Tag: family friendly

Working together for great days out

In these troubled times the unconscious and conscious connections we make with each other and the urge to help each other out is a real and heartwarming positive.

Visits to the Gardens truly do seem to be providing people with the healing moments we all need.

Over the last few months children, whether or not they are aware of the implications of the pandemic, are also visibly relieved to be out in a space where they can express their feelings and drink in the inspiring sights and smells.

For us running the charity, this helps us remember why we are doing it.  As a charitable business we are also aware of  our interdependencies with other small businesses. Artists, performers, makers have all taken a hit and we are proud to be able to offer a space and some business for them.

Equally we are indebted to all the online organisations out there connecting us to each other. Over the last few months there are some who have been particularly helpful

Here are a few… please follow and use them too #wegrowtogether

https://www.great-days-out.co.uk/   https://www.instagram.com/greatdaysoutuk/

https://www.familyfuninbrum.co.uk/  @Familyfuninbham

https://visitbirmingham.com/   @visit_birmingham

Share

Staycations at the Gardens

August in the Gardens is so packed with lovely activities, performances and treats there is surely no reason to risk those queues and crowds by going any further afield.

In the ‘New Normal’ we have revamped some of the way we do things and almost all activities now will be ‘pre-booked’.

So, in addition to normal Day Entry and our popular picnic takeaway ‘Cream Tea in A Box’ we have for visitors delight;

First Songs musical sessions for babies and their grown ups and Relaxed Concerts by the renowned  B’Opera who create  beautiful music for tiny ears.

Yoga sessions with Yogi Clair  – two sessions in the outdoors follow by a cream tea.

We have so many charming spaces in the Gardens and we are really pleased to be able to use them to enhance these sessions – what a memory to be made! Baby’s first ‘move and groove’ under the heritage apple trees.

The size of the Archery Lawn of course allows us to spread out and keep safe while still enjoying live performances from great local theatre companies.

Tread the Boards based in Stratford and Heartbreak Productions based in Leamington are bouncing back from lockdown with specially adapted performances for the family audience

Tickets for Wind in the Willows and Alice in Lockdown will go on sale on this site by the end of this week.

Share

“Journeys end in family’s meeting, Every wise man’s son doth know”

(to misquote Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night)

There are times when the proximity of the motorway junction is a blessing!

Today 2 families chose the Gardens as a halfway house meeting place to see their grandparents/parents/children/grandchildren for the first time since lockdown.

One family came from west and east to meet here, another from north and south.

Although it was a blustery cool day they all made the best of their much waited for reunion.

(Us in the Gardens’ shed a little tear, we must admit)

 

Share

What to expect in the post lockdown gardens

So how does visiting the Gardens now we’re open post Covid lockdown differ from the past?

We are still taking advice from with the RHS, other visitor attractions and of course the government about best practice to keep us all safe.

We have risk assessed and made changes  please bear with us if it things are not the same, or not quite perfect. We continue to evolve.
We just hope you will enjoy being here and making friends again with our beautiful space.

Getting in

We are open for longer hours but fewer days, Wednesday to Sunday  10.30 to 4.30.
At the gates there is one lane going in and one lane coming out -please keep your distances – you know how it goes!

We will continue to limit the numbers in the Gardens at any one time, so it will not be crowded and there is plenty of space for you to socially distance
Please be aware that the opening 30 minutes on some days may mean a queue.
Tickets: In general, tickets will be for the whole day, but we may introduce timed tickets for special days etc
Pre booked tickets and members will be able to have their tickets ‘scanned’ either at the entrance gates or at the steps of the visitor centre. This means we will be almost totally ‘contactless’.
Please help yourself to a map and examples of trails is available from the table .

The Gardens and getting round

All areas of the Garden are open.
There is a one way system out into the wilder area. Go in one way, come out the other.
Narrow pathways are all open, there are reminders for you to wait at one end until the path is clear.
Currently all the benches and tables are open.
Staff will clean these from time to time during the day.
Please be considerate in your usage –  think of people or sit there before and after.

A small team of gardeners have kept the Gardens in remarkable condition over the last 10 weeks. We are exceedingly lucky to have them.
There are weeds, there is long grass.. but the summer bedding is in and the vegetable plot is looking amazing … enjoy

Mud kitchen and play outside.

Currently we have closed the mud kitchen and taken pots away.
We will review all our play areas and equipment and re-instate as much as we can when we feel it’s right. Over the weeks we will also introduce new trails for amusement and learning… In the meantime we hope the little ones will enjoy exploring the area, discovering bugs and wildlife on the ground

Café

The café in the visitor centre is closed and is likely to stay closed all summer.
From now on drinks, snacks, ice cream and our shop goods are available from the Orangery.
In coming weeks we plan to expand our takeaway food and bring back our cream tea in a box … keep a lookout in the enews.

Toilets

For the time being all the toilets are remaining open.
They are deep cleaned regularly and we keep a strict rota for cleaning during out open hours.
Please keep to one person using the building at any one time to avoid congestion.
Liquid soap, paper towels and air dryers are supplied.
Please close the toilet lids before flushing and dispose of any paper towels in the bin immediately.
There is an extra ‘sanitation station’ outside the toilets if you want to wash hands again before or after

Dogs. Picnics and rubbish.

