Turn your passion for gardens into creative skills with Capel Manor College's new Introduction to Garden Design course, starting in Mottingham on Thursday 7 January 2027.

Ever dreamed of designing your own garden or exploring a new creative career? A new beginner-friendly Garden Design course at Capel Manor College’s Mottingham campus offers the perfect opportunity to take that first step.

Starting on Thursday 7 January 2027, the Introduction to Garden Design (Level 1) course runs for 10 weeks, with expert tuition designed to help students develop their creativity, confidence and practical design skills.

No previous experience is needed, making it an ideal introduction for garden enthusiasts, complete beginners and anyone considering a new direction in their career.

What the course covers

Learn how to transform ideas into inspiring garden designs, developing the essential skills and techniques used by garden designers. Throughout the course, students will explore:

  • Creating garden design plans and section elevations
  • Developing a garden design project from initial ideas to finished plans
  • Building confidence in freehand drawing and observational skills
  • Understanding the key principles of garden design
  • Exploring how plants, planting schemes and hedging can shape outdoor spaces

Working towards a Certificate in Garden Design from Gateway Qualifications, students complete a practical garden design project supported by sketches and drawings across three modules.

The course provides a supportive introduction to garden design, with opportunities to develop skills through coursework and independent research.

For those inspired to take their learning further, it can also provide a stepping stone towards more advanced study, including the Garden Design Certificate (Level 2) or RHS Level 2 qualifications.

Students and staff planting a new border beside gabion walls at Capel Manor College's Mottingham campus
Students and teaching staff planting the new garden area at the Mottingham campus. Photo: supplied by Capel Manor College

Who can apply, and what it costs

The course is open to adults aged 19 and over, with no previous garden design experience required. Applicants should have basic English and maths skills equivalent to GCSE standard.

The course fee is £742, although eligible students may qualify for free tuition, depending on their personal circumstances. This may include those receiving certain benefits, on a low income or working towards their first substantial qualification. Additional materials fees may apply.

Capel Manor College can provide advice on available funding and help prospective students understand their options.

Applications are now open for the January course at Mottingham.

The Mottingham campus

Set within attractive green surroundings on Mottingham Lane, Capel Manor College’s Mottingham campus provides an inspiring environment for anyone interested in gardens, plants and the natural world.

As London’s leading green skills provider, Capel Manor College offers specialist education and training across subjects including garden and landscape design, horticulture, floristry, animal management, and wildlife and environmental conservation.

The Mottingham campus provides opportunities to learn in a setting connected to the subjects being studied, with outdoor spaces and natural habitats that help bring learning to life.

Students are also contributing to the development of the campus itself. Earlier this year, horticulture and garden design students worked alongside teaching staff to create a new planted garden area based on a winning design by adult learner Rebecca Paddock.

Selected from entries by 30 garden design learners, Rebecca’s scheme combines Mediterranean, subtropical and prairie-style planting to create an attractive and sustainable space that now supports teaching on the College’s RHS courses.

Reflecting on the project, Rebecca highlighted the opportunity to create a planting scheme that would not only enhance the campus but also help educate and inspire future horticulture students.

It’s a great example of how creative ideas developed through learning can become real spaces for others to enjoy.

A student kneeling to plant a newly dug bed in front of a timber-clad building at the Mottingham campus
Planting the new bed outside one of the campus's timber-clad buildings in Mottingham. Photo: supplied by Capel Manor College

Getting there

Capel Manor College’s Mottingham campus is located on Mottingham Lane, SE12 9AW, making it accessible to learners from Mottingham, Bromley and surrounding areas of South East London.

The campus is approximately two minutes’ drive from the A20 Sidcup Road and South Circular roundabout, with parking available on site.

Public transport options include nearby bus stops at Jevington Way, Alnwick Road and Mottingham Way, all within approximately five minutes’ walk. Mottingham railway station is around a 23-minute walk from the campus.

What it means for you

A new year could be the start of something new.

If you love gardens, enjoy being creative or have been thinking about a change of career, this 10-week course offers an accessible way to explore your interests and develop new skills.

Learn from industry experts, build your confidence and discover how to turn your ideas into garden designs, all without needing any previous experience.

With potential funding available for eligible students, the opportunity to get started may be more affordable than you think.

Interested in finding out more?

Capel Manor College is holding an Advice Morning on Saturday 28 November, from 10am to 12pm, giving prospective students the chance to meet tutors, explore course options and get advice on applications and funding.

Take the first step towards developing your garden design skills.

Two Capel Manor College students sitting outdoors sketching garden plans on paper
Garden design students sketching plans outdoors. Photo: supplied by Capel Manor College