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Our Vision
The Larmer Tree Project is a registered charity dedicated to enriching education and wellbeing through the creative arts in nature’s classroom. Rooted in the cultural heritage of Larmer Tree Gardens on the Dorset/Wiltshire border: a historic stage for community pageants where drama, poetry, music, and performance have flourished for generations, we continue this legacy by bringing people together through creativity. Our mission is simple: the arts and nature connect us. Through workshops, performances, and creative exploration, we empower children and communities to discover their voices, nurture their talents, and take ownership of their creativity.
What We Offer
We offer free access to an ongoing dynamic Creative Arts programme to local primary school children at the Larmer Tree Gardens. The programme consists of one day trip, one in-school follow up session and a final day performance at the gardens for all participating schools to celebrate creativity.
Day for
Schools
A fully immersive creative day for groups of KS2 children. The introductory visit explores drama, poetry, art and music. We work with leading professionals in their field providing high quality workshops and performances.
Follow up session
(in-school)
Our Drama Lead will return to the school over the following term for a full morning or afternoon session to follow-up on the individual school's poetry recital and children's contribution to the end of year Pageant.
Pageant
Performance
All participating schools will return to the gardens for a whole day to take part in an ensemble promenade performance alongside each other. The Pageant Day performances take place twice a year.
Our Workshops
Throughout the day the children rotate through a carousel of three group sessions (10-15 pupils).
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Poetry in the Gardens
The children explore our poetry trail which we use as the springboard for our creative adventure. Hidden throughout the gardens are 38 poems from Shakespeare to Lemn Sissay. Through using movement, improvisation, and storytelling, children find their voice, work collaboratively, and experience the joy of performance in a supportive, playful environment.
Art in the Indian Room
A light-filled, glass-fronted space overlooking the gardens — the Art session invites children to experiment with painting, drawing, and colour mixing techniques. Inspired by the nature and poetry they have just explored. Developing their fine motor skills and imagination, creating beautiful artworks which are used as part of the Pageant set design.
Music or Dance Outdoors
Both rhythm and movement bring all the day’s themes to life. Children experiment with percussion, song, and creative choreography, responding to the sounds of the garden and the words in the poetry. Through their dance and movement these sessions nurture coordination, creativity, and teamwork all within the gardens.