Festival of Nature celebrates its 20th anniversary with events across Bath and North East Somerset
Are you local to Bath? Festival of Nature is hosting nature sessions near you!
To celebrate our 20 year anniversary, Festival of Nature is bigger and better than ever before. We have brought together natural history organisations, experts and TV personalities from across the region to create a diverse range of activities, sessions and workshops. This year, many of these events are taking place across Bath city centre and surrounding area. From minibeast hunts to wildlife photography to kayaking along the River Avon, there is something for everyone.
Young families: don’t miss our free, all-day Family Nature Party on Sunday 11 June at Apex City of Bath Hotel.
Naturalists: explore the amazing Bathampton Meadows on a guided walk on Wednesday 14 June.
Adventurers: join us for an evening kayak down the River Avon on Thursday 15 June.
Many of our events are free and can be easily booked online. See below for full list of events taking place in the Bath area and how to book. Don’t miss out!
Public Programme Events
Discover how to identify Native Trees
Friday 9 June, 10:00am - 12:30pm | Primrose Hill Community Woodland
Whilst out walking, have you ever wondered ‘which tree is that’? If so, then this More Trees workshop is for you. Join More Trees BANES group at Primrose Hill Community Woodland as we show you how to identify a host of tree species by looking at leaves, bark, tree shape and other seasonal features. Along the way, you’ll discover various hints and tips for identifying trees.
No previous knowledge is required. You may be a keen beginner or someone looking to enhance your skills, either way this workshop, lead by a tree expert, will provide an informative introduction to summer tree identification.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/639318457717
Bat Walk
Friday 9 June, 9:00 - 10:00pm | Bath City Farm
Find out more about the mysterious bats that live in Bath and surrounding areas. Try your hand at a bat detector to track them across the farm and (hopefully!) spot them flying.
Book here: https://www.bathscape.co.uk/event/bat-walk-bath-city-farm-2/
Mini Beast Hunting
Saturday 10 June, 10:30am - 2:30pm | Bath City Farm
Bring the family and pop along to the farm for some bug hunting, butterfly netting, moth trapping and pond dipping. Visit the wilder side of the Farm and see some of the hundreds of species of plants and animals that call it their home.
Book here: https://www.bathscape.co.uk/event/mini-beasts-at-farm/
Staddlestones Reimagined
Saturday 10 June 10:30am - 2:30pm | Staddlestones Park, Radstock
A day of free activities for you and your family. Come along and enjoy Staddlestones Park and share how we might reimagine and develop this green space for nature and the local community. The Somer Valley Rediscovered team want to hear ideas from the local community for ways to make this an even more welcoming greenspace which is easily accessible, increases its wildlife and biodiversity value and is a space that people can use to benefit their physical and mental health and wellbeing. Everyone is welcome - come along, bring a picnic, and tell us what you think while enjoying some free activities, which include a sing-a-ling (10:30 - 11:30am), yoga and mindfulness, nature workshops for families.
Find out more: https://www.facebook.com/events/6627878880578447/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
Somerdale BioBlitz
Saturday 10 June, 12:00 - 3:00pm | Somerdale Pavilion, Keynsham
What exciting nature can you find in Somerdale? Join the WaterSpace team who are working to improve the river corridor between Bristol and Bath and explore the site for wildlife. Learn how to use iNaturalist and practice your new skills, searching for and identifying nature.
Book here: https://bit.ly/SomerdaleNature
Discover how to identify Native Trees
Saturday 10 June, 10:00am - 12:30pm | Breach Wood
Whilst out walking, have you ever wondered ‘which tree is that’? If so, then this More Trees workshop is for you. Join More Trees BANES group at Breach Wood as we show you how to identify a host of tree species by looking at leaves, bark, tree shape and other seasonal features. Along the way, you’ll discover various hints and tips for identifying trees.
No previous knowledge is required. You may be a keen beginner or someone looking to enhance your skills, either way this workshop, lead by a tree expert, will provide an informative introduction to summer tree identification.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/639321486777
Family Nature Party
Sunday 11 June, 10:00am - 4:00pm | Apex City of Bath Hotel
Come together with other local families for a free, all-day nature party in Bath city-centre with arts and crafts, music, storytelling, games and performances, toddler sessions, and lots of opportunities for little ones and their grown-ups to learn about how to take action for the natural world.
