THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Spend two hours crafting a custom cacti or succulent garden with Alice at The Outside In on Skeldergate, York. Enjoy a complimentary York Gin & Tonic, hands-on instruction, and a take-home spring basket with aftercare tips.
Spend two hours crafting a custom cacti or succulent garden with Alice at The Outside In on Skeldergate, York. Enjoy a complimentary York Gin & Tonic, hands-on instruction, and a take-home spring basket with aftercare tips.
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Operated by York Distillery · York, England
On a quiet stretch of Skeldergate in York, England, The Outside In's workshop offers a hands-on introduction to hardy cacti and drought-tolerant succulents. Led by Alice, this two-hour session combines plant care fundamentals with creative planting: guests build a personalized cacti or succulent garden inside a woven basket, receive aftercare tips and a sturdy bag for safe transport, and are welcomed with a complimentary York Gin & Tonic on arrival.
The workshop takes place through the small raised-bed garden on Skeldergate—the same entrance shared with Emperor's Gym and just off the access that leads toward Middleton's hotel—so it's easy to find and feels part of the city's working riverside. The Outside In brings plant-studio attention to material textures: gritty, free-draining soil, pumice and grit mixed for desert species, and an array of sculptural rosettes and columnar cacti chosen for spring planting. These are species that tolerate compact urban homes: echeveria, haworthia, sedum and small opuntia relatives, each offering distinct shapes and leaf textures that read well in close-up spaces.
Alice guides learners through potting technique, compost choices, and the little engineering tricks that keep succulent gardens thriving—drainage strategy, root pruning, and light placement—so even beginners leave confident. The social setting doubles as a low-stakes craft night: small groups, communal benches and the clink of glasses make the session as much about the city’s convivial spirit as about horticulture.
This workshop is a standout option in York’s mix of historic tourism and hands-on makers’ experiences because it ties botanical know-how to an immediate, take-home result: a robust basket suitable for spring display, plus a printed aftercare guide. It’s ideal for visitors who want a tactile souvenir, locals seeking a seasonal hobby, or anyone hunting an indoor activity that still connects to plants and place.
Accessibility is straightforward—limited stairs may apply at the Skeldergate entrance—so check access notes when booking. Bring casual clothes you don’t mind getting a little soil on; The Outside In supplies tools and materials. Bookings use a small group model, and the included York Gin & Tonic means the session begins with a warm welcome. Whether you’re a plant-curious traveller or a York resident craving a new craft, this workshop pairs practical instruction with a leisurely, social atmosphere and a living take-home memento.
At £35 per person, the fee covers materials and guided instruction; groups stay small to guarantee hands-on attention. The class is spring-focused but runs at other times based bookings and offers year-round options—check The Outside In schedule when you reserve. It makes a gift or team activity for small groups, and the finished basket travels safely in the supplied bag. Leave with practical confidence and a compact living display that thrives in bright, indirect windows.
easy.
2 hours.
Minimal physical exertion; suitable for most adults and teens who can stand or sit for short periods.
The session runs approximately 2 hours as described in the booking listing.
Yes—each participant is offered a complimentary York Gin & Tonic on arrival as part of the workshop.
Absolutely—Alice structures the class for all levels, covering basic potting, drainage, and aftercare.
Yes—The Outside In provides a strong bag so your finished basket can travel home safely.
Materials and the selected plants for the basket are included in the workshop fee (£35 per person).
Check the booking details for age restrictions; the session is designed for adults and older teens, and small spines require supervision.
York is an ancient city with Roman and Viking layers; Skeldergate sits on the riverside route that has been active for centuries.
The workshop emphasizes low-waste potting mixes and recommends drought-tolerant species to reduce long-term water use; participants are encouraged to recycle plastic pots and avoid peat-based composts.
York Distillery, located in York, England, is a boutique distillery and tasting venue offering hands-on gin workshops, guided tastings and a speakeasy-style bar. The distillery’s programme includes make-your-own-gin workshops where participants take part in a guided tasting, learn the history of gin, select botanicals from the on-site garden and distill a personalised 700ml bottle to take home. Alongside gin workshops, York Distillery runs a range of tasting events: wine and crisps evenings, beer and crisps tastings led by expert Emma Moore, festive sparkling wine events, Champagne tastings for New Year, and mixed drink-and-cheese seasonal sessions. The venue also provides gin tastings and curated flights of spirits, wines and beers in a cosy speakeasy setting, with generous serves and storytelling around each pour. Experiences are designed for small groups, special events and casual evenings out. Guided formats and named hosts provide structure and insight during tastings, while hands-on workshops offer a practical distillation takeaway. York Distillery balances education and entertainment, making events suitable for enthusiasts and newcomers. Booking details, availability and specific event timings are listed on the distillery’s events or booking pages. All offerings are presented in a relaxed, social environment in York, emphasising flavour discovery, crafted spirits and seasonal celebrations.
Book with York Distillery