Fact sheet, Autumn Term 2026 City Gardens & Greenhouses
When
Tuesdays. 15 September to 17 November. 10am to 5pm
Where
Various locations, see below.
Who
Danny Markey & Melissa Scott-Miller
About
London's many parks and public gardens effectively make up the world's largest urban forest, with over eight million trees. None are too small to be inspiring.
Throughout this course students will immerse themselves in the centre of our subject, looking at exquisite plants in Victorian Greenhouses in Kew Gardens, at views from atop Primrose Hill, at lakes and gardens in Regent’s Park and smaller inner-city parks. Students will discover how drawing outside heightens their senses, sharpens their focus, and resets their approach to capturing a sense of place.
As the parks change season, borders become more exposed, trees are stripped from their outfits, branches are revealed, and maintained gardens start to lose shape. The marks we use should reflect this change in energy. Looking closely at the rhythms, shapes, and characters of a composed parkland where structure and design creates order, as well as the wild areas where nature arranges itself, students will challenge their approach to drawing each week.
In wet weather there will be access to conservatories, greenhouses and indoor gardens.
Location & timetable
Occasionally locations/meeting points may need to change so please check your emails the night before classes are due to take place and bring your mobile phone with you on the day so that the administrator can contact you if need be. It is also very important that you arrive punctually (in time for the class to begin at 10am) for each class as the class will usually move away from the meeting point quite quickly at the beginning of the day.
Week 1 — 15 September
Where: Regent's Park - inner circle and St John's Lodge
Please meet at Regents Bar and Kitchen, The Regent's Park, Inner Circle, London NW1 4NU.
When: 10am
Nearest stations: Regent's Park and Baker Street
Week 2 — 22 September
Where: Paddington Street Gardens
Please meet by the wooden conservatory in the center, near the 'Armillary sphere' sculpture.
When: 10am
Nearest stations: Great Portland Street and Baker Street
Week 3 — 29 September
Where: English Garden, Battersea Park
When: 10am
Nearest station: Battersea Power Station
Week 4 — 6 October
Where: Camley Street Nature Reserve, Kings Cross.
Please meet at the entrance to the reserve. We will draw there, in nearby St Pancras old churchyard and around the nearby canal and locks.
When: 10am
Nearest station: Kings Cross
Week 5 — 13 October
Where: Crossrail Roof Garden and Jubilee Park, Canary Wharf.
Please meet outside the exit of Canary Wharf tube station (exit by jubilee park).
When: 10am
Nearest station: Canary Wharf
Week 6 — 20 October
Where: Holland Park.
Please meet outside the cafe in the park.
When: 10am
Nearest station: Holland Park
Week 7 — 27 October
Where: The Garden Museum and Archbishops Park.
Please meet at the entrance of the Garden Museum.
When: 10am
Nearest station: Vauxhall
Week 8 — 3 November
Where: Phoenix Gardens and Soho Square.
Please meet at the entrance to Phoenix Gardens.
When: 10am
Nearest stations: Tottenham Court Road and Leicester Square
Week 9 — 10 November
Where: Kew Gardens
Please meet at Kew Gardens outside the Victoria Gate, TW9 3AB
When: 10am
Nearest station: Kew Gardens
Week 10 — 17 November
Where: Rembrandt Gardens, Maida Vale.
Please meet inside the gardens.
When: 10am
Materials
Please ensure you only bring materials you will need and are able to carry comfortably. If you are working out and about, some days can involve a lot of walking so please dress appropriately bringing waterproofs and an umbrella or sun cream depending on the weather and wear comfortable shoes. Please carry a bottle of water. Drawing board and clips, paper and/or sketchbooks (A3 size recommended), pencils and erasers, conté, brush pen, ink, watercolour and pastel.
These are suggestions, please bring materials that you would like to try. We also strongly recommend that you bring a stool. You can buy collapsible ones in art shops, fish tackle shops or online for around £10.
What to expect
There will be a one-hour lunch break generally between 1-2pm each day and regular breaks throughout the day.
Contact
If you are unable to attend a class or know that you will be delayed, please email admin@royaldrawingschool.org or call 020 7613 8568 (option 1) in as far advance as possible.