Percy the Park Keeper is in the Gardens…

This October Half Term children visiting Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens will be able to explore the world of the popular children’s book character, Percy the Park Keeper.

Author and illustrator Nick Butterworth’s loveable - and kind - character has been charming children for more than 30 years. The Gardens, in north Solihull, are delighted to be able welcome the character and to launch their ‘Four Seasons with Percy’ alongside the newly published book ‘A Flying Visit’.

During the half term week children and families will be able to follow outdoor ‘Percy trails’ exploring the 10 acre Gardens, listen to story reading, meet Percy, learn about hedgehogs and even send their beloved soft toy down a special Hedgehog Zipline.

Hedgehog zipline!?

Shhh!… Yes, it’s all part of the ‘A Flying Visit’ story. You’ll have to visit to find out what happens to Hedgehog and his friend Carla the Seagull.

Nick Butterworth’s Percy the Park Keeper award winning series of books begun way back in 1989 with ‘One Snowy Night’ and have sold more than 20 million books in over 40 countries. An animated tv series in the 90s, voiced by Jim Broadbent, fixed the heart-warming character and his animal friends into people’s minds for generations.

Castle Bromwich Historic Gardens plan to mark the changing of seasons over the next year with special Percy the Park Keeper trails and activities, each tied in with one of the story books.

General Manager Glynis Powell says:

“Looking after a Garden which has already survived more than 350 years we have always been aware of our responsibilities to the coming generations.

The 40 acres of nature here are surrounded by incredibly industrialised landscapes and we  feel it is important to provide the very young with opportunities to have their first encounters with nature and the wild.”

The Percy the Park Keeper books all feature the daily adventures of Percy and his wild animal friends and it is the character’s concern for, and love of, the natural world which has made the book series very popular and even finds a place on the primary school curriculum.

“Percy’s welcoming and caring personality chimes with the approach we try to have here in the Gardens, so we are really looking forward to a whole year of events and activities with a Percy flavour and hope all our visitors will enjoy the opportunity too.”

“We are an outdoor site which encourages active exploration, but it’s a surprisingly calm place too and we have always supported ‘quiet places’ and created reading nooks. Nick Butterworth’s book illustrations are so beautiful, we hope that Percy’s ‘residency’  in the coming year will inspire even more people to explore the Gardens and reading!”

What’s to come

October half term, Saturday 22^nd to  Sunday 30^th kicks off with the new book ‘A Flying Visit’ with trails, story reading, bookable and free sessions across the week.

The trail stays up after the holiday for a few more weeks until the winter trail, based on ‘One Snowy Night’ arrives in December. As well as the freely accessible trail (Garden entry fees apply) young visitors will be able to book special encounters with the Christmas Elf… who knows all about Percy and his cosy shed.

The year progresses with Spring and Summer trails continuously available with special events and activities during school holiday periods.

The independent charity running the Gardens tries to keep prices affordable for families  with access to the Gardens and the trails for just £2 for children 3 years and over and adult tickets at £5.  Garden Memberships start at £25 and gives 12 months of free or discounted access making regular and repeat visits really easy.

The Gardens open air café – with a special Percy themed kids lunchbox – is free to enter.

For specific times and booking please check the events pages on our website https://www.castlebromwichhallgardens.org.uk/   or

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