stay with us
With so much to see, do, and explore in the Peak District, it's a shame to only come for the day, so why not stay a little longer? Our country cottages, shepherd's huts, hotels, and inns are the perfect base for exploring all that Chatsworth, Derbyshire, and the Peak District have to offer. Find out more.
