‘SKETCHING THE Romance of the ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDe’
2026
MONDAY JUly 13th to Friday July 17th
5 DAYS
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“A Rainy Day Sketch” in the style of Shakespeare, to bring you a smile!
O fie! The rain doth pour anon,
My ink doth run, my brush is gone,
Yet still I grin, and mark each blot,
For happy strokes are ne’er for naught.
HIGHLIGHTS
•Sketching with Erin Hill. Small group 5 Day Tour
•Staying at Wotton Country Estate Hotel in Dorking Surrey, dated from 17th century.
(Don’t forget to make your own booking for the hotel)
•Exploring serene 13 acres of historical English gardens with Italian influence
•Sketching in the romantic village of Shere in the Tillingbourne Valley
•Historic timber cottages, Slate roofs and rose gardens
•12th century church of St James
•Stone bridges and water reflections - and of course, ducks.
•Quaint and quirky boutiques and Tea Rooms - think scones and clotted cream
•The old White Horse Inn where we can have a pub lunch
•Picnic by the river in a countryside village
•Old woodland, meadows and historic estates
•Romantic England at every turn
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Monday July 13th to Friday July 17th
(Can be booked to follow the Ireland Tour)
Step into the pages of an English storybook next July as we explore the historic charm of Surrey and the postcard-perfect villages of Wotton, Shere and Gomshall, nestled in Surrey’s rolling countryside.
History from at least the 16th century and earlier around every corner.
*
COSTS
5 Days £995pp
Single Days - £210
Deposit on 5Days - £295
(non refundable but can be used on another of my tours)
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Mornings: 10.00am - 1.00pm
Sketch lunch: 1.00 -2.00pm
Afternoons: 2.00pm - 3.00pm
Erin Hill and Milton Hill are your organisers for these small personal Workshops and Tours.
It means we can more easily tailor our week to the things you’d most like to do.
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If you’d like to join us, here are your choices.
If you live within traveling distance, simply meet us each day
at Wotton House Estate Hotel, Pembroke, in Surrey.
OR
If coming from elsewhere, book your accommodation with Wotton House - where Milton and I will be staying - or elsewhere if you find something you like - and enjoy staying in one glorious place for the week. We’ll start here each day.
WHATS INCLUDED:
Daily plein-air sketch tutoring and guidance for all levels with Erin - approx 4 hrs.
Meet after breakfast at Wotton House Hotel each morning.
One picnic in the woods.
Huge choice of daily sketch subjects, plus hints and tips.
Positive feedback and help with your sketching progress.
Organising and guidance each day.
Transport to and from locations.
History information and background with Milton.
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WHATS NOT INCLUDED:
Flights or transport to and from our Hotel in Wotton, Dorking, Surrey.
Accommodation at Wotton House based in the English countryside,
(a charming country estate in Surrey)
Other accommodation you may choose.
Meals drinks or snacks.
Sketch Kit.
Personal spending.
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WHO ARE MY SKETCHING TOURS FOR:
Anybody with an adventurous spirit.
Those who’d love to learn travel sketching, from real subjects you see around you, learning many of my fast and loose techniques.
Or maybe you’d like to simplify your sketching skills and become much more free.
My mission is to teach people who don’t believe they could possibly sketch or draw,
and that by following my step by step approach, you will soon be sketching, and in your own style.
No photos required!
No experience required, just a desire to sketch your journey.
*
WHAT YOU'LL NEED
*Sketch Kit - Available UK, USA and France. It’s the colours that are important.
* Bring a folding stool if you like, a hat, a raincoat, sunglasses, water to drink, money for incidentals, such as coffee, drinks, lunch, dinner. And all those gorgeous gifts you’ll find locally.
* Come with a big happy smile and willingness to learn.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and confirm on the Booking Form
Our Itinerary for the week. Depending on the weather of course.
• Day 1 – Monday July 13th
Garden Sketch Warm-up at Wotton House
Morning: Starting at 10.00am
Welcome session: Introduction to sketching week, materials overview, and warm-up exercises
Lunch at the hotel - 12.30pm
purchase something from the cafe and we’ll sit outside under the umbrellas.
Afternoon: 1.15 or thereabouts - till 3.00pm
Explore and sketch the formal Italian gardens, ornamental bridges, and 17th-century architecture of Wotton House.
Group critique and feedback session in the lounge area.
Dinner for those who’d like to join us.
Focus: Perspective, foliage, fountains, and garden symmetry
• Day 2 – Tuesday July 14th
Village Sketching in Shere
Morning: Starting at 10.00am
After breakfast, travel to Shere (10-minute drive)
Sketch walk through the village center: timber-framed cottages, the stream, stone bridges, and St James’ Church
Lunch at the local pub (e.g., The White Horse) 12.30pm
Afternoon: 1.15 or thereabouts - till 3.00pm
Continue sketching at Shere Museum courtyard, Almshouses, and nearby fields with sheep or wildflowers.
Return to Wotton House at 3.00pm.
Group critique and feedback session in the lounge area.
Dinner for those who’d like to join us.
Focus: Capturing village charm, textures, and architectural character
• Day 3 – Wednesday July 15th
Countryside Views & Woodland Sketching
Morning: Starting at 10.00am
Guided walk into the Wotton Estate countryside or nearby parks
Sketching panoramic landscapes, distant hills, old oak trees, and trail scenes
Lunch at the hotel - 12.30pm
purchase something from the cafe and we’ll sit outside under the umbrellas.
Afternoon: 1.15 or thereabouts - till 3.00pm
Sketch exercise: Atmospheric perspective & layered greens
Optional if it rains: indoor ink & watercolor workshop using field sketches
Group critique and feedback session in the lounge area.
Dinner for those who’d like to join us.
Focus: Ancient trees, wildflowers and landscapes, close up and distant.
• Day 4 – Thursday July 16th
Sketching in the Village of Gomshall
Morning: Starting at 10.00am
After breakfast a short drive visit to Gomshall a pretty village with a lovely old mill.
Lunch at the local pub - 12.30 pm
Afternoon: 1.15 or thereabouts - till 3.00pm
Sketching peaceful waters, wooded areas, and historical ruins
Return to Wotton House
Group critique and feedback session in the lounge area.
Dinner for those who’d like to join us.
Focus: Reflections, storytelling, and composition planning and typefaces
• Day 5 – Friday July 17th
Hidden Corners and fascinating 17thc Architecture
Morning: Starting at 10.00am
After breakfast we’ll go sketch Wotton House’s hidden corners and secret places.
Lunch at the Hotel cafe 12.00noon
Afternoon: 1.15 or thereabouts - till 3.00pm
Complete your sketches, group feedback and final group photo.
Departure by late afternoon for most sketchers.
Click the little icons below to see loads of my sketches on Pinterest and Instagram