Big Wild Weekend

16-17 June

Join us at hundreds of Wildlife Trust events taking place across the UK

Child with marbled white butterfly - Adam Cormack

The Big Wild Weekend 16-17 June 2018

The Big Wild Weekend is two days of  wildlife and nature events taking place across the UK on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th June. There are more than 200 events for all ages and levels of interest - badger watches, picnics, butterfly hunts, wildlife identification courses, beach cleans, night-time nature rambles and even a music festival.

Wildlife Trusts across the country are running events helping you to discover and enjoy your local wildlife. The Big Wild Weekend takes place halfway through 30DaysWild – the UK’s annual nature challenge organised by The Wildlife Trusts and which runs from the 1st -30th June.

Explore events in your area

Northern England  Southern England 

 Midlands   Eastern England  Wales 

 Scotland  Northern Ireland  

Big Wild Weekend

Events in northern England

See all events in northern England 

Playing in Greno Woods - Ryan Blackwood
SHEFFIELD

Family Day Out in Greno Woods

Build a den, follow a trail, find a geocache! Family fun in Greno Woods.
(SATURDAY 16th 11-3)
7-spot Ladybird
County Durham

Big Community Bug Hunt

See what minibeasts are hiding in the habitats at Low Barns Nature Reserve, near Bishop Auckland
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-3)
Northumberlandia trail
NORTHUMBERLAND

Follow the Wildlife Trail at Northumberlandia

Collect your nature trail sheet and set off to see what summer wildlife you can find!
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-3)
Mere Sands Wood Wildflower Meadow
LANCASHIRE

Wildlife Walk at Mere Sands Wood

Explore beautiful wildflower meadows with local wildflower expert Dave Earl.
(SATURDAY 16th, 2-4)
Children playing with snail - Emma Bradshaw
TEES VALLEY

30DaysWild at Portrack Marsh and Maze Park

A day filled with lots of wild ideas and activities for going wild this June.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-3.30)
Gatekeeper
Isle of Man

Hunt for Butterflies

A family event with butterfly hunting and butterfly crafts taking place at Community Farm, Douglas.
(SATURDAY 16th, 2-3.30)
Rockpooling - Matthew Roberts

Rockpooling - Matthew Roberts

Yorkshire

Go on a Seashore Safari

Explore seashore wildlife at one of Yorkshire finest beaches. Visit South Landing with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and hunt through the rockpools to discover weird and wonderful species of the sea!

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Forest Schools Teacher Rebecca
CHESHIRE

Family Forest School

Learn bushcraft skills, nature studies, play games and explore the woods at Quinta nature reserve
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-12.30)
Peacock butterfly
CHESHIRE

Recording wildlife at Fiddler’s Ferry

Record wildlife on the power station nature trail through meadows, woodland and ponds.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-12)
Eycott Hill Discovery Day
CUMBRIA

30 Days Wild Discovery Day

Random Acts of Wildness at Eycott Hill Nature Reserve. Survey like a scientist, get arty in nature and more!
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-4)

Events in southern England

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Family day in Priors Wood
AVON

Family day in Priors Wood

Den building, nature art, games, storytelling and more - bring a picnic to enjoy in the woods!
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-12)
BBOWT Teddy Bear's Picnic
OXFORDSHIRE

Teddy Bears' Picnic at Meadow Farm

Picnic in the meadow, enjoy the wildlife and teddy-themed trails.
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-2)
Bat detecting - Penny Dixie
CORNWALL

Moth Trapping & Bat Detecting

Enjoy this night-time event as you discover moths and the bats that hunt them!
(SATURDAY 16th, 9-11pm)
Family Fun Day, Devon Wildlife Trust - Matt Austin
DEVON

Big Family Fun Day in Exeter

Wildlife activities including bug hunting, pond dipping, wild craft and much more.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10.30-4)
Children dipping in rockpools at low tide, The Wildlife Trusts
DORSET

Big Wild Seas Weekend at Kimmeridge Bay

Test your limpet shell stacking skills and help make a giant mosaic using items found on the beach!
(SAT/SUN 16th & 17th, 11-4)
Amy Lewis

Amy Lewis

Hampshire & Isle of Wight

Family Nature Night

Gather when the sun goes down to discover the creatures that come out at night on the Isle of Wight! 

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Kids Jumping (c) Adrian Clarke
GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Go Wild! at Robinswood Hill

Enjoy a circus skills workshop, a climbing wall, Land Rover trips, wildlife activities and more.
(SUNDAY 17th, 12-4)
Herts WT - Gt Gaddesden
HERTFORDSHIRE

Big Wild Weekend at Great Gaddesden

Celebrate wildlife artist Gordon Beningfield and 30 Days Wild! Enjoy the flower festival, walks and more
(SAT 16th/SUN 17th, 10-4)
Kent WT - Orchid
KENT

Orchid Walk

Discover beautiful orchids at Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve and learn about these wildflowers.
(SUNDAY 17th, 10.30 - 12.30)
Hedgehog Discovery Day, London Wildlife Trust
LONDON

Hedgehog Discovery Day

Take home a clay hedgehog, tackle the footprint challenge, and play the hedgehog survival game. At Woodberry Wetlands.
(SUNDAY 17th, 11-3)
Amy Lewis Sunset
SOMERSET

Night-time wildlife walk with Chris Sperring

A night-time ramble with Chris Sperring MBE, looking for owls, glow worms, nightjars and stars. 16+ years.
(FRI 15th 8.30pm-SAT 16th 5am)
Marjoram and Rough Hawkbit (c) Harry Eve
SURREY

Discover wildflowers at Sheepleas

Explore the wildflower meadows of Sheepleas. Find out about chalk grassland & its special wildlife.
(SATURDAY 16th 10-11.30)
White-tailed Bumblebee
SUSSEX

Identification and Natural History of Bumblebees & Other Bees

Bees in Britain - a one day introduction to their identification, ecology and conservation.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-4)
Wiltshire WT Event
WILTSHIRE

Big Wild Weekend - Nature Taster!

