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Wales ♥ Wood
Wales ♥ Wood is a celebration of trees and takes place at the National Botanic Garden of Wales on Saturday and Sunday August 19-20.
There are two days of woodcraft demonstrations, tree-climbing, family fun, music and much more besides.
Find out about the ancient art of wood-turning, stick-making, basket-making and willow weaving; watch our mobile sawmill in action; and discover what is being done by our Regency Restoration team to restore Sir William Paxton’s early 19th century lakes and landscape.
The Garden’s Family Activities team will be getting families to practise the traditional rural craft of hurdle-making while the younger ones will be making their very own pine-cone dormouse. There will also be an extensive range of quality, value for money tools and machinery for sale from the woodworking tools company Axminster.
Event organiser Angharad Phillips says: “It will be a fabulous weekend to find out all about woodland conservation and management, and a chance to see our sustainable woodland practices in action here in our historic parkland.”
She added: “Wales ♥ Wood is an exciting event starring passionate people who love working with wood and trees and who will be getting together to share their passion and knowledge of wood crafts.”
You do not need to book this event. Normal Garden entry fees apply – Wales ♥ Wood activities are free.
The Garden is open from 10am to 6pm with last entry at 5pm.
Admission to the Garden is £10.50 (including Gift Aid donation) for adults and £8.75 for concessions.
Entry is FREE for Garden members and parking is FREE for all.
Meet a Meerkat
Tropical Inc. return to the Garden with their stunning and exotic menagerie!
On Tuesday and Wednesday (August 21st and 22nd), the meerkats will return to the Carmarthenshire attraction along with a selection of snakes, tarantulas, a porcupine, a skunk, a parrot and much more.
It is very much a fun-for-all-the-family show presented by Tropical Inc’s Steve Rowland.
It is a chance for mums, dads and the kids to get up close and personal with a whole variety of exotic animals with shows at 11am, 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm, on both days in the Garden marquee.
There’s an extra £3 charge for the shows and tickets are on sale now for the two days of shows and visitors are urged to book in advance to ensure they can get to enjoy another helping of animal magic. Call 01558 667149 to book your tickets.
Doggy Weekend
There’s a special treat for dogs and their owners with a Doggy Weekend on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 of August at the National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Don’t forget, EVERY Monday is Doggy Day at the Garden!
A full list of Doggy Day rules can be seen here. Dogs are permitted in Y Pot Blodyn’s coffee shop, the Seasons Restaurant, the Gift Shop and the main concourse of the Great Glasshouse.
Dogs are not permitted on the Great Glasshouse’s inner paths, the Butterfly House, nor the children’s play area.
Wildflower Recording
Come and volunteer to record wildflowers and help us to monitor our important natural habitats, from Monday August 21st to Friday 25th of August.
Sessions will be from 10am to 4pm, to book a place please contact the Garden’s Heritage Officer, Louise Austin, on 01558 667178 orlouise.austin@gardenofwales.org.uk
August Bank Holiday
There’s magic, balloon-modelling and fun for all the family this bank holiday weekend, with the help of everyone’s favourite magician, Luke Jugglestruck.
The West Wales Koi Keepers’ Society makes a welcome return to the Garden, holding their annual show.
Visit the Garden’s brand-new attraction – The British Bird of Prey Centre – with daily flying displays at 11:30am and 2:30pm (£3 entry to the Centre).
Don’t forget to visit the tropical butterflies in the Butterfly House, Plas Pilipala, and there’s water zorbing, the hay bale maze, the play park and the beautiful summer flowers to enjoy!
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!