Join Queer Ecologist Connor Butler for an immersive exploration of Benton End, the former home of celebrated artist and gardener Sir Cedric Morris and his partner, artist Arthur Lett-Haines.
Tucked away in rural Suffolk, Morris and Lett cultivated a space “outside the system” where creativity, biodiversity, and Queer identity thrived. This event offers a unique opportunity to delve into the nature and history of this extraordinary site, which continues to inspire artists, gardeners, and ecologists today.
After a warm welcome to Benton End, Connor will lead a guided nature tour of the garden, focusing on plants and animals that challenge societal perceptions of what is considered “natural” or “unnatural.” Armed with hand lenses, we’ll learn how to identify several plants and invertebrates and discover how the ecology of Benton End reflects Morris’s ethos of coexistence and experimentation. In the afternoon, participants are invited to take part in self-led art activities inspired by Morris’s teaching or join a biodiversity survey of the garden, offering a chance to engage with the landscape in a hands-on way.
The day concludes with a tour of Morris and Lett’s historic 16th-century house, providing a glimpse into the space that served as a sanctuary for many Queer artists in the 20th century. Whether you are drawn to the garden, the art, or the Queer history, this event celebrates the enduring legacy of Sir Cedric Morris and Arthur Lett-Haines and the spirit of Benton End.
Bios
-
Connor the Ecologist
Connor the Ecologist
Connor the Ecologist is a London-based entomologist and educator on a mission to make people notice and appreciate the smaller details in nature. His current work focuses on Queer Ecology, challenging traditional ideas about what is considered “natural” or “unnatural”. He has had over 1,000 people join his Queer Ecology tours to date, celebrating nature in all its diversity. Connor is the former Head of Learning at Chelsea Physic Garden, and is currently overseeing the Garden’s first biodiversity audit. He has also curated Chelsea Physic Garden’s recent Queer Ecology exhibition, A Dash of Lavender.
Instagram: @connor_the_ecologist
Website: connorbutler.co.uk
