Plantasia and Maze World
Atherstone, Warwickshire
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Featured Location Guide |
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This is a fascinating and enjoyable facility
for people of all ages, from children through to adults. It has activities that
the children will enjoy including investigating each of six mazes and getting
their reward at the end, finding out what part plants play in our eco system
through the hands-on exhibitions in Plantasia, and in the wild walk with a tree
top trail and many paths they can run about on and see animals in the animal
pens and deer park. Adults will enjoy the serene atmosphere of the wild walking
gently strolling and exploring all parts as well as across the car park on the
other side visiting the shopping complex and garden centre of Dobbies.
I have visited Plantasia a number of times and
each time have both seen something different and photographed different things,
it is a good place for photography not just with it's fixed displays, but also
the visitors of wildfowl, dragonflies, damselflies, snails, butterflies, water
features and a vast array of plants. So what is here to explore. |
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larger version
Plantasia brings the world of plants to life by
using an interactive exhibition centre to explore what happens to a plant both
below and above ground. There are four different zones broken down into the:
- Land of the Living - where a single
shovel of soil contains more living things and without them tress and
plants would not survive.
- The Hothouse - shows how plants turn the
suns energy into food.
- The Aqua Chamber - show what part water
plays, as water is everywhere it plays an important role in both plant,
animal and human survival. Plus uncovers some of the creatures under
threat.
- The Ozone - informs us that without
plants there wouldn't be any oxygen, but also find out what plants can
live in ice or hot springs.
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| The also have a outside Wild Walk where
children can roam freely, no dogs allowed, and picnic tables are provided for
your lunch. You can take a leisurely stroll around the meadows, lakes, woodland
and orchard and explore nature and discover wildlife such as insects,
butterflies, birds, dragonflies, damselflies and sometimes swans and other
waterfowl on the ponds and stream that runs along the edge of the area. The carp
lake and other ponds have water lilies and other aquatic plants in them, as well
as ducks and other wildlife in or on them. You can also take a treetop trail
which gives views of the trees from a different perspective and build your very
own den in our den enclosure. For the real explorers young and old, there is
also a fun stamper card trail with a special gift for every child who returns a
completed trail card. |
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| Wild Walk. Within this area you can take
a leisurely stroll around the meadows, lakes and woodland, explore nature and
the wildlife and have picnics. Children can have fun by collecting a card at the
entrance that whilst exploring the many avenues and pathways can spot stampers
which they collect on the card. Once the card is full they can return to the
entrance and receive a small prize, or can let off steam the in children's play
area. It keeps them occupied, while you get enjoy the surroundings. Within the
wild walk there is also: treetop trail - allows you to walk up amongst
the trees and wildlife, but also gives views across the site with lakes etc
below.
meadows - following the paths around the
meadows you get to see the various wild flowers, small insects such as snails,
butterflies and at the water you may also see dragonflies and damselflies. |
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| woodland - strolling or sitting in the woodland
area you can hear the music of wind chimes, look at the natural art show and
take in the scents of the woodland plantlife. The orchard is also a good spot,
with seats provided to allow you to take a rest whilst in autumn you can sample
the traditional apple varieties, plums, damsons and pears.
carp lake - with its waterlillies and fish as
well of course all the tinier insects you can identify.
animals - on view are Alpacas,
Gloucestershire Old Spot and Kune Kune Pigs, goats, guinea pigs,
sheep, shetland ponies, muscovy ducks and of course the deer. You will
also see a variety of ducks on the 2 large ponds near the entrance.
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Deer Park.
Explore the deer park and be sure not to miss out
on feeding time! They have three types of deer Fallow, Japanese Sika and Red.
The Red's are easily recognised as they are the largest and during the 'rut' end
of September to November the males will have large antlers, the Fallow deer have
white spots and the Sika who also have spotty coats during the summer but a
recognised from the black stripe that runs along their back. There is a hide
provided where you can stand and view the deer at a distance, but you can also
get up close the fence. At feeding time they are encouraged by the keepers to
get closer to the fence and so that they come closer for the visitors to see,
and usually the keepers will answer any questions that you may have about them.
The wild walk is a great place to visit when
dry however there are no shelters, except the hide by the deer park, around the
site so on very hot sunny days it is wise to cool off in the woodland area. On
wet days with the grass paths as well it could be a little tricky, however
Dobbies Garden Centre is nearby!
| Maze World.
This is a collection of permanent mazes with six mazes
themed around the continents. They are created entirely from plants and
materials that you can use in your garden and more than 6,000 plants have been
used to create them. Each maze hides a reward stamp at its centre which can be
used as a game with children, collect them all and the children can claim a
small prize. Not all the mazes are like the tradition high hedge English maze,
some are constructed out of stone but are still just as challenging to
get round.
The mazes include: |
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Canadian Hedge Maze shaped like a maple leaf out of Western Cedar and Western
Cedar yellow ribbon hedging. Its feature is a tipi. It's the only maze that has
a set of rules, which state you have to follow the coloured arrows.
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a
traditional English Hedge Maze - this is the longest maze at 866 metres and has
3 feature gardens within it the main on includes a magical tree fountain. It is
constructed of various hedges including yes, hornbeam, copper beech, beech,
privet and golden privet.
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Antarctic Labyrinth made out of white stones with a penguin at it's centre
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Japanese Trellis Maze created from 400 panels and climbing plants of clematis,
honeysuckle, passion fruit and Winter Jasmine, there are also water features and
an area to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
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African
Reed Fence Maze shaped like a rhino’s horn, constructed from rhino reed and
bamboo fencing. The main feature of this garden is the jungle land rover and
African style paintings at its entrance.
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Australian Wooden Pole Maze that features eucalyptus plants, wonga wonga vine
and bluebell creepers.
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Other Facilities available include:
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Children's play area
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BBQ & Picnic area
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Disabled access
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Refreshments
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Toilets
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Classroom
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Gift Shop
A great day out and I really enjoy visiting you
get to see different things each time you visit and there are a wide variety of
things to photograph.
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Location: Plantasia and Maze World,
Atherstone, Warwickshire |
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Grid Reference: SP327960 |
Ceremonial County:
Warwickshire
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Map Link:
StreetMap
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Aerial photo:
Google Aerial Photo
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Getting there: Located off the A5 between
Atherstone and Nuneaton on the site of Dobbies Garden Centre. |
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Access: off of Free car park |
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Website:
Visit
Plantasia
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Other Useful Websites: |
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Email: |
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Address: Nuneaton Road, Mancetter, Nr
Atherstone, Warwickshire |
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Postcode: CV9 1RF |
Telephone: 01827 713 438 |
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Opening Times: Apr-Oct Daily 9.30am-5pm on
Sunday 9.30am-4pm |
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Charges: Adult £5.95; Child £4.95;
Concession £3.95; Family (2+2) £19.95 |
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Nearby Locations: |
Other Location Pages:
Deer
Topic Index
Where to Photograph Deer
in the UK
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Notes: Great place for all the family and
photographers, nearby Dobbies is a good shopping environment too.
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