Just look at these exciting new ventures opening up in the Chilterns!

Chiltern Sky Flowers is literally blossoming at Bledlow Ridge. Chiltern Sky Flowers is an artisan flower farm, growing and selling a wonderful mix of flowers and foliage from April to October. Inspiration comes from the informal garden-gathered style of floristry, selecting sustainable, seasonal and scented blooms. All their flowers are grown from seed and without using chemicals and pesticides.

Flowers are always picked to order and conditioned overnight, to make sure they have the longest possible vase life. One-off orders for buckets or bouquets of flowers, flower subscriptions, wedding flowers and gift vouchers are all available on their website.

For a special experience, book on to a Chiltern Sky Flowers workshop. Enjoy a fabulous morning touring the flower farm and perennial garden, followed by practical demonstrations and advice on cutting, conditioning and arranging flowers. They also offer creative workshops including botanical drawing and photography.

Micro Travels with Mary is now offering 3 hour landscape photography workshops. Led by the fabulous Mary Tebje who lives and breathes the Chilterns, the workshops introduce landscape photography during a practical field tutorial. Mary leaves the tech at the field gate and focuses on the creative process: how to look and actually see the possibilities.

The workshop takes place in a former chalk quarry in the Chiltern Hills, near Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. As a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) it presents a particular natural landscape and rare wildflower meadow typical of the chalk downland, with a twist of industrial archaeology.

Mumadora Crafts is owned by Karen Wick. Karen brings together talented makers with budding enthusiasts. Buyers love meeting the local crafters exhibiting their products at Mumadora Makers Fairs and finding beautiful things. Karen set up the business after losing her Mum to cancer – attending craft fairs and workshops was something they’d regularly enjoyed together. So if you’re seeking that perfect item for yourself or friends and family, check out the website for dates and details of stunning locations and regular exhibitors.

Mumadora also runs creative workshops for adults to learn new crafts themselves. Karen believes taking time out to relax with friends and family and learn something new is more important than ever. Discover the vast array of craft workshops available from the website and learn about the amazing crafters who pass on their knowledge and expertise, inspiring others to create their own unique work.

The Walled Garden Pottery is currently being launched in a former potting shed by John Nuttgens, an inspiring ceramic artist. The Pottery is part of an exciting new project to renovate the old walled garden in West Wycombe and create a thriving community that includes creative enterprises and a cafe.

As well as exhibiting work, John and his partner Vanessa will be running pottery courses and individual classes from the studio. The classes will be taught by experienced potters and teach a range of skills and approaches to working with clay including wheel throwing, handbuilding and sculpture.

The Walled Garden Café in West Wycombe is itself a stunning spot for morning coffee, lunch or tea. Now open seven days per week, the café boasts some amazing suppliers including Wild Frog Bakehouse (whose artisan bread, pastries and croissants are outstanding) and Origin Coffee Roasters. Enjoy a relaxing break amid amazing scenic views in a wonderful environment. Four legged friends and cyclists well catered for too!

Fungi Farmer, otherwise known as Mark Binns runs his mushroom farm from Swallowfield, near Reading and attends several farmers markets in the Chilterns, including Henley. He’s a specialist, providing both medicinal and edible fungi which he grows himself.

Catch up with Mark at one of the local farmers markets and chat about how he grows his amazing variety of spectacular mushrooms and how best to prepare and cook them. You can follow Mark on Facebook to keep updated on upcoming markets.

Thames & Chiltern Honey Bees is owned and run by Kris and Shaunagh, who share a love of animals and in particular honey bees. Three years from inception, the couple now have over 50 hives and produce their own queen bees – essential for healthy hives. Healthy hives have led to the production of delicious honey, along with leftover wax for candles and beauty products. All these are now available from their website, as well as specialist products for beekeeping like Nucs and seeds for the bees.

We know many of you are rightly concerned about the decline of insect pollinators, so why not visit Kris and Shaunagh for a Beekeeper Experience Day? Chat about all things bees, learn the parts of the beehive and go and get into a real hive! Pick up tips on how to improve your patch to encourage bees, or what is entailed in keeping a hive. After a tasty lunch, have a go at candle-making and of course, sample the honey.

Boondock Events organises trail running races and guided hikes across the Chilterns. But their days out bring more than just your average run or hike. At Boondock, the team aim not only to challenge you, but connect you with the great outdoors. Feel the rush of an exhilarating experience in the glorious Chilterns countryside. Check out the website to book onto the Bradenham Blast or the Chilterns Three Peaks.

Looks like there’s something new for everyone.