Free ‘Show & Tell’ talk comes to Worcester on 27 July
A free evening talk at The Hive in Worcester will explore how naturalists, explorers and artists recorded the natural world, from early plant books to observations and specimens gathered in the field.
“Show & Tell – Describing the natural world” takes place on Monday 27 July 2026 from 18:00 to 20:00 on Level 2 of The Hive. The subject matter is likely to be of particular interest to people fascinated by plants and animals, as well as those interested in drawing or painting the natural world.
At a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday 27 July 2026 |
| Time | 18:00 to 20:00 |
| Venue | Level 2, The Hive, Worcester |
| Admission | Listed as free |
| Event type | Talk |
From medicinal plants to botanical illustration
The evening begins with the early study of nature and the books known as Herbals. These works described plants and their uses in medicines, showing how practical knowledge formed an important part of early attempts to document the natural world.
The talk will then consider how that work changed when explorers were able to observe plants and animals in their natural environments and collect specimens. Those opportunities enabled scientists and artists to describe their characteristics more accurately, connecting first-hand observation with the records produced for other people to study.
Botanical illustration is another central theme. Its inclusion brings together the evening’s interests in science and art: close observation was needed to identify and describe specimens, while drawing and painting provided a way to record what had been seen.
For visitors approaching the subject through art rather than science, this part of the programme offers a clear link between visual practice and the wider history of natural discovery. Those drawn to plants and gardens will also encounter the historical role of people who promoted plants and their uses.
The people behind records of the natural world
Rather than focusing only on individual plants or animals, the event will showcase stories of people who travelled to parts of the world then described as unexplored in search of natural specimens and knowledge. It will consider naturalists and explorers alongside the artists who helped turn observation into a visual record.
The programme also includes people who championed plants and helped establish their uses in gardens. Together, these strands place Herbals, collected specimens and botanical illustration within a broader story about how knowledge of nature was recorded and shared.
According to Visit Worcestershire Events, the confirmed highlights are stories of explorers and naturalists, the history of Herbals, and botanical illustration. The supplied listing does not name an individual speaker or organiser.
Address and entry details
The venue address is Level 2, The Hive, The Butts, Sawmill Close, Worcester, WR1 3PD. The event is listed as free and is scheduled to run for two hours.
Separate booking instructions, transport guidance and accessibility information are not included in the Visit Worcestershire Events listing. Anyone who needs confirmation about advance entry arrangements, directions within the building or access requirements should check with The Hive before travelling.
Source: Visit Worcestershire Events
Context & actions About this article
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The preview uses the published Visit Worcestershire Events listing for its programme and practical details.
- Confirmed the event date as Monday 27 July 2026.
- Confirmed the advertised time as 18:00 to 20:00.
- Confirmed the venue as Level 2 of The Hive in Worcester.
- Confirmed that the event is listed as free.
- Source
- Visit Worcestershire Events
- Scope
- Worcester
- Updated
- 2026-07-27 19:22
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