The Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre
Our Ladywood centre is a green oasis in the heart of the city, home to a community café, two geodesic learning domes, and an outdoor Amphitheatre. Here we provide nature connection for health and wellbeing, plus eco-initiatives to develop more sustainable neighbourhoods.
A place in the city to learn, grow & connect
Welcome to the Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre, a safe green space for the whole community!
The Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre is a welcoming green space for everyone – to connect with and care for nature, get active, learn new skills, join wellbeing classes, volunteer or host your own activity or event in one of our unique spaces.
How to find us
You can find us by foot next to Edgbaston Reservoir, or via our car park just off Selwyn Road.
Open: Monday – Friday, 8.30am – 4pm.
Running group Sunday 9.30 – 11.30am.
The full address is:
Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre,
Edgbaston Reservoir, 79 Selwyn Road, Birmingham,
B16 0SL
Contact us:
natureandwellbeing@bsettlement.org.uk
0121 250 0771
Supporting community wellbeing
At the Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre we aim to improve the health, happiness and wellness of diverse communities in Ladywood and beyond. Regular activities include:
Tai Chi in Nature
Combining breathing exercises and gentle motions, our Tai Chi classes are a gentle form of exercise which can improve strength, balance and flexibility and aids relaxation.
Creative Shed
Get involved in our hands-on project, perfect for building skills, making friends and staying active! Creative Shed (50+): Try woodwork and creative projects in a friendly, social space.
Green Volunteering
Twice-weekly volunteer days to enhance and improve the local environment, increase biodiversity and create spaces for nature – all while improving wellbeing though time outdoors.
Roots Forest School
A space to play, learn, grow and be together. Sessions blend play with growing and gardening projects set in our beautiful, tucked away Nature Zone. We particularly welcome local families new to Forest School, and/or with limited access to safe outdoor spaces. Learn more
Social Walk & Talk
Meet new people in your local community with this weekly sociable walk. We take in the world around us all while exercising and chatting. Aimed at over 50s.
Arts & Craft Group
Make new friends and meet our lovely team whilst getting creative! Destress, unwind and relax with this friendly volunteer-led group. All materials are provided and all abilities are welcome. Tea and coffee provided.
Yoga in Nature
Yoga in nature to replenish and unwind. All equipment provided. Improve strengh, co-ordination, movement and balance while connecting to the natural surrounds.
Branching Out
A safe, welcoming, supported environment for people with additional needs to learn, connect, and grow. Gentle gardening, Sensory Shed wellbeing activities, gstructured volunteering sessions integrating skills development while caring for nature and green space.
What’s on?
To view the full timetable of activities at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre click here
Browse our gallery!
The Neighbourhood Futures Festival: Community & Climate Action
Our annual Neighbourhood Futures Festival is where every day climate action meets creativity, performance, participation and learning to demonstrate what can be done locally in the fight against climate change.
With climate justice at its heart, it’s more than just fun (although we have plenty of that too!). It’s about making connections, building relationships, sharing new ideas, and taking action that keeps growing long after the festival is over.
Learn with us!
The Birmingham Settlement Nature & Wellbeing Centre is an eco-site demonstrating what can be done in our own neighbourhoods in the fight against climate change. Whether it’s community composting, rain-water harvesting, re-greening, habitat creation or our Roots Forest School – we work with communities, schools, colleges & alternative provisions to provide diverse opportunities for learning.
The Red Shed Community Cafe
Welcome to our friendly neighbourhood café!
Situated inside a unique eco-friendly building with views over our beautiful field and the reservoir, pop-in or sit on the terrace and enjoy a range of hot and cold drinks and snacks whilst connecting with nature.
Open Monday-Friday 8.30am-3.30pm.
Hire our unique spaces!
Looking for an interesting and unusual space for your meeting, activity or event? From immersive geodomes to stages for outdoor arts and performance, explore what we offer.
Did you know that we provide facilitated Away Days and Team Building sessions from our unique spaces? Chose from yoga, Pilates and mindfulness sessions, sports days, woodworking, bush crafts and more! email natureandwellbeing@bsettlement.org.uk
Eco domes for learning & wellbeing
We have two learning domes unique to the city of Birmingham, an 8m ‘Sanctuary’ dome and a 6m ‘Retreat’ dome.
Made from aluminum and glass, the domes are primarily used as classroom settings to deliver eco-learning activities raising awareness of environmental issues. We also host activities for wellbeing in the domes, like art classes and Tai Chi, and they make perfect sheltered spaces for retreats and away days.
The domes provide an immersive and well-connected experience to the environment, allowing communities to feel connected to nature irrespective of the weather!
Open-Air Amphitheatre for Arts & Performance
Surrounded by nature and under the vast expanse of the sky, our outdoor amphitheatre offers a unique stage for performances, workshops, and gatherings that nurture the soul!
This unique open-air event space at Edgbaston Reservoir entwines nature and creativity, fostering a deeper connection to the world around us. You’ll find a beautiful waterside performance space, tiered, curved seating, power sockets, accessible pathways, and full access to our site.
Stretch "Bonga" Tent
Sheltered and spacious, our stretch tent at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre makes a unique and flexible venue for workshops, talks, activities and birthday parties to corporate events and community gatherings. Hire the space by the hour, day or half day. We also offer facilitated Away Days, enquire for details.
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The Nature Zone
Home to our ‘Roots’ Forest School, this area is perfect for gatherings, outdoor learning and groups. From wellbeing sessions in nature to singalongs around the campfire, children’s nature play and crafts this semi-wild area connects to nature and provides space for tranquillity, relaxation, learning and play.
The space has a covered pergola area and firepit with log circle. The space can be booked with use of the wider site or on its own.
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With thanks to our funders & supporters:
Volunteer With Us!
There are many volunteer opportunities with us – even if you’ve never volunteered before! From outdoor nature conservation and maintenance to gardening and planting, supporting activities and helping in our ‘Red Shed’ cafe.
Volunteering is a great way to make a positive impact on the community and environment. Interested? Email: volunteer@bsettlement.org.uk
But that's not all - we have bolder ambitions
- A second building for growing and “mucking about”
- Crops on the field, to supply local business and support local people
- Installation of compostable toilets
- Developing composting systems including ‘humanure’
- To find out more about the developments click here.
Work with Us!
We want to work with local people and groups to create a sustainable, active and open space that supports the wellbeing of all. If you have an idea or a community project you would like to develop at the Nature & Wellbeing Centre, we’d love to hear from you. Email: natureandwellbeing@bsettlement.org.uk Call: 0121 250 0771