Bedgebury National Pinetum & Forest offers a rich and varied programme of special events.
The list below shows the events planned for 2010. All events need to be booked and charges vary. The normal £7.50 car parking fee applies. The list of events below changes periodically - please keep referring to the website for more detailed information:
The Winter Guide, containing the Winter Trail and latest Bedgebury news, is now available from the Visitor Information Office.
Bedgebury Events 2010
Live Entertainment
Bedgebury Concerts
Keane (now sold out) & Simply Red to star at Bedgebury
Friday 11th & Saturday 12th June 2010. Ticket sales.
Great Expectations
Tuesday 17th August.
A Quantum Theatre Production in Bedgebury's Walled Garden. Shows start at 11am and 3pm. Tickets priced at £7 (children) and £12 (adults) available soon through the Forestry Commission Box Office on 01842 814612 or from Bedgebury Visitor Centre.
Family Events
PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL (unless otherwise stated). Pre-book your place to get a free parking voucher for the day of the event. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Please contact Visitor Services on 01580 879820 or call in at the Information Office. Price £6 per young person, except where stated.
Outdoor Play Weekend
Saturday 20th & Sunday 21st March
Children of all ages can come and join the fun, which will include den building, guided nature trails and cycling. Families are welcome to come along between 10am and 4pm, meet at the Pineatery Cafe and sign up to one of the activities. Advance booking is not required.
Get an Easter Spring
Wednesday 7th April
11.00am – 1.00pm All ages. £3 per young person
Come to this drop-in Easter Event in the Education room. Hunt the Easter Bunny and make a chick card to take home. Families can follow a self-guiding trail to find the Easter Bunny, then back in the classroom, make a card to take home. Booking is not required for this event.
Welcome the Summer
Saturday 1st May
10.00am – 12.00. Ages 5+ years.
This Green Man event includes a walk through the Pinetum with its many shades of green which will introduce you to some of our fantastic trees, many of which are special in their native lands. We will collect foliage to decorate your own ‘Green Man’ mask. For many years, people have been dressing up in green to welcome the summer. Come dressed up as a green girl or boy - there will be a small prize for the ‘best dressed’ boy and girl.
Wild Life Safari
Wednesday 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th August.
10.00am – 12.00 noon ages 5+ years
Bedgebury’s Pinetum and forest provides a haven for many wild animals. A mini-beast hunt will introduce us to some of the smaller inhabitants, and we will look for evidence of other inhabitants as we walk in the area around the Walled Garden. The morning will finish with the children making a beautiful dragonfly to take home.
Family Map Challenge
Thursday 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th August.
10.00am – 12.00 noon. Ages 7+ years
An exciting way to experience Bedgbury’s Pinetum. Come and pit yourselves against the clock to find our markers hidden around the site. Families or friendship groups will find their own way around with the help of a special map. A basic briefing will make sure you don’t get lost. These events will be held in the Walled Garden, where cars can also be parked. A member of staff will wait at the gate to let you in.
Great Expectations
Tuesday 17th August.
Quantum Theatre brings the Dickens family classic to life in Bedgebury's Walled Garden. Shows start at 11am and 3pm. Tickets priced at £7 (children) and £12 (adults) available soon through the Forestry Commission Box Office on 01842 814612 or from Bedgebury Visitor Centre.
Seed Gathering Sunday
Sunday 26th September
10.00am – 12.00 noon. Ages 5+ years
This guided walk looks at a variety of trees, their seeds & methods of seed dispersal.
It will be followed by a practical session potting up a variety of tree seeds collected in the Pinetum, for you to take home so you can try and grow your own trees. This event coincides with the Tree Council’s Seed Gathering Season and will be held in the Bedgebury classroom.
The Big Draw
Tuesday 26th October
11.00am – 4.00pm All ages
The Big Draw is the UK’s biggest art event with over a million people getting back to the drawing board. Come to our drop-in, all-day event and be a part of decorating our classroom for the coming year. A chance to get in touch with natural art, you'll be able to gather leaves and make an animal hotel to take home with you, as this is also National Homes for Animals week. Cost £1 per participant. Booking is not required for this event, which will be held in the classroom. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Feed the Birds
Thursday 28th October.
10.00am – 12.00 noon. Ages 5+ years
This autumn bird event, timed to coincide with National Homes for Animals Week, provides an opportunity for a short bird watching walk. You will find out how to look after birds in your garden throughout the winter and get your hands messy as you make your own bird feeder to take home. This event will be held in the classroom.
Active Events
Bike Demo Day at Bedgebury
Sunday 28th March
An opportunity to test 2010's best new mountain bikes at Bedgebury. Taking part is completely FREE (car parking charges apply) and couldn't be easier; just choose your bikes at www.demodays.bikeradar.com.
Bedgebury Festival of Cycling
Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th July
Marie Curie Great Forest Run
Saturday 11th September
Details on 01883 832665 or www.mariecurie.org.uk/running
GREEN GYM 
BTCV's award-winning Green Gym scheme is now running every Friday morning at Bedgebury from 10.30am – 2.30pm. Volunteers can spend a satisfying session working in the National Pinetum helping to improve the world's best conifer collection. Sessions are free. New volunteers extremely welcome.
Contact Tim Hills on 01424 446395, t.hills@btcv.org.uk or visit
www.btcv.org
HEALTH WALKS
Come along and join our friendly group and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents whilst getting fit. No experience required and you will be encouraged to walk at your own pace. Wheelchair and pushchair friendly. No booking required, please meet at the visitor centre. Please wear s
uitable clothing and footwear.
Beginners Health Walk - Last Friday of each month - 10am
This walk is designed for those people who are not used to walking and would like to start gradually. It is also for those people who would find the moderate walk difficult. Walks last approximately 30 mins to 1 hour and we will cover between 1 and 4 km (0.5 and 2.5miles).
Moderate Health Walks - Every Friday - 10am
This walk is designed for those people who want to walk a little further and at a quick
er pace than the Beginners walk. All walkers are still encouraged to walk at their own pace but we do venture out further into the forest. Walks last approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 mins and we cover between 4 and 6 km (2.5 and 3.7 miles).
For more information please call the Bedgebury Visitor centre on 01580 879820 or email bedgebury@forestry.gsi.gov.uk.
Please Note - For health and safety reasons any large groups wishing to join the Health Walks will need to receive approval 6 weeks prior to the date they would like to attend. We cannot guarantee to be able to provide enough walk leaders to accomodate large groups as leaders give us their time on a voluntary basis.
Go Ape
Take to the trees and experience an exhilarating course of rope bridges, Tarzan Swings and zip slides up to 35 feet above the forest floor. Share approximately three memorable hours of fun and adventure, which you’ll be talking about for days. Minimum age 10 yrs. Mininimum height 1.4m. Under 18s must be accompanied by a participating adult.
Get more information, watch people Go Ape and book online at www.goape.co.uk