Picnics … please do take advantage of being in the space.
Please can you take your rubbish home! Currently rubbish is not being collected from the site and generally costs us over £1,0000 per year – money we can ill afford at present.
As normal we really welcome your family dog in the Gardens. We know they will be excited to be back, please keep them on a lead though, so that everyone else can relax.
As with picnics – we’d appreciate if you could take your doggy poo bags home

The summer

We are really thrilled to have people in the Gardens again – they are made for sharing.
We aim to keep opening hours, days , activities and maybe even events regular and consistent… but none of us know how things will progress so things will change.
We will keep you up to date as quickly as we can. As member you will be the first to hear about things and we hope to bring you all kinds of socially distanced entertainments and pleasures over the next months.

Please do tell your friends

We all need a safe and beautiful place to remake our relationship with the world, our selves and with nature. Spread the word to friends who need a little healing time.

Thank you #wegrowtogether

Share

Hungry Caterpillar- downloadable activities

Bugs are beautiful…. even before they become butterflies.

Although gardeners aren’t always keen on caterpillars eating their crops, we do love watching the fluttering colour of butterflies in the Gardens.
Eric Carle’s famous book – The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a favourite of ours. Here are some lovely colouring pages and worksheets supplied for free by one of our suppliers (earlyyearsresources.co.uk) all based on that lovely book.

Click on the link to download  Hungry Caterpillar activity sheets
And, you can see and hear the book, read by Eric Carle himself here below. You don’t have to share the experience with a young one…but you can 🙂

 

Share

Unplug and Play

Half Term Family Friendly Activities in the Gardens

Make the most of the warmer weather to get out and about in the open and discover nature.

Self Guided Trails all week 

There’s a caterpillar flower trail for the littl’uns and for everyone, try our ‘invent a plant name‘ to stretch everyone’s creative powers.

3 days of craft activities.

Leaf and plant printing.
Make your own pictures, bunting or gift tags with collected leaves and flowers.
We’ll use 2 techniques. One with paint and one with a hammer (Hapa zome).
suitable for all ages (with adult supervision
12- 3pm, £2 per person (including garden entry).

FREE for Family Friendly Activities Annual Pass holders

Tuesday 28th May
Wednesday 29th May
Friday 31st May

Don’t forget the Gardens open at 11am – Make a day of it

Share

Sorry – cancelled- back next year-Family Music Workshop

The amazing young performers of the K’antu early music ensemble provice a fun and lively  ‘have a go’  music making workshop this summer afternoon (1pm -2.30pm)…

Watch out: vegetable flutes may be involved :-)))

Later at  3.30pm K’antu will enchant us with a concert of early music  in our 17th century Gardens

Normal entry prices apply

Discounted entry for members

Share
two women serving in the cafe and smiling

Volunteering opportunities

We are an all year round Garden and visitor attraction so, although winter is not usually a time for  picnics, we’re still really busy with open days, planting, catering and looking after group visits, preparing the summer events programme, mending fences, updating our website, welcoming school groups and clearing out our files….

We may be an oasis of green calm in the city but, like the elegant swan, there’s a lot going on under the surface …. and most of it is done by volunteers.

We offer a multitude of opportunities  for all kinds of skill sets, whether you want to improve your CV and gain new skills or meet new people, whether you have limited or lots of time, we welcome everyone.

On the 1st of February, 10am-1pm, we are holding an open morning for potential volunteers where you get a taste of the garden and find out what we are looking for in volunteers and what we can offer you. The garden is rich in history, nature, and culture, and hosts a diverse range of events, including heritage days, concerts and performances, and family friendly activities. There really is something for every interest!

To register interest or for more information please email gen.manager@cbhgt.org.uk or phone 0121 749 4100, or you’re more than welcome just to come on the day!

CBHG has a large car park and is easily accessible by public transport- the X12/X70/94 buses from the centre of town take you almost directly to our door (Southfield Avenue stop)

Share

The magic is starting

Sunday is the first of our four enchanting afternoons in the Gardens

Over the last two days the willow and lighting gnomes … aka artist Sophie Handy and her hardy crew, have been busy making our wionderful garden into an evening delight.

Come along in the afternoon tomorrow, make some easy lanterns form tissue willow and twigs and then …. as the sun goes down, and the light begins to fade…the mushroom village begins to appear. Take you lantern and explore the Garden, follow the paths find the mushroom village… some of them seem to be having a party, others are cosily tucked up…

Wander back have a hot chocolate and toast a marshmallow or two over our firepit and cut back to the the visitor centre via the glowing gnomes and dragonfly.

Join for one or four afternoons of fun… see here for more (4 dates 26 nov, 2nd Dec, 10 dec and 16th Dec

£3 for everyone over 4years old (including crafts and lanterns)

£10 families

Free for Garden members and Family Activity Annual Pass holders.

 

 

Share

Free lantern making workshops

Help make our enchanted mushroom lantern village for christmas in the Gardens.

We’re working with artist Sophie Handy to make 100 little mushroom houses from willow and tissue paper. A great family, club or class event. These workshops are free.

Your creations will go into the Gardens to help make a magical, illuminated woodland walk ready for our weekends before christmas 

and the big Community Lantern Parade. ‘Mushroom makers’ who help on these days will get free refreshments on the day and, as a thank you, a token for free hot chocolate and marshmallows in our Community Lantern Parade on 16th Dec.

It takes about 2-3 hours to make the lanterns, and its probably best for children over 7 years old.

November 10th (12-5pm) and Saturday 11th (10- 4pm)

Pop in on the days .. or contact us here for more info

SEE here for details of the events lantern parades, woodland walks and entertainment

Share