Events and Seasons

 

January and February

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.

Snowdrops

Jewellery Workshop with Vanessa
Monday 30th January 2012

Come and enjoy a day at the Arboretum learning the craft of jewellery making. Vanessa will show you how and supply all that you need.
The cost is £32.50 and it begins at 10 o'clock until 4pm. Morning coffee & cake is served, followed by the Bodenham Buffet at lunchtime and in the afternoon fresh scones, jam & cream, all the food made at the Arboretum. The only thing you need to remember are your personal reading glasses.


   

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.

Gazebo
Lambs
 

Beginners Jewellery Workshop
Monday 5th March 2012

Come and enjoy a day at the Arboretum learning the craft of jewellery making. Vanessa will show you how and supply all that you need.
The cost is £32.50 and it begins at 10 o'clock until 4pm. Morning coffee & cake is served, followed by the Bodenham Buffet at lunchtime and in the afternoon fresh scones, jam & cream, all the food made at the Arboretum. The only thing you need to remember are your personal reading glasses.

   

Pencil and Watercolour Workshop April 16th 2012

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 buffet 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.

   

Easter Tuesday

Breast Cancer Charity Walk ( Tuesday 10th April 2012)
Enjoy a 4 mile walk with the family and raise money for this worthwhile cause. Buy a pack for £8.00 includes a t-shirt,
bottle of water donated by Sainsburys.
For further information please telephone Denise 01384 393077.

 

Plant Fair
Saturday 14th April 2012

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.

 

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.

Bluebells

Laburnum Tunnel (May to June)

The spectacular Laburnum Tunnel is in full bloom Late May/ Early June and together with the Azaleas, Rhododendrons and flowering trees are a delight in late spring.

Laburnum Tunnel
Azaleas

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.

Meet the Vikings
Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd July 2012

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.

Plant Fair
Saturday 1st September 2012

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.

 

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.

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.

Christmas Nativity

24th November to 1st January
(Closed 24th & 25th December)
The Nativity trail at Bodenham is something for the whole family to enjoy. After the busy season of the beautiful autumn colours through October and November we begin to prepare for our favorite time of year when the farm and old farm buildings are transformed into the story of the Christmas Nativity.

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. Some of the questions are easy - but some are a little more challenging! This makes it interesting for all the family to participate. 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 and this year 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. The correct answers are put into a draw and prizes are awarded to the winners.

The Bodenham Nativity Trail is open every day until January 1st
(closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)

 

The Visitor Centre and Children's Grotto

Back in the Visitor Centre you can enjoy the Christmas spirit with a traditional Christmas menu, surrounded by modern and natural decorations.
At Christmas the day room becomes a themed "Mother Christmas" grotto for the children. It is open weekends only from Saturday 1st December to Sunday23rd, weekdays by prior arrangement. The cost is £3.50 per child to see Mother Christmas and receive a small gift.

Christmas Nativity
 


 

   

Christmas Lunches
from Saturday 1st December
to Wednesday 26th December
(Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day)

   

We will be open and serving our regular full carvery menu between 27th December to 1st January 2013

   

Christmas Evenings
On Thursday 6th & 13th 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.