News & Funding

Starting this weekend (Saturday 10 February), we have lots of activities and events, including lambing season and pancake making at Forge Mill Farm, arts and crafts, Valentine's Day specials, and our new event, The Great Big Sandwell Valley Wassail!

See below all our affordable activities and events to fill your half-term! 

Sandwell Valley Visitor Centre

Dreamcatcher and Wind Chime Making
Saturday 10 - Sunday 11 February

Join us for a creative weekend of dreamcatchers and wind chime-making to kick off the half-term! We have all the equipment you'll need, you only need to bring yourself and leave with a beautiful piece of art. 

Nature Crafts 
Monday 12 - Saturday 17 February 

We have a range of natural craft activities from making nature boats and bird feeders to exploding mud paintings and hapa zome. Different crafts are available each day.

Valentine's Day Animal Magic 
Wednesday 14 February 

Are you an animal and insect lover? Join us this Valentine's Day for a twist as we host interactive sessions with spiders, snakes, scorpions, insects, meerkats and birds of prey. 

Jazz in the Jungle - Storytelling and Workshop 
Thursday 15 February 

Join us for a fabulous interactive storytelling session of Jazz in the Jungle, hosted by Spoon in a Jar Production, followed by a fun family workshop based on the monkey in the book. 
 
FREE EVENT - The Big Sandwell Valley Wassail 
Sunday 18 February 

Bring your pots and pans to the very first Sandwell Valley, Wassail! This is an old pagan tradition to bless apple trees with cider and soaked toast treats to tempt the good spirits and drive away the bad spirits. Enjoy pork and apple baps, sausage and apple hot dogs, mulled apple juice and cider from our snack shack and watch as our Morris dancers perform a traditional wassailing dance. If you've never been to one before, now is the time to find out about this great English tradition.

Forge Mill Farm: 

Lambing Week
Saturday 10 - Sunday 18 February 

Meet our new-born lambs and expectant mums this lambing season! This year we have new activities such as Shepherding Graffiti and our Lambing Simulator to test your shepherding skills. Don't forget about Shrove Tuesday! Upgrade your ticket to make your pancakes at the Forge Mill Farm Pancake Factory!

Encounter Lambing Evening
Every Friday and Saturday in February 

Be a shepherd for the night and encounter lambing at this night time visit to the farm and finish up with a rustic alfresco dining experience. Book Now as there are only 25 tickets per night! Suitable for adults and children 10+.

Valentine's Day Special - Encounter Lambing Evening 
Wednesday 14 February 

Forge Mill Farm is hosting a unique evening for two. Enjoy a glass of prosecco by the fire pit before heading out to meet the new born lambs and expectant mums. Then roll up your sleeves for the wood-fired, pizza-making experience, finally finishing up with having a rustic alfresco dining experience before heading home with your hand-crafted pizza creation.

Lightwoods Park & House:

Pirates, Mermaids and Sea Monsters 
Wednesday 14 February 

Come and join Wolf Blackheart for stories, games and activities all about pirates that search the ocean for treasure, stories of savage sea monsters and tales of spell-binding mermaids who are not as friendly as you might think. Suitable for children 6+.