As midwinter creeps in, darkness deepens and sound thins. Days shorten, the Garden quietens and plants pass into dormancy while a slow beating continues beneath the soil. Berries glow briefly against bare stems; seeds wait in the dark. In London’s oldest botanical garden, we enter the season of long nights, as the old year begins to blow away.

Part of Folklore ReRooted, this full-day creative writing workshop invites writers to create folklore for modern times, using the Garden in winter as both setting and catalyst, a season for storytelling, as darkness settles outside.

About Helen Haxell-White

Helen Haxell-White is a professional storyteller who runs creative writing workshops on the paranormal in Somerset, where she is based.

Originally from Suffolk, ghost stories and the paranormal have been under her skin from an early age. Helen can often be found after dark, exploring historical monuments and dark woods to get her heart racing and feel the fear for creative inspiration.

Helen is currently finalising her ghost story anthology, titled 33 Ghosts, which is a collection of flash fiction for the digital age.

Included in your ticket:

• Entry to the Garden for the day
• Light refreshments
• A branded Twisted Roots notebook to accompany your writing.

When you attend this event, you’re supporting Chelsea Physic Garden’s charitable mission to protect and celebrate plant knowledge for future generations.