In January and February snowdrops and wild cyclamen are the first to be seen.Also during this time the Big School Bird Watch takes place in conjunction with the West Midland Bird Club and the Wyre Forest County Council Sustainability Officer. Contact 01562 820505 for more information.
Jewellery Basics Workshop with Vanessa
Sunday 24th February 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make simple but elegant fashion jewellery. Learn how to form a centred loop to make earrings, and attach a clasp to beading wire in a neat and professional manner. Price £40, includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Jewellery Introduction to Wirework Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 17th March 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make elegant wirework jewellery. Price £40,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Spring (March to April)
In early spring acres of daffodils and later primroses, bluebells and foxgloves line many of the woodland walks and plantations.
Beautiful blossom adorns a variety of trees spread out all over the Arboretum, such as Magnolias, Cherries, Crab Apple and the Jargonelle Pear trees in the Conservation hedge that line part of the mile long drive.
This is the lambing and calving season and the new borns can be seen in the barns and fields on the farm. A little later come the new chicks hatching from the farmyard poultry.
'The BodenGomes' Book Launch.
Easter Monday April 1st
The' BodenGnome Gnome Hunt' will once again return to the Arboretum during the Summer holidays in June. However, Easter Monday April 1st, will see the launch of 'The BodenGnomes' booklet. This is an amusing little story written by our own BodenGnome Ranger, Davy. The booklet tells how the BodenGnomes came to live in the Arboretum and we think children and grown ups alike will enjoy the tale and reading the 'BodenGnomes' adventures. A percentage of book sales will go to BBC's Children in Need appeal at the end of the season. One of 'Boders' friends will be hiding on the day to give visitors a chance to test their Gnome Hunting skills ready for the big Summer Gnome Hunt....make a date in in your diaries!
Plant Fair
Saturday 13th April 2013
Plant Fair from 11am to 5pm Free entry to the fair,
lakeside restaurant and shop.
The best nurseries from near and far bringing a great selection of interesting, unusual, beautiful and always top quality plants.
Normal charges apply for entrance to the Arboretum.
Pencil and Watercolour Workshop
Monday 8th April - now fully booked,
taking bookings for the 15th April
Twice a year local artist Daphne Millington holds a Pencil and Watercolour Workshop for people of all abilities from beginners to the experienced.
It is held in the Visitor Centre and costs £28.50
which includes morning coffee, a hot carvery lunch and a choice of dessert followed by tea or coffee. Afternoon tea is served with freshly made scones, jam and cream. There is another Pencil and Watercolour Workshop in November.
8th April is now fully booked so an additional workshop has been arranged for 15th April, bookings are now being taken.
Jewellery Beadwork Basics Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 21st April 2013
This full day course will teach you basic peyote beadwork and show you how this technique can be developed into intricate beadwork jewellery. Price £40,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Easter Tuesday
The organizers of the Easter Tuesday Cancer Charity Walk are taking a break this year, but plan to be back next year (2014) with a bigger and better 5th year Anniversary Walk here at Bodenham
Carpets of Bluebells (April to May)
The humble bluebell reaches full blossom in April and May and the wooded areas become a carpet of blue under the canopies of trees,
a view not to be missed.
Laburnum Tunnel (May onwards)
The spectacular Laburnum Tunnel is in full bloom from May onwards and together with the Azaleas, Rhododendrons and flowering trees are a delight in late spring.
Happy Birthday Bodenham
Wednesday May 15th
Bodenham Arboretum opened to the public on May 14th 1998. Our first open day of the week closest to our 15th Birthday this year will be Wednesday 15th May, when our own Davy T, Bodenham employee and part-time artist, will be demonstrating the wet on wet oil painting technique for visitors to the Arboretum Visitor Centre on that day. Come along and see how easy it can be to paint your own ‘work of art
Tiaras without Tantrums
with Vanessa
Sunday 19th May 2013
This full day course will teach you how to make beaded tiaras for proms and bridal wear. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Sunday 9th June
The Renegade Mini Fun Club The Renegade Mini Fun Club
will be displaying modern and classic mini cars
in the Arboretum grounds 11 am. until 4pm.
Normal entrance prices apply'
The BodenGnome Gnome Hunt
June 1st - September 1st This summer the ‘BodenGnomes’ will return for the whole of the Summer holidays to enable children of ‘all’ ages visiting Bodenham to join in the fun and search for the hidden Gnomes around the Arboretum. Details and a map of the route can be found at the Visitor Centre. There will be a prize draw for all entries. Normal entry charges apply and donations can be made to support this years ‘Children in Need’ appeal.
Summer (June to Mid September)
Everything is green and lush, making this a lovely time to visit.
Taking long tranquil walks in the warmth and sunshine, sit and rest at the many seats to enjoy the breathtaking views.
Jewellery Basics Workshop with Vanessa
Sunday 23rd June 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make simple but elegant jewellery. Learn how to form a centred loop to make earrings, and attach a clasp to beading wire in a neat and professional manner. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Droitwich Spa Model Boat Club
30th June 2013
10am to 4pm
Come along and see the model boats in action, on display will be scale models of yachts, lifeboats, tug boats, naval craft, working boats, pleasure boats and even hovercraft.
