Courses & Workshops

Ross Menzies and Katrina Padmore enjoy teaching a range of workshops in various locations. The core of their teaching is a deeply personal connection with plants and the natural world. Ross is also a practising medical herbalist. Both Ross and Katrina are ordained as Interfaith ministers. Here are some dates for 2019. For more details or to book a place, please contact Ross Menzies on 07762 244381.

Sunday 12th May 2019, 10am – 4pm: 'Wild Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, nr. Corbridge, Northumberland with tutor Ross Menzies


A walk in the countryside will never be the same again! Discover how to identify, harvest and use many wild plants for medicine and food. Recognising plants and working with them to make medicines and foods is a wonderful journey, deepening your connection with the natural world. And being aware of the meaning of symptoms, and understanding which medicinal plants can be used to restore balance, is a life affirming adventure!

This day provides you with the skills, knowledge and confidence to start treating many minor ailments with plants and to use them to help you stay healthy and vital. Learn how to identify medicinal plants, when to harvest them, which parts to use and how to process them in order to make a range of medicines. We’ll make an ointment and a tincture to take home, as well as other preparations, and we’ll explore some delicious and nutritious foods which are found in the wild.


Ross has been a practicing herbalist for 20 years and has a clinic in Hexham and at his home in Hexhamshire and is an experienced teacher, passionate about sharing his knowledge with others. Hot drinks supplied, please bring a packed lunch, waterproofs or umbrella if it’s wet and a digital camera if you’d like to aid identification and/or a sketch pad.


Cost: £55 (£25 deposit to secure a place).

Monday 10th to Friday 21st June: 'Foundation in Plant Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland


An in-depth, hands-on and inspiring 10 day course, ideal for anyone who would like a thorough grounding in practical herbal medicine. Over the last 5 years students have given this course wonderful reviews.  Ross Menzies co-teaches this course with two other herbalists Jill Schnabel and Sarah Hughes. It is also run in close association with Nicolette Perry and Professor Elaine Perry at Dilston Physic Garden.


An in-depth, hands-on and inspiring 10 day course, ideal for anyone who would like a thorough grounding in practical herbal medicine. Over the last 5 years students have given this course wonderful reviews.  Ross Menzies co-teaches this course with two other herbalists Jill Schnabel and Sarah Hughes. It is also run in close association with Nicolette Perry and Professor Elaine Perry at Dilston Physic Garden.

Cost for 10 days: £750. Bookings through Dilston Physic Garden.
*Please note that there are a maximum of 15 participants per course, so do get in touch soon to reserve your place.
You can pay by 6 easy installments of £108/mth if booking 6 months in advance

Saturday 29th & Sunday 30th June 2019, 10am - 4pm: 'Plant Spirit Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland with tutors Ross Menzies and Katrina Padmore


Working with plants as living, evolved, complex beings and coming to them from a place of reverence, allows access to a deeper medicine. In this way plants can act as our allies and be profoundly helpful, not only for physical ailments, but also on our personal spiritual journey.


Develop your intuitive senses to work with plants for mind, body and spirit. During the weekend you’ll find your own plant ally to work with at this stage your in life’s journey and we’ll prepare an essence from your plant to take home and use. Using a range of practices, including dowsing and shamanic journeying, we’ll work with a number of our wonderful native medicinal plants and trees.


Please bring a packed lunch; hot drinks will be supplied. You may wish to bring a camera or sketch pad to help identification of plants after the course. Please bring waterproofs or an umbrella if it is wet, as the course will still run.


Cost: £110 (deposit £50 on booking).