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Orchid Festival
Need help with your orchids? Then the National Botanic Garden of Wales is the place to be on Saturday and Sunday, September 2-3.
At the Carmarthenshire attraction’s 10th annual Orchid Festival, there are talks and tips for everyone, from beginners to experts; teenage orchid grower Archie Smith will give a talk entitled: ‘Bulbophyllum – love them or hate them?’; there’s a demonstration of repotting and mounting; and a ‘How to create your own epiphyte orchid tree’ demo.
Organised by the Orchid Study Group under the chairmanship of botanist Dr Kevin Davies, the festival really does have something for everyone.
Rare and unusual specimens take centre stage in the Garden marquee with a stunning display of blooms by growers from all over the UK, along with botanical art, specialist book-sellers, carnivorous plants and orchids for sale from popular nurseries and traders.
There’s also the chance to put a range of plants under the microscope and find out in detail what makes orchids so fascinating.
For more about the event, including a timetable of two days of talks and demonstrations, call 01558 667149 or email info@gardenofwales.org.uk
Admission to the Garden is £10.50 (including Gift Aid) for adults and £4.95 for children over five. Entry is FREE for Garden members and parking is free for all.
Summer Holidays
There are now only a few days left of the school summer holidays, and we’ve had a blast here at the Garden, with family activities on EVERY day of them.
There are still a few days left to enjoy them, especially as we’re finishing the holidays off with the ever-popular annual Botanic Garden Vegetable Olympics.
Families will again be challenged by such events as the rhubarb javelin, putting the swede, potato throwing and welly wanging. The faster, higher, stronger you are, the more likely you are to end up with one of the Garden’s coveted winners’ wreaths.
Don’t forget about the hay bale maze, water zorbing and our fab adventure play park!
Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Family Fun Day
A special day of events for the whole family, put on by Menter Cwm Gwendraeth, on Saturday the 2nd of September.
Tickets must be bought in advance from Menter – £5 for adults, £3 for children under 16 years old – please call 01269 871600
Members, Bring a Friend – Free of Charge
Remember, remember: all of September is ‘Members: bring a friend, FREE of charge’ month at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
All month long, your membership card will act as if it has a “plus one” facility attached to it – every single day of September.
And there’s plenty to see and do during this special month.
There’s the 10th annual Orchid Festival (2nd and 3rd); Tours of the Great Glasshouse, with our volunteer guide Derek Caldwell at 11am, 12.30 and 2pm – every Tuesday; On the 9th and 10th, the National Vegetable Society, Welsh Branch is holding its Championship show, and the South Wales Group of the National Chrysanthemum Society is holding its annual Chrysanthemum Show; and there’s the world’s first ever Science, Nature and Comedy festival on the weekend of the 16th and 17th.
For information about becoming a member of the National Botanic Garden call Jane on 01558 667118 or email membership@gardenofwales.org.uk
The British Bird of Prey Centre
There are awesome encounters to be had EVERY day at the National Botanic Garden’s brand-new attraction – The British Bird of Prey Centre – with daily flying displays at 11:30am and 2:30pm!
There’s an additional £3 charge to the Centre, and you’ll be able to enjoy amazing flying displays by a Jack Merlin, Red Kites, and Angus, the White Tailed Sea Eagle!
September – What’s On
As August draws to a close, it’s time now to look ahead the many wonderful events planned here at the Garden throughout September…
It’s Doggy Day EVERY Monday!
Family activities EVERY day of the school summer holidays – up until the 3rd of September!
Visit the beautiful, colourful and tropical butterflies in the Butterfly House, Plas Pilipala
Daily flying displays by The British Bird of Prey Centre – Entry £3
Members, Bring a Friend – Free of Charge – Every day in September
September 1
Parkland Restoration Tour
Discover more about Sir William Paxton’s fabulous historic parkland and get an update on the progress of our Regency Restoration Project
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 2
Young Archaeologists’ Club – YAC at the Garden
Children aged 8-16 are invited to join the Young Archaeologists’ Club to learn about archaeology and explore the Garden’s past
September 2
Menter Cwm Gwendraeth Family Fun Day
Special day of events for the whole family
Tickets in advance from MCG – £5 for adults, £3 for children under 16 years old – 01269 871600
September 2-3
Orchid Festival
Talks and tips for everyone, from beginners to experts
September 4-8
Volunteering at the Vault
Would you like to help clear and record this historic site at the edge of the Garden?
To book: louise.austin@gardenofwales.org.uk or 01558 667178
September 5
Guided tours of the Great Glasshouse at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
September 6
Garden History Tour
Learn more on the Garden’s fascinating history
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 6
Welly Wednesday
Fun activities for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups!
1 hour at 11am from Gatehouse
September 7
Farming & Wildlife: Then & Now
Guided tour at 12noon from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 8
Jumanji Under the Stars
Fabulous family outdoor cinema experience with the classic, Jumanji!
Tickets £12 for adults, £8 for children
September 8
Parkland Restoration Tour
Discover more about Sir William Paxton’s fabulous historic parkland and get an update on the progress of our Regency Restoration Project
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 9-10
Chrysanthemum Show, with Dahlia and Begonia Exhibition
September 9-10
National Vegetable Society Welsh Branch Championships 2017
The very best veg in the UK is gathered in the Garden
September 12
Guided tours of the Great Glasshouse at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
September 13
Garden History Tour
Learn more on the Garden’s fascinating history
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 13
Welly Wednesday
Fun activities for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups!
1 hour at 11am from Gatehouse
September 14
Rotary Car Club visit
September 14
Farming & Wildlife: Then & Now
Guided tour at 12noon from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 15
Parkland Restoration Tour
Discover more about Sir William Paxton’s fabulous historic parkland and get an update on the progress of our Regency Restoration Project
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 16
Valentine’s Choir – Singing in the Restaurant Courtyard from 12:30pm-1pm
September 16-17
September Comedy Festival Weekend
The world’s first ever Science, Nature and Comedy Festival!
September 19
Guided tours of the Great Glasshouse at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
September 20
Garden History Tour
Learn more on the Garden’s fascinating history
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 20
Welly Wednesday
Fun activities for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups!
1 hour at 11am from Gatehouse
September 21
Farming & Wildlife: Then & Now
Guided tour at 12noon from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 22
Parkland Restoration Tour
Discover more about Sir William Paxton’s fabulous historic parkland and get an update on the progress of our Regency Restoration Project
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 23-24
Doggy Weekend
Bring your pet pooch for a fabulous walk at the Garden
September 24
Swansea MG Enthusiasts’ Club – Brecon Beacons run
September 26
Guided tours of the Great Glasshouse at 11am, 12:30pm & 2pm
September 27
Garden History Tour
Learn more on the Garden’s fascinating history
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 27
Welly Wednesday
Fun activities for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups!
1 hour at 11am from Gatehouse
September 28
Farming & Wildlife: Then & Now
Guided tour at 12noon from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 29
Parkland Restoration Tour
Discover more about Sir William Paxton’s fabulous historic parkland and get an update on the progress of our Regency Restoration Project
2pm from the Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse
September 30 – October 1
Middleton in the 17th Century
Come and join “Sir Henry Vaughan’s Company of foote” during the years of the civil war. The Sealed Knot bring this tumultuous period of the Garden’s history to life.