Nadeem Perera will be doing a special guest talk at Family Nature Party. Nadeem is a wildlife TV presenter, author, activist and co-founder of the birdwatching collective, Flock Together. Nadeem has appeared on Springwatch, Autumnwatch and The One Show. He is an ambassador for Festival of Nature partner the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT).
Find accessibility information for Apex City of Bath Hotel under FAQs on this page.
Find out more about the free event: https://www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-of-nature/family-nature-party-in-bath-festival-of-nature-2023/
Nature at Night
Tuesday 13 June, 9:00 - 11:00pm | Percy Community Centre
As the sun sets on Bath join Festival of Nature and explore how the city comes alive after dark. Join wildlife experts for a nocturnal adventure of wildlife spotting and star gazing, as we discover the importance of darkness. Keep your eyes peeled for bats, moths, foxes, hedgehogs, owls and all the night time wildlife that calls Bath home!
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nature-at-night-tickets-616482223927
Introduction to Wildlife Photography with George Cook
Wednesday 14 June, 6:00 - 8:00pm | Bath City Farm
Have you always wanted to have a go at taking pictures of the natural world but don’t know where to start? Join wildlife photographer George Cook for a beginner’s course on wildlife photography at Bath City Farm.
Minerva Lecture: Sustainable Construction in an era of Climate Change
Wednesday 14 June, 6:00 - 7:00pm | The Mission Theatre
Speakers: Dr Dan Maskell and Dr Aoife Houlihan Wiberg, both Senior Lecturers in the Department of Architecture, Design and Civil Engineering. The Minerva Lecture Series is a series of free talks for the local community hosted in Bath with a mixture of in person and online events. In our age of information, the world is changing more rapidly than ever before. Societal shifts, coupled with great leaps in science and technology, are shaping the future for us all. The Minerva Series of Lectures is your opportunity to hear our experts share their insights on a range of topics, including science, politics, health, and sustainability.
Bathampton Meadows Guided Walk
Wednesday 14 June, 7:00 - 10:00pm | The Bathampton Mill
A rare chance to explore the wonderful wildlife at Bathampton Meadows – a Site of Nature Conservation Importance (SNCI) close to the city of Bath. This largely undisturbed site can only be visited with a guide, and is home to a range of birds, butterflies, dragonflies and damselflies. Avon Wildlife Trust’s Nature Recovery Officer Rob Stephens will lead a small group with the support of birder and botanist Glen Maddison and Ken Tatem who was instrumental in the design of the meadows.
Book here: https://www.avonwildlifetrust.org.uk/events/2023-06-14-guided-walk-bathampton-meadows
Noticing Nature: Paddle Along the River Avon
Thursday 15 June, 6:00 - 8:00pm | Channel Kayaks, Newbridge Road
Take an evening paddle and see the River Avon from a whole new angle. Slow down and explore nature along the river, guided by CK Sup & Paddle. Participants will receive a full safety briefing and be guided along a tour of the beautiful River Avon, looking out for wildlife along the way. This event is supported by the WaterSpace Connected project, which is looking to improve the River Avon for people and nature.
Book here: https://widget.eola.co/896/activities/noticing-nature
Renewable Energy and Nature Recovery
Thursday 15 June, 6:00 - 7:30pm | Keynsham Community Space
Join this evening of discussion and debate exploring how the region can achieve its ambitions for clean energy alongside nature’s recovery. Local organisations and stakeholders will share their perspectives on the benefit to the environment, nature and people on reaching Net Zero by 2030 while managing land positively for nature and increasing the abundance of key species.
Book here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/renewable-energy-and-nature-recovery-tickets-629986214727
Meadows and Mini-Beasts at Innox Park
Saturday 17 June, 10:30am - 12:00pm | Innox Park, Twerton
A drop-in session to join Bathscape and Bath Natural History Society members as they survey the plants and minibeasts that have made their home in and around the recently created meadow areas of Innox Park.
Book here: https://www.bathscape.co.uk/event/meadows-and-mini-beasts-at-innox-park/
Find more Festival of Nature 2023 events here.