An amazing nature taster day! Bird watching, natural crafts, whittling and nature trails and more!
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-3)

Events in the midlands

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BBC WT Wildlife Tracking
BIRMINGHAM

Wildlife tracking in Deers Leap nature reserve

Explore the woodland in search of tracks and signs left behind by wild animals.
(SUNDAY 17th, 10-12)
White-tailed bumblebee
HEREFORDSHIRE

Pollinator Day at Eastnor

Join Herefordshire Wildlife Trust for bee and butterfly crafts and activities at Eastnor Castle.
(SUNDAY 17th, 11-5)
Plastic Waste
LEICESTERSHIRE

Plastic-less planet

Stalls, displays and speakers on how we can reduce our reliance on single-use plastic! Market Harborough
(SATURDAY 16th, 10am)
Woodside Festival - Derbyshire Wildlife Trust
DERBYSHIRE

Woodside Festival

Like live music, food, and helping wildlife? 

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust's Woodside Festival is crammed full of local artists, amazing food stalls and activities such as yoga, oh and gin! Every ticket sold helps support wildlife.

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Lincs WT Sea Dipping
LINCOLNSHIRE

Go Sea Dipping

Use special sea-dipping nets to discover animals living just off our shore (while showing off your best wellies!).
(SATURDAY 16th, 2-4)
Vicky Woodgate - Urban Jungle
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Big Weekend Illustration Workshop - Urban Jungle

Animal games & drawing workshop about urban wildlife. Vicky Woodgate will be signing copies of 'Urban Jungle'!
(SAT 16th, 10.30-11.30)
Bushcraft Training July 16 Aimee Bow Drill
SHROPSHIRE

Wild in the woods

A one day event split into two halves; a 2 hour bushcraft session followed by a search for mammal tracks and trails.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-3)
Two women and three young girls pond dipping from a wooden deck, The Wildlife Trusts
STAFFORDSHIRE

Family pond dipping at Doxey Marshes

Discover Staffordshire's underwater world - look for water boatmen, whirligig beetles, damselfly nymphs & more!
(SATURDAY 16th, 10.30-1)
Wawrickshire WT Events
WARWICKSHIRE

Wild Fest at Nelson's Wharf

A celebration of Warwickshire's wildlife! Canal boat rides, nature walks, crafts, games and refreshments.
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-4)
Lower Smite Farm Garden (c) Wendy Carter
Worcestershire Wildlife Trust

Big Wild Weekend at Lower Smite Farm

Mini discovery courses, talks and walks with our resident experts. activities for everyone aged 1 - 101!
(SATURDAY 16th, 10-4)

Events in eastern England

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Big Wild Weekend - BCN Wildlife Trust
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Big Wild Weekend at Nene Wetlands Visitor Centre

Take a trip to the Visitor Centre for street theatre and fun nature activities!
(SAT 16th & SUN 17th - all day)
Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth
NORFOLK

Discover marvellous moths at Weeting Heath

Marvel at moth trap finds and search for hummingbird & broad-bordered bee hawk-moths!
(SATURDAY 16th June, 10.30-12.30)
Suffolk Wildlife Trust - Family Day Thropeness
SUFFOLK

Big Wild Weekend at Aldeburgh

A drop-in event with free, fun sea-themed nature activities for all the family!
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-3)
Playing guitar (c) Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

Katrina Martin / 2020VISION

ESSEX

Music in the Woods: Summer Concert

Spend a summer evening in the Ancient Woodland of Belfairs enjoying beautiful music provided by some of Essex's most talented musicians.

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Events in Wales

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Meadow The Wildlife Trusts
SOUTH WALES

Meadow Flowers at Lavernock

Join Cardiff local group for a wander in the meadows at the Trust’s Lavernock Point nature reserve.
(Sunday 17th, 11-1)
Children Identifying Species (c) Ross Hoddinott
MONMOUTHSHIRE

30 Days Wild BioBlitz

Find and record the creatures and plants of Magor Marsh with Gwent Wildlife Trust.
(SATURDAY 16th, 11-4)
Bird ringing Tom Marshall
POWYS

Bird ringing demonstration

A fascinating bird ringing demonstration in Deri Woods with Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trust.
(SATURDAY 16th, 8.30-10.30)
Worm in hand

(C) Alan Price

NORTH WALES

Charming Worms

Visit the new wildlife garden at the NWWT Head Office open day, with lots of activities as well as learning all about worms and how to charm them!

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Events in Scotland

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Badger

Andrew Parkinson / 2020VISION

Scotland

Family Badger Watch

Spot badgers in their natural habitats by following a trail of clues to Falls of Clyde's secret badger sett! You might even see other nocturnal animals on this 45 minute walk.

Find out more

Events in Northern Ireland

Great tit nestlings in nest box, The Wildlife Trusts

© Zsuzsanna Bird

Northern Ireland

Build your own wildlife shelter

Ulster Wildlife Trust are celebrating their 40th Anniversary on the Big Wild Weekend! Join them to build your own wildlife shelter, by learning the basic woodwork skills needed to make wildlife homes from bird boxes to hedgehog houses!

Find out more