Celebrations, Learning, and Community in Nature.
Join us for seasonal celebrations, family adventures, and hands-on learning in the heart of nature.

EVENTS at Highbury Orchard Community

At Highbury Orchard, we believe in the power of community, shared experiences, and connection with nature.

Our calendar is filled with events and activities designed to bring people together, whether to celebrate the seasons, learn new skills, or simply enjoy the beauty of our permaculture and heritage space. With something for everyone, our events are a chance to experience the orchard’s magic in your own way—while supporting our mission of sustainability and community enrichment.

Families and Children Sessions
Woodland Play

EVERY WEDNESDAY
10:30AM – 12PM

These sessions offer a magical blend of early years learning through games, crafts, forest school ethos, and child-led nature play. Little ones can explore, create, and connect with the natural world. Sessions Pay as you feel.
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Home Educators

EVERY WEDNESDAY
1PM – 2.30PM

Tailored specifically for home educating families, these term-time sessions focus on child-led gardening and exciting nature projects. With an emphasis on hands-on participation, which encourages creativity, critical thinking. Pay as you feel.
Find out more
Family Play

2nd Sunday (monthly)
1PM – 2.30PM

These fun, interactive gatherings invite children and families to explore the orchard, build dens, and discover the wonders of nature. Blending play, environmental education, and creative activities, each session sparks curiosity and engages young minds in joyful, hands-on learning.

Find out more
Community Sessions
VOLUNTEer DAY / Gardening

THURSDAY 11AM – 2PM / 2ND SUNDAYS 11AM-2PM

Join us for volunteer days and get hands-on experience in permaculture while making a visible impact. You’ll dig, plant, prune, and learn as you help with gardening and essential orchard maintenance, all in the company of people who share your passion for the environment. No experience is needed—just enthusiasm to learn new skills, contribute to a thriving orchard, and connect with a like-minded community.
Join us for volunteer days and get hands-on experience in permaculture while making a visible impact. You’ll dig, plant, prune, and learn as you help with gardening and essential orchard maintenance, all in the company of people who share your passion for the environment. No experience is needed—just enthusiasm to learn new skills, contribute to a thriving orchard, and connect with a like-minded community.
Find out more

HERitage days / WORKSHOPs

Heritage Days: Step back in time with us to explore the rich history of our site. Stories, guided tours, and interactive exhibitions will deepen your appreciation for the heritage that roots us here.

Heritage Skills Workshops: Learn practical, time-honoured techniques like coppicing, basket weaving, or traditional fruit tree care. These hands-on sessions, led by trained experts, connect the past with the present.

See upcoming events

WelLbeing Sessions

THURSDAY 11AM – 2PM

Highbury Orchard Community is a friendly place where families and volunteers work together, learn new skills, and enjoy nature. We are in partnership with Birmingham City Council to particularly support people on Resettlement Programmes from Syria and Afghanistan.

We are running sessions on Thursdays 11am-2pm. Food is available, we pay transport costs and can arrange transport. We have activities designed to help improve language skills and develop friendships with others

Welcoming Refugees
Schools and Group Sessions
School Visits
Highbury Orchard is delighted to welcome school groups for regular or one-off visits. Our sessions are tailored to inspire students with hands-on activities, from planting seeds to discovering the intricacies of ecosystems. If you’re a teacher looking for an enriching outdoor learning experience, we would love to collaborate.
Contact us
Private Events
At Highbury Orchard, we love collaborating with others to create memorable experiences. Our unique space, along with our equipment and experienced staff, is available for hire. Whether you are looking to host a private celebration, a children’s party, a team-building day, or a bespoke workshop, we’d be delighted to work with you to make your event special.
Contact us

The life-changing benefits of outdoor education

Reduces anxiety and support better mental and physical health and helps reduce stress and foster calm.
Stimulates the senses, broaden learning
experiences and educational styles.
Activities such as scavenger hunts, gardening and play outdoors encourage curiosity and discovery.
These experiences support sensory development and provide a healthy outlet for energy.
Supporting Emotional Regulation and Sensory Processing

Being in nature aids emotional balance and sensory processing through:

Encouraging teamwork and patience with group activities like wildlife spotting. Providing calming, low-stimulation environments that help reduce stress. Benefiting children with sensory sensitivities and adults looking to recharge.

lasting impact
Bringing outdoor learning into daily life helps us reconnect with the natural world and each other. The improvement in mental, emotional, and physical health is felt across all ages—making time in nature a simple but effective way to grow and thrive.

“Woodland play is the highlight of our week, great for all the family.”

Carol H

“We love learning all together, and it’s such a beautiful space to have in a city.”

Steve T

Seasonal Celebrations

Highbury Orchard comes alive throughout the year with special seasonal events for all ages.

Apple Day

Join us in October celebrating the orchard’s bountiful harvest! Apple Day is packed with fun activities, from apple pressing and tasting to crafts for the kids.
Find out more
blossail
Mark the arrival of spring with us as the orchard bursts into bloom. This joyous gathering honours new growth with music, food, and fun outdoor activities.

Wassail

This ancient tradition to bless the orchard in winter brings music, storytelling, and laughter to the cold months. Bring your voice, your spirit, and a mug for some mulled juice!

Find out more

Special Events with local Partners

Highbury Orchard is proud to collaborate with local groups, schools, and stakeholders to host events that enrich our community

Chamberlain highbury trust

 The Chamberlain Highbury Trust was established as an independent charitable trust in 2016 to preserve and restore the house and grounds of Highbury Hall and give them a sustainable future.

As Highbury Orchard sits within the former Chamberlain Estate, lots of their events and activities use Highbury Orchard as a base.

Find out more
kharnival

Kings Heath Action for Refugees are not-for-profit charitable organisations working with local individuals, groups and schools to help refugees. We deliver a range of community fundraising events, and promote awareness, befriending, support and solidarity for refugees and asylum seekers living in Birmingham and the Black Country. Our annual Kharnival happens at Highbury Orchard.

Find out more
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growing up green

We are a group of parents in Kings Heath trying to navigate the joys and challenges of raising environmentally responsible kids. Growing up Green, an annual event bringing families together, in hyper local spaces across Birmingham including a family arts festival in Highbury Orchard.

Find out more

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