Wokingham

Nature Workshops for Children

Fun and informative ranger-led sessions lasting approximately 1½ hours.

The workshops are only suitable for children of five and over. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet: café garden Dinton Pastures or play area California Country Park

Time: 11am and 2pm

Cost: £2

Please book in advance by emailing countryside@wokingham.gov.uk or calling 0118 934 2016

Pond Dipping

Dip and find the amazing and sometimes crazy swimmers and crawlers that live in our lake at Tufty’s Corner, Dinton Pastures Country Park

Thurs 9 Aug

Tues 14 Aug

Thurs 23 Aug

Life in the Undergrowth: Minibeast Hunting

Sweep, seek, and peek at bugs, slugs, and other creepy-crawlies living in California Country Park’s many woods and meadows

Tues 7 Aug

Wed 15 Aug

Crafty Tales

Mon 6 August

Ranger-led storytelling and puppet-making activity; learn about food chains with ‘The Old Woman who Swallowed a Fly’. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Meet: Arborfield Container Library, Parish Council Car Park, Swallowfield Road, Arborfield

Time: 2pm-2.45pm and 3pm-3.45pm

Cost: Free

Please book in advance by calling Spencers Wood Library 0118 988 4771

National Moth Night

Sat 11 August

Join members of the British Entomological and Natural History Society and Berkshire Moth Group to discover some of our amazing moths.

Meet: Loddon Room, Dinton Pastures Country Park

Time: 8.30pm

Cost: Free

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Bird Walk

Sun 12 August

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life, which is attracted to the reed bed, shallow scrapes, and quiet surroundings. Two hides are available for viewing across the reserve. Join the Friends of Lavell’s Lake for a walk around the Park.

Meet: at Sandford Lane car park opposite the Black Swan Sailing Club

Time: 9am-12 noon (approx)

Cost: Free to Friends of Lavell’s Lake members; suggested donation of £1 for non-members

Children’s Wet and Wild Watersports Activity Week

Mon 20 - Fri 24 August

Come and join Adventure Plus for a mixture of activities including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and fencing. All taught by qualified instructors. Two age groups: 9-12yrs and 13-16yrs.

Meet: Black Swan Sailing Club, Sandford Lane, Hurst

Time: 9.30am-4.30pm

Cost: £39 per day or £165 for all five days

For more information or to book a place, contact Adventure Plus on 01993 703 308 or email blackswan@adventureplus.org.uk

Vegetable and Plant Sale and Swap

Tues 21 August

Got a glut of beans? Over run with rhubarb? Perhaps you’ve got more cuttings and seedlings than you know what to do with? Then why not bring them along to trade with other gardeners. Jams, pickles, and chutneys also welcome! Nothing to swap? Don’t worry: a wide variety of plants and veg will also be on sale.

Meet: café garden, Dinton Pastures Country Park

Time: 5pm-7pm

Cost: Free

Summer Orchid Fayre

Sat 25 & Sun 26 August

Come and see thousands of orchids in flower from the bizarre to the most exquisite! A huge variety of orchids will be available from top Orchid Growers from around the world. Displays, demonstrations, and advice also available.

Meet: Orchid marquee, Dinton Pastures Country Park

Time: Saturday 9am-5pm Sunday, 9am-4pm

Cost: Car park £2

Contact Janet Plested of The British Orchid Growers’ Association on 01276 32947 or email plestedorchids@ aol.com

Friends of Lavell’s Lake Work Party

Sun 26 August

Lavell’s Lake is rich in bird life and monthly practical tasks help to encourage even more birds and other wildlife to visit. Friends of Lavell’s Lake is a registered charity, (no rangers on these tasks).

Meet: at Sandford Lane car park opposite Black Swan Sailing Club

Time: 10am till lunchtime (refreshments provided at tea break!)

Cost: Free

Summer Treasure Hunt

Wed 29 August

You will need all your senses to follow this exciting trail around Dinton Pastures and complete the challenges set.  Suitable for all the family. 

Meet: Pick up your map and clues from the café garden, Dinton Pastures Country Park

Time: Anytime between 1pm and 3pm

Cost: £2 per child

Lynn Yardley     lynn.yardley@wokingham.gov.uk
Countryside Ranger (Education and Interpretation)
Wokingham Borough Council Countryside Service, Dinton Pastures Country Park, Davis Street, Hurst, Berkshire RG10 0TH
Tel: 0118 9342016, Fax 0118 9341987
Taking Care of Your Countryside