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Gift Fair
Chocolate gifts, jewellery, handbags, scarves, children’s books and a warming festive tipple – you’ll find all this and more at the National Botanic Garden Gift Fair on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5.
And it just might be the perfect place to solve the problem of what to get that difficult-to-buy-for loved one, friend or family member.
Among the top names gathering among the Mediterranean plantings in the Botanic Garden’s Great Glasshouse are Chantler Teas, Cusan Welsh Cream Liqueur and Little Grandma’s Kitchen.
Also among this special selection of local stallholders, you will find delicious tasters from Bee Dazzled and So Sweet Couture, plus items from up-and-coming designers such as Laura Elizabeth Davies and Anna Palamar.
Organiser Steffan John said: “The range of gifts on offer is as varied and unique as it’s ever been. It’s going to be a great weekend – and the perfect venue to get your Christmas shopping off to a fine start.”
The Gift Fair is on from 10am until 4.30pm on both days. Entry to the fair is included in the Garden admission price and there is plenty of free parking.
For more information on Garden news and events, visit our website, email info@gardenofwales.org.uk or call 01558 667149.
Pounds for Piers!
One of our horticulture team, Piers Lunt has been selected for a prestigious seed-collecting expedition to Tasmania.
The aim of the exciting three-week challenge is to collect seed for our Woods of the World project here at the Garden. It is hoped the Slate Beds and the Boulder Garden will also benefit.
Piers will join other experts from the National Trust, National Botanic Gardens of Ireland and the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens but he needs your help.
He has to raise £2,000 to finance his Tasmanian trip and we’re hoping Members can help.
Please give what you can but, in true crowd-funding fashion, there are a number of rewards on offer for our most generous givers:
£50 = 2 free tickets to the Garden
£100 = 4 free tickets and a special ‘Woods of the World’ tour with Piers
£250 = 2 family tickets, tour with Piers, exclusive afternoon tea in the Great Glasshouse and your name featured on the plant label of a Tasmanian specimen
If you can help, please contact Membership manager Jane Down on 01558 667118 or jane.down@gardenofwales.org.uk
You can also donate by visiting our JustGiving page, or by texting NBGW17 followed by a space, followed by the amount they want to donate (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070.
Garden Bake Off!
The Garden held its very own ‘Garden Bake Off’ cake sale on Tuesday 31st of October, with staff, volunteers and visitors donating and buying cakes to raise money for Piers’ trip.
A grand total of £400 was raised – a big thank you to everyone for their amazing support!
45% Increase in Visitor Numbers
We’re celebrating some good news at the Garden, as it’s been revealed that over the last two years, visitor numbers have increased by 45%!
Garden Director, Huw Francis, believes a “more family-orientated” focus and new attractions have helped boost visitor numbers.
He said 94,929 people visited the Garden in the first eight months of this year, up by 45.4% from 65,285 for the same period in 2015.
The increased footfall has also yielded a 23% rise in turnover, up from £1.2m in the first eight months of 2015 and a surplus of £144,000 to almost £1.5m and a surplus of £227,000 during the same period this year.
Mr Francis said: “The Garden has been working hard at broadening its appeal and new developments are proving a big hit with local people and tourists alike.
“The target is for 10% year on year increases in visitors over the next five years.”
You can read the full BBC News article here.
Autumn Half-Term
Don’t miss out on the Garden’s Autumn Half-Term family activities – with special harvest activities to enjoy!
Come and bake bread, make corn dollies, build a model farm and bob for apples.
There will also be a bird of prey display every day, amazing encounters to be had in our tropical Butterfly House and water zorbing.
All of these fun family activities take place between 11am and 3pm.
Winter Wonderland
There’s not long to go until the Garden is transformed into a ‘Winter Wonderland‘.
Come to the ‘Park After Dark’ this festive season and enjoy:
- Amazing lights show
- Stunning owl display
- Free mulled wine and mince pie
- Bar, barbecue, turkey rolls, candy floss and other yuletide treats
- Fun, games and music
There’s special entry from the 8th to the 17th of December, between 4-7pm: £6 for adults, £3 for children, free for members.