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North Pennines NatureFest 2024

The programme has been launched for the first-ever North Pennines NatureFest – a celebration of the outstanding nature, wildlife, plants, and rocks found in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

Event Date

25 May 2024

This event occurs daily from
25 May 2024 to 09 Jun 2024

Description

North Pennines NatureFest is running from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 9 June 2024, during May half term, and has over 20 events spread across the two weeks.

There is a packed programme of fun and informative events, with activities for more experienced nature enthusiasts alongside events aimed at children and families. Events include themed walks, volunteer days, art-based activities, talks, and hands-on activities for children.

At the National Landscape’s Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale, there are volunteer days at the tree nursery, an opportunity to make bug hotels, river dipping, bee walks, and an introductory workshop on geological mapping.

Discover ancient woodlands at Tunstall reservoir and explore how to paint expressively with watercolour to capture the colour and movement of summer hay meadows with local designer and illustrator, Chloe Hedley.

Join in with the ‘Nature on track’ event at the South Tynedale Railway, Alston on Saturday 1 June. There’s no need to book – just turn up between 10am and 3pm for bug hunting, wildlife badge-making, and to discover the birds of the North Pennines. All activities will be suitable for children aged three to eleven.

In the middle weekend (Friday 31 May to Sunday 2 June) we are delighted to be running a ‘Nature camp’ with Doe Park Caravan Site in Teesdale. This event is aimed at families with children – although adults are also welcome. After a welcome on the Friday evening campers will be able to take part in various nature-based activities over the weekend – including bug hunts, trails, den building, walks, and wildlife spotting.

On Tuesday 4 June, staff at RSPB Geltsdale are running ‘Bigger, better, more connected’, a guided walk to see how nature and agriculture can co-exist. Visitors will look at management for breeding waders, the ‘re-wiggling’ of Howgill Beck, grazing cattle with NoFence collars, and the Bruthwaite Forest native woodland planting scheme.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines National Landscape, said: “North Pennines NatureFest is all about shining a light on how special the nature and landscape is in the North Pennines. There’s a wide range of events in the programme, for all ages. From Teesdale to Weardale, Alston to Nine Standards, and Hexham to RSPB Geltsdale, there are events happening across the whole area. We have some charismatic wildlife here, in some stunning locations, and we hope people come along and enjoy it in the company of some expert guides.”

Discover the full programme at www.NorthPenninesNatureFest.org.uk