Event category: Workshops

Forest Bathing is an ancient Japanese practice and a process of relaxation, whilst immersing yourself amongst the trees.

‘Forest Bathing is best described as a slow, relaxing sensory journey designed to calm the body and mind.  The physical and mental health benefits of Forest Bathing have been scientifically proven. Benefits include reduced stress levels, stronger immune system response, and a stabilised cortisol cycle.’   The Forest Bathing Institute.

On Friday 27 October 2023, the Forest Bathing Institute – sponsored by William Morris At Home – will lead a day of Forest Bathing walks in the grounds of the William Morris Gallery. The walks are a unique opportunity to experience the therapeutic benefits of Forest Bathing in the Gallery’s surroundings of Waltham Forest, the place where Morris spent his formative years.

There are two sessions during the day, one for families with children and a second for adults only. The event will also include face painting inspired by William Morris with professional face and body painters, NyGlorious Face Arts.

A Community Garden Open Day event for Radical Landscapes.

Taking inspiration from all things Morris, we will be making our own festive wreaths to spread cheer and good will!

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old.

All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time.

These are FREE sessions but donations in support of our public programme are always welcomed and can also be made via the Eventbrite booking page if you are attending either session.

Booking information:

Morning Session: 10am – 11.30am – Advance booking on Eventbrite. Please book tickets for all attendees.

Afternoon Session: 1pm – 2.30pm – Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

Image: Birds in a Holly Tree wallpaper (1890s), Edward Voysey

Stained glass was a popular feature in Victorian times, when it was often used to personalise people’s homes. At our November Creative Kids sessions we’ll be looking at the beautiful stained-glass creations in our collection before making colourful windows to decorate your home with.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old.

All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time.

These are FREE sessions but donations in support of our public programme are always welcomed and can also be made via the Eventbrite booking page if you are attending either session.

Booking information:

Morning Session: 10am – 11.30am – Advance booking on Eventbrite. Please book tickets for all attendees.

Afternoon Session: 1pm – 2.30pm – Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

Image: Detail from Minstrel with Cymbals (1880s), designed by William Morris

Music, instruments, and music makers are a recurring theme in the work of Frank Brangwyn. Explore the Brangwyn galleries and be inspired to make your own musical instrument.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old.

All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time.

These are FREE sessions but donations in support of our public programme are always welcomed and can also be made via the Eventbrite booking page if you are attending either session.

Booking information:

Morning Session: 10am – 11.30am – Advance booking on Eventbrite. Please book tickets for all attendees.

Afternoon Session: 1pm – 2.30pm – Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

Image: Group Listening to Musicians, Frank Brangwyn c.1902

Discover the stories behind some of William Morris’s best loved patterns at our Creative Kids sessions for September.

William Morris loved to tell stories and the animals in his designs often came from ancient myths, classic children’s tales or the things that happened in his everyday life. At these sessions we’ll be making animal masks inspired by Morris’s patterns, telling stories and singing songs.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old.

All sessions include a tour of the Gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time.

These are FREE sessions but donations in support of our public programme are always welcomed and can also be made via the Eventbrite booking page if you are attending either session.

Booking information:

Morning Session: 10am – 11.30am – Advance booking on Eventbrite. Please book tickets for all attendees.

Afternoon Session: 1pm – 2.30pm – Drop in with limited capacity. Please arrive on time and sign up at the front desk.

Image: Detail from Bird & Peacock by William Morris © William Morris Gallery

At our July sessions we’ll be thinking about William Morris’s love of the outdoors. So we’ll take a tour around the William Morris Garden in a ‘spot the flower activity’ and make paper plate flowers inspired by nature.

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old. Two sessions available, booking is essential.

All sessions include a tour of the gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time. There are two 1hour and 30min sessions to choose from, at 10am and 1pm. Please register for one session only to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. If you are unable to attend please cancel your booking so that another child can take your place. In the event of cancellations, a number of walk-in slots will be available on the day. 

We have a space for buggy parking and our baby changing facilities have spare nappies, wipes, clothes and a few other items you might need.

There is a sensory area for under 2s or for those who need a calmer space, families are also welcome to use this space if they need to step away from the main session.

Please be aware that children must be accompanied by their adult at all times, and please ensure there is at least one guardian per 3 children attending.

Image: © William Morris Gallery, London Borough of Waltham Forest

In our June sessions we will be inspired by the Gallery’s current exhibition, Ashish: Fall in Love and Be More Tender. Make a cape and transform your everyday clothes!

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. The session is best suited for children 2 to 5 years old. Two sessions available, booking is essential.

All sessions include a tour of the gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time. There are two 1hour and 30min sessions to choose from, at 10am and 1pm. Please register for one session only to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. If you are unable to attend please cancel your booking so that another child can take your place. In the event of cancellations, a number of walk-in slots will be available on the day. 

We have a space for buggy parking and our baby changing facilities have spare nappies, wipes, clothes and a few other items you might need.

There is a sensory area for under 2s or for those who need a calmer space, families are also welcome to use this space if they need to step away from the main session.

Please be aware that children must be accompanied by their adult at all times, and please ensure there is at least one guardian per 3 children attending.

Image: © Chris Moore

In May, we’ll be doing a special craft activity inspired by May Morris’s extraordinary embroidery.

All sessions include a tour of the gallery, the craft activity, singing and snack time. Please register for one session only to ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate. If you are unable to attend please cancel your booking so that another child can take your place. In the event of cancellations, a number of walk-in slots will be available on the day. 

As this can be a messy session, please wear or bring old clothes. Aprons are available. We have a space for buggy parking and our baby changing facilities have spare nappies, wipes, clothes and a few other items you might need. There is a sensory area for under 2s or for those who need a calmer space, families are also welcome to use this space if they need to step away from the main session.

Please be aware that children must be accompanied by their adult at all times, and please ensure there is at least one guardian per 3 children attending.

Image: © William Morris Gallery, London Borough of Waltham Forest