Activities, events and volunteering opportunities at Boston Manor Park
Winter 2023/24 Events (Dec, Jan and Feb) in Boston Manor Park
Please note more events may be added. To receive an updated monthly newsletter please join our mailing list by emailing bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk
Markets in the park!
NEW Boston Manor Park’s Arts and Crafts Market, Sat 25 November, 11am-5pm: Under the M4 flyover, local artists will be selling their beautiful crafts.
Free Trees for Hounslow residents (and schools, faith/community groups), Sun 14 Jan, 10am-1:30pm: ONLY residents who have reserved their free tree for BMP pick up (location 2) can come and collect under the M4 flyover. To apply for your tree please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/free-trees.
Toddler activities:
Toddler Woodland Adventure Club, Mondays 15,22,29 Jan and 5 Feb, 10:30am-11:45am:
Come and explore the park habitats and wildlife with Tash. Sheltered/indoor spaces available and activities will take place both inside and outside. Meet by Hub. £20 per child over 2yrs (accompanying younger siblings are free) for 4 sessions. Limited numbers. Please email bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk to book on to the club (payment is for 4 sessions in advance).
Nature, Wellbeing and Art activities (ALL FREE):
Monthly Bird Walk and Survey, Sat 2 Dec and 27 Jan, 8:30am-10am: Meet on the lake platform. Take a leisurely walk around the park to record numbers and species of birds in the park. No experience necessary but bring binoculars if you have them.
NEW BMP orienteering courses, Thurs 21 Dec, 11am-12pm: Can you find all the markers (‘controls’) hidden around the park and claim your reward? Suitable for all ages and family groups, meet in front of House cafe to receive paper copies of trails (short, medium and long trails available) and claim your rewards after completing the course!
ECO Christmas decoration making, Fri 22 Dec, 1pm-2:30pm: Come and make some ‘green’ decorations using recycled or park materials. All ages welcome. Meet at Hub.
Help our Boston Manor Park Bugs! Sat 13 Jan, 1:30pm-3pm: Discover Hounslow’s bugs with local young naturalist Rowan Watkins and fill our walled garden bug homes with places for them to hide. A range of fascinating big and small bugs (dead and alive!) available to observe. Aimed at children aged 5 yrs up. Meet by walled garden/service yard.
Introduction to the Park’s veteran trees, Sun 28 Jan, 10:30am-11:30am: Meet by the picnic tables on the lawn in front of the House for a tour with the park manager Vanessa. Learn about some of our historic trees, how to identify them in winter, how to age trees and which ones are poisonous.
Discover the Park’s secret (mosaic) birds, Sat 27 Jan, 2pm-3pm: Meet outside walled garden and come on a guided walk with Tash through our woodlands and wetlands. See if you can spot our newest avian residents - learn about different species of birds in Boston Manor Park and how it changes over the year. Suitable for all ages.
Wildlife photography workshop for children with young Ealing Wildlife Group photographers, Sun 14 Jan, 11am-12pm: Come and pick up some tips from budding young wildlife photographers. Meet outside walled garden/service yard at 11am- no booking required and aimed at older children and teenagers. (Bring a phone with a camera or a camera if you have them.)
Fabric of Hounslow project with Susie John, Sat 3 Feb, 10am-12pm, in workshop (meet outside service yard): Take part in a live fabric workshop with local artist, Susie John, creating a Hounslow celebration fabric wall display. Basic materials provided but do bring any fabrics/jewellery/decorations you want to jazz up your creation- individual pieces will be joined together and the final piece will be displayed in Boston Manor Park.
Fitness Activities:
Basketball taster sessions with SUPA, 22 Dec, 10am-12pm, meet near basketball courts: Mario from local basketball club SUPA will be running drop in taster sessions (10-11am: 5-12yos, 11-12pm: 13-17 yos) (£3 per participant).
Fitness Fun with Jenny, EVERY Tuesday until 12 Dec, then from 16 Jan onwards 11am-11.45am: Low impact outdoors exercise class in walled garden for adults of all ages and fitness levels. Indoor option available if necessary. High impact options also given. Meet outside Hub. Bring water and a mat if you have one. (£3 per participant).