Alveley Village Band
Saturday 6th July 2013
Following the success of last year’s Jubilee Concert, Alveley Village Band conducted by Iain Masson are delighted to return to Bodenham to present their Summer Concert -
A Midsummer Musical Extravaganza
Date – Saturday 6th July 2013
Time – 7pm (Gates open 6pm).
Bring a picnic and seats and let us entertain you with a completely new programme of popular music and family favourites. Fingers crossed for a warm, summer evening! (Wet weather provision if necessary).
Tickets - £5 Adults, £2 Children, £12 Family. Available from Bodenham Arboretum and Alveley Post Office.
Meet the Vikings
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st July 2013
Meet the Vikings of Svartland Living History Society
at Bodenham Arboretum.
From 11am to 5pm with Authentic encampment, crafts
and storytelling.
Combat demonstrations at 12pm and 3pm.
Normal entrance charges apply.
Jewellery Introduction to Wirework Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 21st July 2013
This full day course will teach you wirework techniques to develop into simple but elegant jewellery. Price £40,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Jewellery Venetian Flower Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 18th August 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make beaded wire flowers and leaves, to add into arrangements, centre pieces or bridal wear. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Plant Fair
Saturday 31st August 2013
Plant Fair from 11am to 5pm Free entry to the fair,
lakeside restaurant and shop.
The best nurseries from near and far bringing a great selection of interesting, unusual, beautiful and always top quality plants.
Normal charges apply for entrance to the Arboretum.
Jewellery Chainmaille Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 22nd September 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make chainmaille jewellery. Price £44,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Autumn Colours (Mid September to Mid November)
Autumn leaf colour develops at the end of the annual growth cycle, prior to leaf fall. The colour is good when plentiful sunshine is followed by an early frost.
Hundreds of trees put on an autumn display that is perhaps the most spectacular in the area. The Acers will go from bright yellow to vibrant oranges and reds. Scarlet Oaks will, as their name suggests fill the woods with sweeps of vibrant red, even Magnolia with its bright red seed pods add to the spectacle.
We are open every day in October so our visitors can take full advantage of this wonderful season.
Jewellery Basics Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 20th October 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make simple but elegant jewellery. Perfect for Christmas presents. Learn how to make a beaded bracelet and earrings. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Pencil and Watercolour Workshop
November 4th 2013 - Book now
Local artist Daphne Millington holds her Autumn Pencil and Watercolour Workshop for people of all abilities from beginners to the experienced. It is held in the Visitor Centre and costs £28.50 which includes morning coffee, a hot carvery lunch and a choice of dessert followed by tea or coffee. Afternoon tea is served with freshly made scones, jam and cream. Bookings are now being taken.
Jewellery Beaded Baubles Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 17th November 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make simple beaded Christmas tree baubles. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Winter (Mid November to the end of February)
This can be a magical time to see the Arboretum with the trees covered in a sprinkling of snow or frost. A winter walk will help you stay healthy at a time when the landscape is pared down to its beautiful bones.
After your walk warm up with a cup of tea or coffee in the Visitor Centre.
Jewellery Beaded Decorations Workshop
with Vanessa
Sunday 1st December 2013
This full day course will teach you how to design and make beaded Christmas decorations. Beaded wire flowers and leaves, icicles and bells. Price £45,includes all materials, refreshments, luxury buffet plate and cake [from the restaurant], held in Vanessa's cabin on the Arboretum grounds.
Christmas Nativity Trail
Saturday 23rd November to Wednesday 1st January
The Nativity trail runs all day from Saturday November 23rd to Wednesday January 1st open every day except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Entrance to the Arboretum including the Nativity Trail is
£5.50 per adult and £3.50 per child.
It begins at the visitor centre where you purchase a ticket and collect, if you wish, a Christmas quiz sheet.
A trail is made around the Arboretum from "stars" located on the trees and a Christmas quiz question is below each star.
The trail is followed around the Big Pool to the old farm buildings where life size wooden characters are set in the Nativity story.
What brings it literally to life are the starring roles of Bodenham's animal friends - our donkeys, sheep, cattle, poultry and turkeys.
The trail is a quarter of a mile long with benches along the way. It ends back at the Visitor Centre where you can post your Christmas Quiz sheet.
Each answer sheet is checked and prizes are awarded to the winners.
Back in the Visitors Centre you can enjoy the Christmas spirit with a traditional Christmas menu, natural handmade decorations and a "Mother Christmas" grotto for the children.
The grotto is only open at weekends or by arrangement for groups, £3.50 per child which includes a Christmas gift.
Christmas Lunches
from Monday 2nd December
to Thursday 26th December
(Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)
We will be open and serving our regular full carvery menu between 27th December to 1st January
Christmas Evenings
On Thursday 5th & 12th of December we will be serving a Christmas Evening menu. Any size group is welcome, booking is essential, please call for availability and a booking form.
