Culpeper's Medicine Garden

If you have been looking for a way to spend an evening that connects local history with the natural environment, there is an upcoming series of sessions titled Culpeper's Medicine Garden taking place at The Coach House in Kemp Town. The event is led by herbalist Sara Jane Glendinning and musician Jo Burke, who perform together as 'The Cunning Folk of Sussex'. Their approach combines a practical herbal walk with the sharing of folklore and traditional songs, drawing inspiration from the 17th-century herbalist Nicholas Culpeper.

During these sessions, the focus is on identifying wild healing plants and understanding their traditional, curative, and magical uses. It is a structured experience where the botanical knowledge provided by Glendinning is woven together with the musical performance by Burke, who incorporates traditional songs that feature the specific plants being discussed. The venue for these gatherings is The Coach House, located at 22 Walpole Road, Brighton, BN2 0EA.

The sessions are scheduled to run on several dates throughout the spring and early summer of 2026: April 17, April 19, April 21, May 8, May 19, and June 2. Most of these sessions are held from 18:00 to 20:30, with the exception of the June 2 date, which is listed as starting at 18:00. The cost to attend is £17.00 per person. It is a straightforward setup for anyone interested in exploring local plant life through the lens of history and folk tradition, without the usual noise of the city centre.