Welcome to The Woodland Library – a place where everyone is welcome!
Please come and join us in these beautiful natural green spaces where there will be fun, exploration, relaxation, discovery and so much more for you– all in one place.
Come and create your own special memories, find your inner child (and bring along any children you have!) to explore, create, experience, rest, connect - the choice is yours!
The Woodland Library has been created for everyone of all ages to explore, experience and enjoy creative and cultural activities, relax, find sanctuary, mix with members of your community (human and wildlife!) in the special woodland environments.
The Woodland Library is brought to you by The Starfish Collaborative supported by Coventry City Council Arts and Culture, City of Culture Trust #Green Futures, Severn Trent Community Fund, National Lottery Community Fund, National Lottery Heritage Fund in partnership with Coventry City Council Parks Development Team and Rangers Service, Coventry Library Services and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
Please use the links below for maps to the various locations:
Monday 9th August:
Wyken Slough CV2 1PP
Wednesday 11th August:
Wyken Croft Nature Park CV2 3AB
Friday 13th August:
Canley Ford CV5 6QN
Come and explore!
Clay Pinch Pots [8yrs+]
This peaceful, creative space invites you to make your very own little dish or pot, decorated with beautiful natural patterns. You may wish to bring an empty lunchbox or similar to safely transport your pot home.
Books and Beyond [early years to age 11] (No need to book)
Come and visit the libraries staff to take part in fun activities, the Summer Reading Challenge and Hunt the Character!
Woodland Adventure [early years to age 11]
Go on a woodland adventure and take part in lots of woodland activities. You can learn all about animals that live in this habitat, give a tree a hug, complete a bark rubbing and lots more!
Wizarding and Wands [early years to age 11]
Come and create smelly potions and willow wands in this magical woodland session using natural resources that you will forage for!
Minibeast Mission [early years to age 11]
Come on a mission, have a go with our exploration equipment as we go in search of mini-beasts, learn how to collect mini-beasts without hurting them and watch them all run around together. If you love mini-beast hunting then you’ll be a pro after this session.
Natures’ Craft [16yrs+] (Wednesday only)
Find sanctuary in this peaceful creative word session. Turn your thoughts and words about nature and wellbeing into something unique to keep.
Wizarding and Wands [early years to age 11]
Come and create smelly potions and willow wands in this magical woodland session using natural resources that you will forage for!
Minibeast Mission [early years to age 11]
Come on a mission, have a go with our exploration equipment as we go in search of mini-beasts, learn how to collect mini-beasts without hurting them and watch them all run around together. If you love mini-beast hunting then you’ll be a pro after this session.
Natures’ Craft [16yrs+] (Wednesday only)
Find sanctuary in this peaceful creative word session. Turn your thoughts and words about nature and wellbeing into something unique to keep.
Woodland Origami Garlands [16yrs+] (Not Wednesday)
Turn recycled book pages into woodland garlands using origami and a variety of foraged materials, to take home, give as a gift, or leave in the space as a part of the Woodland Library.
Found Poetry [16yrs+] (Not Wednesday)
Using recycled book pages and foraged materials plus a sprinkle of your own imagination, this workshop will enable you to create your own piece of woodland blackout poetry.
Clay Faces [all who are young at heart] (Wednesday only)
Make a mysterious creature, a mini beast, a woodland animal, a wise tree wizard or try to sculpt your own face using clay and all the woodland resources you can find!
Bird Box Making [all ages] (Not Wednesday)
Join the Rangers to spend time building your own bird box to take home or leave in the woodlands.
Unwind [all ages] (No need to book)
Come and rest under the canopy of leaves, relax, reflect, breathe – there will be hammocks and picnic blankets for you to rest in for however long you wish to…
Fancy A Cuppa? [all ages] (No need to book)
Picnic blankets galore for you sit and snack on, with free hot and cold drinks. Please bring your own food if you wish to, and make a lunchtime of it!
Wonder As You Wander [all ages] (No need to book)
You are welcome to explore the rest of the beautiful parkland today, and always…
That's Not a Stick! (all ages)
This session invites you to turn a stick into something imaginative! Perhaps it’s a natural wall hanging or garden mobile, or maybe a puppet or a magic wand. Endless possibilities in this session for everyone. Feel free to BYOS or forage for one…
If you’d like to book in advance please fill in the booking form below
If you are unable to make it in the day please let us know so we can offer your space to someone else.
When you apply, please also complete our anonymous Diversity and Equal Opportunities form:
If you any questions please contact: Kerry Harvey (The Starfish Collaborative) at [email protected]
Is The Woodland Library free? Yes all events and activities are free.
Can I come at any time between 10.30am and 4pm?
Yes you are welcome to join us at any time and stay for as long as you like.
Do I have to book?
There are lots of things going on at the woodland library that you can wander around and enjoy but if you want to come along to a particular session we recommend you use the booking form to guarantee you a space or you can arrive on the day and see when the next available space is.
We recommend you book on a session in advance to ensure you have a space but if you haven’t booked and just want to arrive on the day we may still have spaces left so please
I haven’t booked on a session can I still come along?
Yes! You don’t need to book a session to explore and experience The Woodland Library, you may just want to arrive on the day at a time that suits you and see what you would you like to experience.
How long will each session be?
Sessions last between 45 minutes and an hour (except Nature’s Craft on Wednesday lasts for 1hr 15mins).
What if the weather is wet?
We have event shelters at the ready if the weather is wet so don’t let that stop you coming!
What if I need the toilet?
There will be accessible toilets located in 2 places within The Woodland Library
I have a disability/health condition/access needs how can I be supported?
We want The Woodland Library to be as accessible as possible and whilst these woodland spaces will have a few bumpy bits on the ground we have picked these spaces as they are accessible for feet and wheels.
We have seating in all locations for people to rest in and should you need to sit and there is not seat available please ask a member of the team and they will find seating for you.
For anyone who may need a quiet space to rest if things get too busy/noisy etc they can visit Unwind which is a specifically relaxing calmer slower space.
Can I bring my children, friends or my dog?
Yes - people of all ages are welcome and dogs on leads are welcome to come along. Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed into the booked sessions but are welcome to take as stroll through Unwind, rest and have some water at TBC and meander through the wider green spaces.
Will I need to bring food? We have created Fancy a Cuppa? for you to come and refresh yourself with free hot and cold drinks, there will be picnic blankets so please bring your own food if you’d like to.
I have a disability/health condition/access needs how can I be supported?
We want The Woodland Library to be as accessible as possible and whilst these woodland spaces will have a few bumpy bits on the ground we have picked these spaces as they are accessible for feet and wheels.
We have seating in all locations for people to rest in and should you need to sit and there is not a seat available please ask a member of the team and they will find seating for you.
For anyone who may need a quiet space to rest if things get too busy/noisy etc they can visit Unwind which is a specifically relaxing calmer slower space.
