‘SKETCHING Kent.
castles, gardens &English village life
2027
MONDAY JUly 12th to SUNday July 17th
Come and spend seven unhurried days immersed in the beautiful English countryside of Kent.
Based at the elegant historic Chilston Park Hotel, we’ll explore a wonderful mix of castles, magnificent gardens, ancient houses and charming English villages — but this isn’t a sightseeing trip where we’re rushing from one place to the next.
It’s a week to slow down.
To sit somewhere beautiful with your sketchbook, look around, and notice the things you might normally walk straight past.
An old doorway. A crooked cottage. Flowers spilling over a garden wall. Reflections in a moat. A village church. A country pub.
A magnificent castle appearing through the trees.
Each day we’ll discover somewhere new, with plenty of time to stop, sketch, wander, have a leisurely lunch and simply enjoy being there.
You don’t need to be an experienced artist. You don’t need to produce a perfect sketch.
Slow down and see the world through a creative sketching eye with me, Erin, in this romantic English setting.
No sketching experience required.
Just a real desire to learn something new and take time each day to look at the world differently while we create.
This trip is ideal for people who enjoy independent travel, want to learn to sketch and like to share experiences & conversations
with a small group of like-minded people over dinner in the evenings..
YOUR HOSTS AND ORGANISERS
International Sketch Tutor Erin Hill and Milton Hill European historian enthusiast, are your hosts and organisers for these small more personal tours - the loveliest way to sketch and travel in the gorgeous English countryside.
We can easily tailor our week to do the things you’d most like to achieve.
Monday July 13th to Friday July 17th
Step into the pages of an English storybook in 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.
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COSTS
7 Days £1995
5 Days £1375
Single Days £295
(Deposit on 7 or 5 days £295 non refundable but can be transferred to another of my tours in future)
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Early Bird Discount;
Valid until 1st January 2027.
Any bookings after midnight on 31 December 2026 will have a price increase of £120 per person on both 7 & 5 days.
Single days will have a price increase of £30 per day
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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.
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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