What’s On

SATURDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 12.30PM AND 2PM TO 3.30PM

Who are your favourite story characters? Would it be The Gruffalo or Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh or Matilda Wormwood, Horrid Henry or Paddington Bear? Join us for an exploration into some of the best characters created as we explore how to create a really good character for your own story then design, draw and paint a 3D version of your own for you to take home using mixed media. Participants should bring along a copy of a book with their favourite character in it and lots of creative enthusiasm!

Age guide: 7 to 11 years old

SUNDAY 23RD FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 12PM AND 2PM TO 3PM

Join adventurer, writer and television presenter Will Millard on an immersive exploration beneath the water’s surface.

In this workshop for children, you’ll meet the stunning fish species of Wales, our water insects, jungle frogs, Amazonian catfish and a fair few animal surprises in between. Join Will and learn the difference between frogs and toads, reptiles and amphibians, and help save our freshwater environments.

All ages welcome!

MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 12PM

Explore the magical world of nature’s changing seasons in Let’s Look Through the Window. This engaging workshop includes a reading of the story, where each page reveals the beauty of the seasons through mindful activities and calming techniques.

After the story, children will express their creativity with a four-seasons finger painting activity, designed to foster a sense of mindfulness and focus. To round off the experience, participants will immerse themselves in a relaxing mindfulness colouring session, bringing the peaceful world of the story to life.

Age guide: 3 to 6 years old

MONDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 2PM TO 3PM

Step into the serene mountains of Wales with Let’s Meet Dai the Dragon, a heartwarming mindfulness story that will captivate and calm young minds. During this interactive workshop, children will be guided through a reading of the story, where they’ll meet Dai, the gentle dragon, and learn the art of relaxation through his adventures. Following the reading, participants will engage in calming mindfulness exercises designed to help them breathe deeply and find inner peace. They’ll also enjoy crafting their own “fire dragon breathing” project and colouring a beautifully designed mindfulness sheet and have a chance for photos with Dai the Dragon mascot at the end!

Age guide: 3 to 6 years old

TUESDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 12PM AND 2PM TO 3PM

Join Naz Syed to hear the story ‘Swallow’s Kiss’ and create your very own paper wish bird, just like Blessing. Known as Newport’s ‘Bohemian Mary Poppins’, with her travelling workshops and suitcases spreading creativity and kindness, Naz is Director of Ziba Creative, a socially engaged visual artist and creative consultant. Working with others is a driving force of her practise, connecting people and their stories, wellbeing and building confidence through creativity.

Age guide: 4 to 12 years old

WEDNESDAY 26TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 11.45AM

Join us as we take a stroll through the deep dark wood in search of The Gruffalo. A bilingual session with storytelling, live harp music, dress-up, craft, singing and a chance to explore instruments.

The session is suitable for ages 5 and under, older siblings welcome. 

WEDNESDAY 26TH & THURSDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 10AM TO 11AM AND 2PM TO 3PM

A bird box is a fantastic way to attract birds to your garden, giving them a helping hand by providing them with somewhere to nest, and giving you a special view into the lives of our feathered friends.

Tickets are only needed for participating children, who must be supervised by an adult. All building materials and tools are provided.

FRIDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2025 | 11AM TO 11.30AM AND 2PM TO 2.30PM

Meet Nellie and Nathaniel, intrepid explorers who have travelled around the world collecting story ideas for their Story Generator, out of which a fiesta of tales is playfully spun with words, puppetry and movement.

Watch them crank the starter handle and see the machine conjure up fabulous tales from out of its secret compartments – The Cabinet of Curiosities, The Book of Wishes, and even The Box of Disasters! And through the bedazzling power of the Transmission Helmet, The Story Explorers bring these tales to life for you. With their one-of-a kind Story Generator, The Story Explorers will reveal mysteries beneath your feet, ignite fireworks in your imagination and call out to the brave adventurer in your heart.

There will be a walkabout the park in between the two scheduled shows.

Age guidance: all welcome!

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2025 | 11AM TO 12PM

Inspired by children’s author Tom Percival’s series ‘Big Bright Feelings’, professional artist Alice Marie will lead a hands on creative workshop, allowing children to use a variety of art techniques using paper, pens, paint and collage, after sharing readings of some of the series.

From ‘Perfectly Normal’ to ‘Ruby’s Worry’, children will learn how to identify with characters and share big emotions through art and character illustration, providing them with life long tools and creative skills in this fun and engaging workshop.

