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 currently training as Interfaith ministers. Here are some dates for 2018. For more details or to book a place, please contact Ross Menzies on 07762 244381.

Friday 4th May – Sunday 6th May 2018

Friday 6th July – Sunday 8th July 2018

Saturday 15th –  Sunday 16th September 2018

Saturday 3rd – Sunday 4th November 2018


'Foundation in Plant Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland


An in-depth, hands-on and inspiring 10 day course, run over 4 weekends and 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 4 weekends: £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 26th & Sunday 27th May 2018, 10am - 4pm: 'Plant Spirit Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, Corbridge, Northumberland


Plants have always been revered for their healing properties. In many cultures today (and historically in our own) herbal medicine practitioners have very close relationships with their healing plants and describe having a unique communication with them as part of the healing process.


This course helps you develop the skills needed to sense the more subtle qualities of plants and to work with plants using these subtle energies to promote healing – physical, emotional and spiritual. We believe and have found that working with plants as living evolved and complex beings, coming to them from a place of deep respect and reverence, allows a deeper healing to occur. Working with plants as allies can be profoundly helpful, not only for physical ailments but also on our personal journey.


During the day we will find our own plant ally to work with us at this unique stage of our life’s journey and will prepare an essence from our plant to take home. We will also use shamanic journeying to meet our plant and to begin the process of working with it.


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: £60, with a deposit of £25 being paid at the time of booking.


Wednesday 16th May 2018, 10am – 4pm: 'Wild Medicine' at Dilston Physic Garden, nr. Corbridge, Northumberland


Walking in nature and gathering medicines and foods is something our ancestors did not only for survival but also as a means of feeling and being connected to the natural world. There is no simpler and more powerful way to feel a sense of connection and belonging and it is just as powerful for us today. 

This is a day of learning how to identify local ‘weeds’ and opening to their many healing and nourishing properties. Experienced teacher and medical herbalist Ross Menzies takes you on a journey into the wild and bringing back many wonderful foods and medicines, for mind body and soul.  This day gives you the skills and confidence to identify herbs, gather them in a careful and respectful way and how to use or store them. We will make a whole range of wonderful remedies including tinctures, ointment, poultice decoction and infusion, to treat many minor ailments as well as discovering how we can add wild food to our diet helping us to nourish ourselves more deeply.     

Please bring your own lunch (hot drinks will be supplied) and waterproofs or an umbrella if it’s wet as the course will still run. 

Cost: £55, with a deposit of £20 to be paid at time of booking


Sat 6 October, 10am - 4pm: 'Nature as companion, healer and teacher'

at Minsteracres Peace Garden, nr. Consett, County Durham   


Indigenous cultures and mystics of all traditions agree that consciously deepening our connection with nature can inspire and inform our spiritual path. Making use of the tranquility of the Peace Garden and beautiful Sanctuary building, we will open ourselves to the full potential of working with nature as an ally in facing life challenges and discerning guidance.

Tools to aid our enquiry will include poetry, meditation, reflective writing, group exploration and simply bringing mindful awareness to being in nature.

Cost: £50, to include seasonal, home-cooked lunch provided by us. £20 deposit to be paid at time of booking.