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Christmas at the Garden
There is a veritable ‘section box’ of events at the Garden this December offering fun for all the family. Here’s a taster to get in the festive spirit!
On December 8 and 9 the Garden’s popular Christmas Craft Fair returns and is offering something for everyone looking to buy that perfect last-minute gift. From handmade scented candles and fudge, and artisan jewellery to homewares and glassware items! The Garden will also be welcoming Mess Up The Mess for their festive pantomime Winter Wonder World this weekend!
On December 15 and 16 indulge yourself in some seasonal Christmas treats at the National Botanic Garden’s popular Christmas Food Fair. There’ll be lots of tasty treats on offer which includes luxury cakes by The Apprentice winner – Alana Spencer, cheese, chocolate and chutney, honey, baked goods and cider, smoked meats and coffee, and many more festive treats! The Garden will also be welcoming Mess Up The Mess for their festive pantomime The Last Quest this weekend!
Christmas this year is going to be a hoot as the Garden and British Birds of Prey Centre will host daily Owl Shows at 1pm from December 5-23. Shows include flying owl displays, festive music and games, and you’ll get to meet our Santa Owl! The Owl Shows will cost will an additional £3.50 per person – this also includes entry to the British Birds of Prey Centre and their daily flying displays.
This Christmas we’ll also be offering Christmas dinner at the Garden. The Christmas menu begins on Monday 3 December and will run until Sunday 23 December. All deposits and enquiries need to go to Catering on 01558 667141 or catering@gardenofwales.org.uk.
Star Party
Join us for an out-of-this-world experience on Saturday 17 November in partnership with Swansea Astronomical Society, and AstroCymru. There will be workshops and activities from 2pm, and our Star Party from 6pm-9pm for £3.
If the skies are clear you will also explore the moon, Mars, Uranus and Neptune. But don’t worry if it’s cloudy, you can enjoy the astronomy activities in the Great Glasshouse.
For more information on this or any other of the Garden events email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or ring 01558667149.
Their Light Still Shines
In a special service in the Great Glasshouse, ‘Their Light Still Shines’ is a time to reflect and remember those we have lost, and an opportunity to light a personal candle and commend the name of your loved one.
There will be specially selected readings, musical interludes from local artistes, as well as singing of a few well-loved songs/carols.
The event starts at 2.30pm on Sunday 18 November.
For further information please contact:
Secretary Tŷ Cymorth Emlyn Schiavone 07779 420626 or Euryl Howells, Senior Chaplain, Hywel Dda University Health Board (01267) 227563 or Euryl.Howells2@wales.nhs.uk.
Membership As A Gift
National Botanic Garden membership is the gift that keeps on giving.
Enjoy the splendour and the beauty of this very special place 363 days of the year – from as little as £38.
The perfect present. Now and for the future.
For more information about the different types of membership on offer, take a look at our membership page or call Jane on 01558 667118 or our Admissions team on 01558 667149. Or email membership@gardenofwales.org.uk
Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking takes place in the Garden every Monday.
Adventure Walk 12.30pm – a social walk enjoying the beautiful surroundings & finishing with a cup of tea.
Wellbeing Walk 1.30pm – A gentle walk for those concerned about distance or pace.
Regular taster sessions and learn to Nordic Walk courses will help you learn how to Nordic Walk for fitness, weight loss, and fun.
For more information please contact Becki at Pilates in the Nordic on 07502 215827 or pilatesinthenordic@gmail.com or visit their website.
Buggy Running
There are FREE Buggy Running sessions every Tuesday at 10am, in conjunction with Welsh Athletics and Mudiad Meithrin.
Buggy Running is for families who want to walk, jog or run with their little ones.
Participants should meet at the café near the main Garden entrance. A buggy that is suitable for jogging is essential.
The sessions are led by a qualified Ti a Fi run leader. Places are limited so please book your buggy running place via EventBrite.
For more information about Buggy Running at the Botanic Garden, contact tanwen.randell@meithrin.cymru or sharon.leech@welshathletics.org
The British Bird of Prey Centre
The British Bird of Prey Centre has been awarded number 1 on the list of top things to do in Carmarthen on Trip Advisor. The centre has a specialist collection of British raptors, focusing on the welfare and conservation of our native species of birds of prey.
The new centre is based in the National Botanic Garden of Wales, so you can visit during your day in the Garden.
Daily Flying Displays Timetable
11.30am – Flying Display (45 minutes)
1pm – Owl Flying & Talk (30 minutes)
2.30 – Flying Display (45 minutes)
3.30 – Conservation Talk (30 minutes)
Open daily.
You can also have Half a Day Flying Experience with an experienced falconer!
These amazing experiences include 2.5 hours of flying 4 different species of birds. Photographs, refreshments and entry into the Garden are included in the price. It’s a 100% unique and private show for you to experience!
Adults £75
Children (5-16) £30*
Family (2+2) £199
*Under 5’s fly free of charge. All children must be accompanied by a full paying adult.
Taster sessions are also available where you can fly red kites and many more birds for an additional £10.
To book your place: Call: 01437 751725 or email: info@britishbirdofpreycentre.co.uk
Welly Wednesday
Welly Wednesday activities are at 11am and are included in the price of entry (under 5s are free) and run every Wednesday during term time.
This week’s activity, 14th November is called ‘Good night Hedgehog’. The children will meet a very sleepy hedgehog and find out more about him. They will help him to make a safe place to hibernate for the winter and also feed him up before he goes to sleep. The children will also make their own hedgehog out of clay to take home.
Next week’s activity, 21st November, is ‘Fox in his Den’. The children will learn that foxes live in dens under the ground. We will make a large den that the children can explore with torches. They will also make a fox finger puppet to take home. At the end they will learn a fox song and listen to a fox story.
Garden Explorers Activity Club
Thank you to everybody who came to our Garden Explorers Activity Club in October half term. We had a magical time learning about owls, Welsh woodlands and pond life and kept ourselves busy with raft making, den building, creative art, playground adventures and even a spot of singing and dancing.
Our activity club will be running again during February half term for 6 to 12 year olds on 25-27th February from 8 am each day. If you would like more details or to book a place then please contact us at gardenexplorers@gardenofwales.org.uk
Doggy Days and Weekends
It’s Doggy Weekend this weekend November 17-18! Bring your pet pooch for a lovely walk around our beautiful Garden. But don’t worry if you can’t make it because every Monday is Doggy Day at the Garden too.
Our next Doggy Weekends are on:
December 22-23
January 5-6
February 9-10
March 16-17
April 6-7
The Garden’s Doggy Day rules urge all owners to be responsible and clean up after your dog, and keep you dogs on a non-extendable lead at all times.