Age guidance: 5 – 12 years old

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2025 | 11AM TO 12PM AND 2PM TO 3PM

Explore your imagination with Louby Lou this February half term for some outdoor storytelling fun! Hold onto your porridge bowls because that cheeky Goldilocks is causing chaos around Fairytale Forest, and we need your help to track her down in this exciting storytelling adventure.

This is a magical outdoor trail at Bryngarw Park as part of Bridgend Children’s Literature Festival, so please dress appropriately. Adults must accompany children but tickets are not required for grown ups.

Age guidance: Suitable for ages 3+ but babes in arms welcome

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2025 | 12PM TO 2PM AND 2.30PM TO 4.30PM

Join us at Bryngarw House for afternoon tea prepared by our Head Chef, using only the best Welsh and local produce, including ingredients grown within our own grounds.

Enjoy the soft sounds of harpist, Caroline Greenwood, who will be playing traditional Welsh tunes throughout the afternoon.

SATURDAY 1ST MARCH 2025 | 2PM TO 3PM

Celebrate St David’s Day with award-winning storyteller Tamar Williams for a magical family storytelling session suitable for all ages.

Explore wonderful tales from Wales, including the magic of the fairies, the exploits of kings long gone, and the myths of the monsters and the giants who roamed this land amser maith yn ôl…

Tamar Eluned Williams is an award-winning storyteller who tells stories in Welsh and English. All ages welcome!

SATURDAY 29TH MARCH | 10.30AM TO 12PM

A bug hotel is a fantastic way to attract all kinds of insects and arachnids to your garden, giving them a helping hand by providing them with somewhere to rest and shelter, and giving you a special view into the lives of our bug buddies!

Workshop will include a guided nature walk around the park where you can collect all kinds of materials to fill your very own Bug Hotel. Please bring a bag to collect your foraged material.

SATURDAY 29TH MARCH | 12PM TO 2PM AND 2.30PM TO 4.30PM

Treat a special lady in your life on Mother’s Day weekend, with a delectable Afternoon Tea at Bryngarw House.

Bookings include a glass of fizz (or a non-alcoholic alternative), one pot of tea or coffee, and afternoon tea.

SUNDAY 30TH MARCH | 1PM 

Celebrate a special lady in your life this Mother’s Day with a delectable three-course Sunday lunch at Bryngarw House.

Whether it’s your Mam, Mum, Nana, Auntie or Sister, it’s a day to come together with loved ones and celebrate motherly love!

Please note: This event is being sold in exclusive tables of 10 or individual tickets on a shared table.

WEDNESDAY 9TH APRIL | 10AM TO 11.30AM

Learn how to become a Citizen Scientist with Ranger Carys.

Workshop includes a presentation in Y Nyth, followed by a guided walk around Bryngarw Country Park to record species using the LERC Wales App.

Suitable for ages 16+. It is recommended that you have a smart phone for this workshop.

WEDNESDAY 16TH APRIL | 10AM TO 12PM

Join the Ranger Team in Y Nyth to explore the mysterious world of moths! See what’s been attracted to our moth trap overnight and enjoy close up encounters with a multitude of species.

This is a DROP-IN event. £4 per child – pay in the café on the day and present ticket to the Rangers in Y Nyth, no pre-booking required.

WEDNESDAY 23RD APRIL | 10AM TO 12PM

Meet in Y Nyth to create your own nature journal with the help of the ranger team.

Draw what you see! What colour beak does that bird have? What shape are the leaves? How many legs does that bug have?

Use nature journaling to figure out what you can see around Bryngarw Country Park. This ranger-led activity will teach you how to identify species of trees, minibeasts and birds.

All materials are provided. Some activities will take place outside so please dress appropriately for the weather.

SUNDAY 7TH SEPTEMBER | 5PM TO 7.20PM

With her tongue firmly in her cheek, Jane Austen tells us “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” Mrs Bennet certainly thinks so.

Following seven sell-out seasons of this sparkling adaptation, award winning Illyria returns to celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday in style. Bring a picnic and enjoy her at her vibrant, forthright, bitchy best!

EVERY TUESDAY (EXCEPT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) | 10AM

EVERY FRIDAY (EXCEPT SCHOOL HOLIDAYS) | 1PM TO 3PM

Awen are working in partnership with Tanio to offer weekly creative arts groups to anyone struggling with loneliness or isolation, living with poor mental or physical health, or who would benefit from seeing a friendly, welcoming face or meeting new people.

The free sessions, funded by Bridgend County Borough Council, offer art, music, movement and creative writing opportunities at Y Nyth, our Education and Wellbeing Centre.