Family fun,

music and activities

EventsSpring 2017

Spring is blossoming in the Botanic Garden!

Enjoy wildflower walks

Get outdoors and enjoy some great events at the beautiful Botanic Garden this spring. To keep up to date with what’s on, visit botanicgarden.wales. There, you can sign up for our newsletter. And don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

All details are correct at time of publishing

good friday 14 april – EaStEr monday 17 aprilThere’s music, magic and meerkats at the Garden this Easter. Also, prepare yourself to be wowed by Meirion Owen’s world-famous Quack Pack and don’t miss the Dyfed Carriage Club’s Easter Bonnet Parade, through the Garden on Easter Monday. Plus fun and games and family activities every day of the school holidays.

1 – 31 marchdaffodil monthIt’s time for a springtime walk among the drifts of daffodils – and we have thousands of them!

Sunday 19 march tywi Valley Vintage club ‘crank-up’The members of this local vintage vehicle club meet up for their annual ‘crank-up’ event with a marvellous display of all sorts of vehicles. Sunday 26 march mothers’ dayMums go FREE on this special day – and there’s lots of pampering treats for mothers at our craft and food fair plus falconry, Fiddlebox, harpist Shelley Fairplay, magic tricks and juggling to enjoy.

Saturday 1 april adwaithBrilliant up-and-coming Welsh language four-piece Carmarthen-based band.1pm-3pm

Sunday 2 april tenovus 10kThe Tenovus Cancer Care 10k is now in its 5th year. With steady inclines and mixed terrain – one of the most beautiful and enjoyable 10k races in Wales.

march – a month of muSicThere’s a Month of Music in March with choirs, bands and other performers in action in the Great Glasshouse EVERY weekend throughout the month.

WEdnESday 1 march St david’s day FREE entry for all in celebration of our patron saint.

Carmarthen Ukuleles

Caroline Harrision

Constellation Big Band

doggy daysBring your pet pooch to the Garden for a fabulous walk on the following dates:6, 11, 12,13, 20, 27 march; 3, 8, 9, 10, 17, 24 april;1, 6, 7 may; 3, 4, 5, 12, 19, 26 junE

9, 14, 15, 16, 29, 30 april;1, 20, 29 may; 18 junE jugglestruckCome and see Folly Farm’s favourite magician and juggler Luke Jugglestruck in action in the Theatr Botanica.

13, 14, 17, 18 april; 1 maymeet a meerkatOooh, Look!! The meerkats are back. Tropical Inc return to the Garden with their stunning and exotic menagerie.

Welly WednesdayAn hour of fun, outdoor activities for pre-schoolers and their grown-ups!1, 8, 15, 22, 29 march; 5, 26 april; 3, 10, 17, 24 may;7, 14, 21, junEFrom 11am to 12noon

Mums go

FREE!!@walesbotanic

National Botanic Garden of WalesCarmarthenshire SA32 8HNApril - Oct: 10am - 6pmNov - March: 10am - 4.30pmbotanicgarden.wales01558 667149

ALL these events are free with

Garden admission (unless stated)

Easter holidays at the garden

may day Bank holiday Weekend

Spring half term

Sat 22 - Sun 23 april Spring antiques Show More than 100 stalls of amazing collectibles and curios – plus a special vintage market. Watch out for the BBC’s Bargain Hunt team who will be back in the Garden filming this weekend.

fri 12 – Sat 13 may annual plant SaleGreat chance to bag a botanic bargain at the biggest plant sale around.

SundayS 23 & 30 april;7 may; 11 & 18 junEWoodland Wildflower Walks with michael isaacMeet at Western Entrance of the Great Glasshouse. 2pm start, except 18 June:1.30pm start (stout footwear).

Saturday 13 may members’ day The annual Garden party for our 7,000 members. Make sure you make a date for talks, walks, presentations and access to all areas plus a chance to find out more about what is being planned for the Garden, meet the trustees and have your say in the Director’s Q&A.

Sat 29 april – mon 1 may Highlights include zorbing, the hay-bale maze and our fab play park – including trampoline and zip glide. Also giant garden games and family activities, and entertainment from Jugglestruck and Meet a Meerkat.

Saturday 20 may fostering fortnight fun daySpecial day of events put on by Carmarthenshire Council’s fostering team to celebrate fostering fortnight. Fun and games for children and families. 1 – 7 junEVolunteers’ WeekVolunteers bring a friend for free. The perfect opportunity for our hundreds of volunteers to showcase the great work they do and the place they do it in.

Sunday 11 junE alice through the looking glassTaking Flight TheatreThis fun-packed show for families and children is a faithful adaptation that bowls along with plenty of energy, humour, songs and silliness. 2pm Sunday 18 junEfathers’ dayDads go FREE on this, their special day. Visit the Garden for a day of fun and games which will delight Dad. Grandads and Great-Grandads are invited, too!

Sat 27 may – Sun 4 junEThe legend of the lady of the lake is the centre of attention for Spring half-term. Find out all about the dynasty of herbalists known as the Physicians of Myddfai who lived and worked in Carmarthenshire in the 11th and 12th centuries. Some believed they had magical powers. Some people believe Carmarthenshire conjurer Luke Jugglestruck has magical powers. Find out on Bank Holiday Monday. Watch out, too, for Pembrokeshire Falconry.

Dads go

FREE!!

Sunday 25 junE

Wales Wildflower dayA celebration of native wildlfowers and the traditional meadows where they grow and thrive. Get ready for wildflower walks, talks and floral arts and craft.

Saturday 24 junEmidsummer concertFittingly for 2017, this year’s Symphonica Tywi concert will be Legendary with the orchestra focusing on music legends and legendary music. The music plays from 7.30 until dusk. Tickets £12 (members £10)

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Call 01558 667150 to book. Visit botanicgarden.wales for more info.

£35/£30 (concessions) except *£75/£70. Details correct at time of publishing.

EXHIBITIONSFrom Another KingdomTake a trip into the amazing world of fungi. Stunning and ground-breaking exhibition in the Great Glasshouse.

Fairy WoodHidden among the trees are remnants of a fairy tea party, a toadstool village and you might even see signs of the pint-sized residents of the wood.

Ghost ForestAs ambitious as it is stunning, Ghost Forest is 10 giant hardwood tree stumps – highlighting the alarming rate of deforestation. The trees have found a new and permanent home here, secured jointly by the National Botanic Garden in partnership with the charity, Size of Wales.

Sun 5 march Art: Drawing & Painting Sat 12 march Willow: Hedgerow baskets Sat 18 - Sun 19 march Stained glass: Leaded panel*Sat 25 march Willow: Random weave bowls & baskets Sat 15 april Willow: Plant supportsSat 22 april Photography: Part 2 Sun 30 april Felting: Nuno felting with wool & fabric Sun 07 may Art: Drawing & Painting Sat 20 may Willow: Small round basket Sat 3 junE Photography: Part 1 Sat 10 junE Willow: Garden trug Sun11 junE Felting: Feltscaping

25 fEB – 18 april Marysia Penn and Karen Wise – Frayed Boundaries Explores the way in which economics and culture have influenced textile art across time, blurring traditional boundaries to create new and exciting forms of visual communication.

22 april – 21 junERobert Davison – Borders Paintings and drawings that spring from Bob’s great interest in nature, science and landscape.

Day Courses