In its 25th anniversary year the National Botanic Garden of Wales once again hosted Symphonica Tywi’s midsummer concert on Saturday 21st June. Although I have wanted to attend a concert at the Gardens before, this was my first time but I don’t think it will be the last.
We booked our full price adult tickets online and paid ÂŁ18 each. We did need to show our etickets on entrance to the Gardens, and although we arrived at 7pm we found out later our tickets would have allowed us entry to the Gardens from 3pm.
Buggies were available at the entrance to the Gardens providing visitors with extra mobility needs a welcome lift up to Millenium Square, which is fully accessible to wheelchair users with toilets close by. Caffi Botanica was open throughout the concert with a range of cakes and sandwiches as well as hot and cold drinks however lots of concert goers brought their own picnics.
High temperatures leading up to the concert meant the event was staged outside in the Millenium Square rather than the Glasshouse. I hadn’t factored in this change of venue, although the Gardens did advise this possibility on their website, which was a definite rookie mistake as I didn’t take any warm or waterproof clothing. Although a downpour threatened throughout the first half of the concert our luck held and we stayed dry albeit chilled. Seating was provided, however these were café style chairs and we were glad that we took our more comfortable camping chairs.
Symphonica Tywi formed in 1993 for amateur and professional musicians of all ages to play together as an orchestra. Orchestra members had to cope with their paper scores being blown around in the windy conditions whilst avoiding the swifts who were dive bombing the stage. Conductor Michael Cottam and his orchestra led us through two hours of classic movie soundtracks including Schindler’s List spotlighting a young soloist in the first half. A strong second half performance followed the intermission with a James Bond medley incorporating a cheeky performance of Goldfinger.
Buggies were available at the end of the concert providing a lift back down to the entrance for those who needed it and we were home in Llanelli by 10:20pm.
Whilst this was my first concert it was my 4th visit to the Gardens this year having gone to an antiques fair, a food festival and a repeat ticket visit already. I will definitely look out for more concerts and will hopefully have the opportunity to experience one in the Glasshouse which I am sure is magical.
We bought our tickets online at The National Botanic Garden of Wales.
Top Tips
- Take your own foldable chair if you can.
- Don’t let the weather put you off – be prepared with warm and waterproof layers.
- General entry Garden tickets, not the concert ones, allow a repeat visit within 7 days which is a great bonus.
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