Heath Week is a family-orientated, free-of-charge, celebratory week aimed purely at spreading the word about our precious local heaths. The events are organised by the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership so that everyone enjoys quality time together outdoors, exploring nature with fun-filled activities to inspire our children.
The events include a treasure hunt, a guided tour of butterflies and getting up close and personal with native amphibians and reptiles. The events start on Monday 29th July and conclude on Sunday 4th August
Sarah Bunce (Communications Officer) from the Thames Basin Heaths Partnership explains more.
The school holidays are almost upon us and that can only mean one thing…it’s time for Heath Week! Monday 29th July to Sunday 4th August. The Thames Basin Heaths Partnership has put together a wonderful line-up of activities, all aimed at introducing our families to the wonders of local heathlands.
The week is packed with free activities that you and your family will love. It’s a brilliant opportunity to spend quality time together, enjoy the great outdoors, and learn about our precious heathlands. Why not embark on an adventurous treasure hunt solving nature-themed clues to win a prize! Or you can explore the beauty of butterflies on a guided tour with someone to help you identify the different species. Or get up close and personal with native amphibians and reptiles.
Details of all the events can be found at: www.tbhpartnership.org.uk/heath-week.
Here’s a taster of the activities. Please do join in the fun, try something new and learn a little about why our local heathlands are so special.
Sensory Scavenger Hunt
Monday 29 July 11 am to 3 pm
Lightwater Country Park
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 11 am and 3 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Bring the family to meet Warden Zoe and try out her “Sensory Scavenger Hunt”. Discover heathland in a different way and get all of your senses tingling.
Butterflies & Other Things with Wings
Tuesday 30 July 10 am to 3 pm
Chobham Common
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 3 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Butterfly walks and arts & crafts activities are available all day! Discover the butterflies and other invertebrates you might find on heathland in summer. If the weather is right, Chobham Common offers excellent opportunities to observe and learn about butterflies, bees, hoverflies and other flying insects, and learn about their special relationships with flowers, grasses and trees etc. In addition to some common butterflies, two rare heathland butterfly species are usually seen.
Wildfire Roadshow
Tuesday 30 July 11 am to 2 pm
Wildmoor Heath, Crowthorne
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 11 am to 2 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Meet the folk that fight the fires! Come along to Wildmoor Heath and find out how the brave firefighters of Crowthorne keep our countryside safe from fires. Clamber into the cab of a fire engine and have a go with some of the equipment they use. Chat to a fire firefighter about how you can keep your countryside and your home safe.
Family Nature Day
Wednesday 31 July 10 am to 1 pm
Yateley Common
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome – Booking essential (details on website)
Hampshire Countryside Service invites you to Yateley Common to enjoy a lovely morning of nature activities. Explore the nature trail, with bug hunting and pond dipping as you go! Or step into our arts & crafts gazebo.
Sensory Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday 31 July 11 am to 3 pm
Horsell Common
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 11 am and 3 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Discover the wonders of Horsell Common and get your senses tingling…follow our sensory heathland trail and you’ll see things in a new way.
Reptile & Amphibian Roadshow
Thursday 1 August 11 am to 3 pm
Ockham Common
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 11 am and 3 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Come and meet the team from Amphibian & Reptile Conservation (ARC). They’ll be showcasing some of our amazing native species with live amphibians and reptiles! There’ll also be a craft table where you can enter ARC’s Heathland Art Competition and take a look at last year’s winners.
Golden Letter Trail
Friday 2 August 10 am to 4 pm
Wildmoor Heath, Crowthorne
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Collect the golden letters to discover a secret word as you journey across the heath. Learn about this rare habitat as you go, and once your quest is complete, come and tell us the golden word…
Treasure Hunt
Saturday 3 August 10 am to 2 pm
Caesar’s Camp, Farnham
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 2 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Interactive heathland treasure hunt. Solve the clues to find the mystery word and win a prize!
Secrets of the Common
Saturday 3 August 10 am to 4 pm
Blackbushe Airport
FREE – Suitable for all – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Come face-to-face with heathland characters from pre-historic to present times. Come and find out how people have lived and worked the heath over thousands of years and how you can play your part today.
Forestry Fun!
Sunday 4 August 10 am to 2 pm
Bramshill Plantation
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 2 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Discover the history of Bramshill Plantation and the birds, reptiles, butterflies and wildflowers that depend on the forest’s habitats. There’ll be a nature trail to explore or you can step into our arts & crafts gazebo for free crafts such as ‘make your own Nightjar nest’ or stone decorating.
Reptile & Amphibian Roadshow
Sunday 4 August 10 am to 3 pm
Yateley Common
FREE – Suitable for all, especially families with school-age children – Drop-in anytime between 10 am and 3 pm – Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome
Say “hello” to native reptiles and amphibians! Meet some of the amazing wild creatures that inhabit your local heath, with the team from HIWARG – Hampshire & Isle of Wight Amphibian & Reptile Group. They’ll be showcasing some of our amazing native species with live amphibians and reptiles! Or you can step into our arts & crafts gazebo for a spot of colouring.