Herbs to Still in Summer 

The Course

Join us for a stillroom day in one of our historic houses. Inspired by Thomas Tusser’s 1573 poem Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, you will learn about summer stillroom tasks and how to use blessed thistle, betony, roses, raspberries, strawberries, saxifrage, sorrel, dill, fennel, mints, woodruff and hyssop in medicine and cookery. The day will also take a look at aromatic waters, strewing and fragrances, and how other herbs were used in the 16th century.

The Tutors

Christina Stapley BSc (Hons) MCPP is a retired qualified medical herbalist with a degree in Phytotherapy (plant therapy). She has grown, studied and used over 300 herbs and has written three books on cultivating and using herbs in cookery, fragrant recipes, wines and liqueurs, crafts and home remedies. She has also edited and interpreted a 17th century book of cookery and physic recipes.

Christina now lives in Wiltshire and teaches History of Western Herbal Medicine, Pharmacognosy and Materia Medica for the School of Herbal Medicine.

Participant Information

Please bring with you a pen and paper and suitable clothing footwear as you will spend part of the day outside. The course may take place in an historic building which can be cool, it is advisable to wear warm layers.

Fee & Refreshments

£75 per person, including tuition, teas and coffees. Please let the Museum know in advance of any dietary requirements. The Museum café will be open for lunch or alternatively participants can bring their own packed lunch.