On another scorching heatwave morning, I walked one mile out of Birmingham city centre to spend time among beautiful plant life: palms and tree ferns, The Dutchman’s Pipe, Prickly Pear and Elephant’s Foot Yam. These are among thousands of species growing at Birmingham Botanical Gardens, which offers a brilliant day (or evening) out for all ages.
Open to the public since 1832, the gardens were originally intended to provide a peaceful and aesthetic escape from the effects of the industrial revolution, as well as a place for botanical study. Today, the green space remains largely unchanged, although repairs and restoration are urgently needed on the historic glasshouses and wider infrastructure.
Thankfully, a vital and generous grant of £9.075 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund will go towards Growing Our Green Heritage, a landmark project to save the gardens for future generations. Taking a sustainable approach, visitor amenities will be modernised and expanded using natural materials, inviting public audiences to access horticulture, heritage and education.
There are huge benefits to spending time in nature, which is linked to lowering stress and boosting mood. I always feel rejuvenated after an hour or so in the gardens, particularly on a hot day. As global temperatures rise, Birmingham’s uniquely beautiful green space will become increasingly more important for city-dwellers who seek shade, rest and recreation.
When I spoke with Chief Executive Sara Blair-Manning, she explained, “Our aim is to widen access to the city’s back garden, which should retain a certain Birmingham quirkiness. We are taking a creative, people-centred approach for our super diverse city.”
This is already apparent: the Gardens team has begun reactivating the space with a lively seasonal programme of cultural and family-friendly happenings, from film screenings to outdoor theatre. Over the next few summer months, Birmingham Botanical Gardens is offering something special, particularly for art and culture lovers like me.
One date already in my diary is 2nd August, when Birmingham Artisan Markets will be setting up more than 70 stalls their second seasonal takeover with the Gardens after a sell-out first event in April. For a reduced entry ticket price of £5, and within extended opening hours of 10am-8pm, you can meet local artists and craftspeople who will be selling handmade treasures, unique artworks, jewellery, natural skincare products. Adding to the atmosphere, will be live DJs, plus gourmet food and drink stalls.
I’m also excited by this season’s open air music, cinema and theatre programme. Taking to the iconic bandstand, musicians and singers will perform on the second and fourth Sunday of each month. Included with the price of an entry ticket, this live music programme has been developed to complement the space, and includes the likes of Black Country Brass, the CBSO and Big Bear Music who will be bringing blues, jazz and classical soundtracks to the gardens.
Thanks to a partnership with Flatpack and Mockingbird Cinema, film screenings will include Moonrise Kingdom, The Goonies and The Lost Boys. Each feature will be accompanied by pre-show live performances on the lawn, local street food and a Gardens Bar in the new seasonal stretch tent, to create an immersive experience in the atmospheric setting.
For theatre lovers, the gardens will become a stage for Shakespeare’s Macbeth and the family-friendly classic, The Wind in the Willows.
Another highlight of the summer is Cirque du Pollinate, one giant summer garden party for all ages, taking place all day long on the 7th, 8th and 9th August. Presented by OPUS and House of MASH, this event will bring bee-themed circus shows, colourful characters on stilts, interactive performances, giant-sized games and more to the gardens.
The wider family-friendly offer has a focus on the brilliant life of bees, with a brand new and interactive Pollinator Trail, and a new Family Wednesdays programme during the summer holidays featuring Animal Handling, Family Crafts, and Pond dipping. Artworks made during these creative sessions can either be taken away or exhibited in a display for Queen Bumblebee’s visit during Cirque du Pollinate.
For little explorers, there’s a Gardens Art Club and newly installed Mud Kitchen, where children can make up messy new recipes with natural ingredients. For older horticulturists, there are guided walks and tours, and upcoming National Bonsai Collection Open Days, all on Birmingham’s doorstep.
Within the packed programme, there is also space to simply relax. Wellbeing sessions include Gardens Yoga with I AM YOGI every Saturday or you can bring a sketchbook to the gardens, drawing seasonal flowers, which have inspired local artist, Marnie Maurri, to decorate Floradorable, who stands at the entrance, belonging to Birmingham’s Bulls in the City Trail.
Chris Maher, who is Head of Commercial, has explained the team’s aim to connect the gardens to the city: “by developing local, place-specific partnerships, we want to make sure audiences experience something different every time they visit, whether that’s music, art, food or drink, with the recently opened Medicine Bakery which is proving popular. It’s about giving people an excuse to visit the gardens again and again”.
I, for one, need no persuading. Without a garden of my own, I value and appreciate this green space, which keeps on growing. I look forward to spending many more days, and evenings, at Birmingham Botanical Gardens during the summer months, and beyond.
Entry prices start from £6, and an annual membership from just £35, which admits the cardholder plus one guest throughout the year to Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
To book tickets and events, please visit birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/
