Home of the National Fruit Collections, charity organisation Brogdale Collections in Faversham, Kent, is inviting visitors of all ages to enjoy a wide range of events including tours, courses, and festivals. Visit our Garden for Wildlife, Playground, and World Music Garden or even put yourself forward to volunteer at its beautiful orchards this spring.
Set amongst just over 3,000 varieties of fruit trees and one of the largest fruit collections in the world, Brogdale is the perfect place to take part in an outdoor activity while enjoying and learning about nature.
Spring Blossom Tours – From 1st April
Throughout April and May, join a guided tour around the collections, where you will discover the seasonal highlights and peak blossom areas of the orchards. Visitors can take a guided tour led by an expert, or meander at their own pace on a self-guided walk. With each fruit blossoming with a different variety of flower, this is a beautiful tour and a wonderful photo opportunity!
An Orchard Pass is your entry in but you can use it to come back as any time as you like, all year round – pay once, come back lots!
Info on the Orchard Pass (£6-£45).
Discover Easter at Brogdale – 7th– 9th April
Families can book to take part in this Easter eggstravaganza! Meet baby farm animals, take part in Easter-themed crafts, and follow the Easter trail. You will hunt among the blossoming fruit trees for eggs following a trail map provided. Find the eggs and solve the hidden word quiz along the way. Look out for the Easter Bunny! He will be hopping around spreading Easter cheer! With stalls and Brogdale in bloom to explore, spend the day soaking up the sights of the blossom, playing in the music garden and playground, and discovering wildlife.
Tickets must be booked in advance and are priced at £12.50 for one adult and one child, additional adults £7.50, and additional children £7.50.
Teddy Bears Picnic in Bloom – 11th April
Head out through the orchards with your teddy bears for a cute day out in the blossom. Try and match the different shades of pink blossom, from delicate pastels to vibrant pinks, as you follow the blossom walk. Join us with your Teddys at the picnic area to get crafty with some blossom-themed activities to create and take home with you. Come and listen to Usbourne stories, sing teddy-themed songs, and join us for Teddy Parachuting! Plenty of fun for you and your little ones.
Tickets must be booked in advance and are priced at £5 per child (under 3s free), £8.50 for adults (£7.50 concessions), and £23 for a family (two adults and two children).
Beastie Day at Brogdale – 12th April
Come and join us for a day of mini-beastie fun! A day of exploring Brogdale and discovering fantastic bugs & mini beasts. Hunt for bugs in the orchards, meadow, and wildlife garden, and see where they live in the wild! Book your Live Bug Show time and meet the giant insects & more! Spend the whole day discovering, exploring, and having fun!
Tickets must be booked in advance and are priced at £5 per child (under 3s free), £8.50 for adults (£7.50 concessions), and £23 for a family (two adults and two children).
Courses – various dates
Brogdale runs a range of fun, educational courses, teaching creative skills using the natural resources around us. Choose from willow weaving, wreath-making, foraging, and elderflower cordial making, to name a few.
Here’s what we’ve got on in April.
March 17th & 31st: Foraging Floristry – Wreath-making
NEW! Half-Day Spring Wreath Making Course with Dried Flowers and Foraging Insights.
Join Holly (Flowers by Holly) from 10 am – 2pm on an Orchard walk discovering what wild materials work best before making your own dried flower wreath. Autumn/ Winter Fresh Wreath-making courses also available. Light lunch & refreshments provided.
£60
April 14th & 28th: Foraging walks
Enjoy 3 hours of finding out what’s edible on your doorstep, from plants to fungi, led by expert guide Michael White.
It’s a circular walk from the Plough Inn pub, Lewson Street, Sittingbourne and you can join him in the morning from 10 am – 1 pm or in the afternoon from 2 pm – 5 pm.
The walks are also running in September too.
£45
March 12th & 26th, April 16th & 30th: Working with willow
A day class introduction to working with willow – one of the oldest crafts known. You’ll master the basics, then have the chance to make small baskets.
Dates throughout the year if you can’t make these ones.
£75
Book courses here.
For more information about Brogdale Collections, visit the website www.brogdalecollections.org