Family Fun Run around the park, Sat 10 Feb, 11am: come for a gentle guided jog around the park with your family, all ages welcome. Starts at Hub (FREE)
Yoga for children with Samm from Nature’s Earth, Sat 10 Feb, 10am-10.40am, in Hub: Children aged 6yrs up are very welcome to come and try out Yoga specifically aimed at children. Bring a mat if you have one. Starts promptly at 10am (£3 per child. Accompanying adults FREE)
Pilates with Michelle Kyles, Wed 17 Jan, 11am (FREE) then 21, 28 Feb and 6,13 March 11-12pm: Meet at Hub, bring a mat if you have one. Indoor and outdoor class so dress warmly. (£6 per class or payment in advance for 4 classes £20- cash only please.)
BMP Activity Trail 2 - Get to know the park!: You can pick up a free hard copy of the trails from the park staff, the Potting Shed café or Boston Manor House. For downloads, see www.ealingparks.foundation/nature-trails
February Half Term Holiday Club and SEND play session:
Holiday Club (6-12 year olds) with Tash, Mon 12 and Tues 13 Feb, 9am-1pm: Email bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk to book a place (limited numbers). Club places get booked very quickly. Children can expect fun outdoor and indoor physical, forest school, nature based and crafty activities. All park facilities will be available (including table tennis and basketball). Food not included. £30 per child per day (or £50 for two days). Payment in advance and completion of registration form is required to secure a place.
Play session for SEND children and young adults, Mon 12 Feb, 2pm-3pm: The play area will be available exclusively to SEND children and young adults (up to 25 yrs) during this hour. Parents with SEND children are encouraged to visit during this time. Park staff will be available, and indoor facilities will be open as safe breakout spaces (education room and accessible toilet). Other park users are asked to be understanding and welcoming.
Free Gardening and Conservation activities:
Saturday Gardening and Conservation Session, Sat 27 Jan, 10.30am-12.30pm: Meet outside the Service Yard/ Walled Garden. Join Vanessa and carry out a variety of gardening and conservation tasks around the park. Call Vanessa if you can’t find the team; 07816 067883.
Weekly Gardening and Conservation Sessions, every Tuesday, 10am-12.30pm: Meet outside the Service Yard/ Walled Garden. Join Vanessa and carry out a variety of gardening and conservation tasks around the park.
Youth Volunteering (14 yrs up), Saturdays 2 Dec 1.30pm-3.30pm, 13, 27 Jan and 10 Feb 10.30am-12.30pm, and Sunday 14 Jan 10am-1.30pm (to assist with park event): Volunteering specifically for young people (14–18-year-olds) with regular sessions for teenagers looking to meet the D of E award 'Volunteering' requirement and all teenagers wanting to volunteer. Meet promptly by the park Hub. Activities could include conservation, gardening and helping run family events/holiday clubs (at other times). Email Tash in advance if you are interested at bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk .
Corporate volunteering: we’d love to host your team!
We offer bespoke opportunities for teams to spend a day in the park, working on fun conservation projects. The day can also include a range of activities such as guided foraging/wildlife walks around the park. Lunch options available from our café and indoor spaces accessible to store personal items and take a break. A donation may be required per participant towards purchasing park resources. To discuss options, email bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk
Park Hub:
Our new café The Potting Shed is now open 7 days a week, 9-5pm until mid Nov. Food 9-3pm. Opening hours will vary as we move into winter. Watch out for their events too!
Boston Manor House:
The House is free to visit and open Tuesday-Sunday 12-5pm and Bank Holidays. Lots going on over the next month, including theatrical performances in the restored House.
Performances of A Christmas Carol Radio Play at Boston Manor House (24 in total between 5 December-24 December) - https://theartscentre.co.uk/tickets
See https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/christmas-2023-at-boston-manor-house-2806469 for details about their Christmas Events and workshops (heritage talks, wreath making, late opening etc)
Do you work in a school or know any teachers?
Please let us know and we can email you our School Workshops programme and give you information about our specific SEND school workshops/work experience programme.
Events and activities
Boston Manor Park offers an exciting range of events and activities for all the family. Covering a wide variety of subjects and themes, whether you’re interested in exploring nature, creativity, fitness, wellbeing, arts, and much more, come on down to Brentford’s green gem this summer.
You can receive monthly events updates by emailing us at bostonmanorpark@hounslow.gov.uk – or visit our events page for a full itinerary.
Facebook page: @BMPoutdoorevents
Natural Park Manager: Vanessa Hampton via email BostonManorPark@hounslow.gov.uk 07816 067883.
