The Nature Discovery Centre

12/06/2026

Our little secondhand bookcase is very popular, and we're running low on stock. If you have any unwanted good quality adult fiction, children's books or nature-related non-fiction, we'd love new donations.

(Sadly we don't have space for other subject non-fiction books).
🥰

11/06/2026

We are very fortunate to have amazing photographers visit us at the Nature Discovery Centre! Thank-you to Bobby and Bev Hillier, who have allowed us to use this wonderful image of a black-headed gull in flight.

Show us your amazing photos - we love to see them!

10/06/2026

This weekend is our Big Wild Weekend at the Nature Discovery Centre!
Enjoy a range of activities and attractions over the course of the weekend. There's something for all ages to enjoy while exploring and celebrating the natural world during 30 Days Wild.

Saturday 12 June:
🌳Family-friendly nature trail
🦋 Nature-inspired take-home craft activities
🐦‍⬛ Wildlife-themed gifts, crafts, plants, and produce
🦆 Local group stands: Nature and Climate Network, Bonsai Society, Thatcham Historical Society, Hillside Honey

Sunday 13 June:
🌳 Family-friendly nature trail
🦋 Nature-inspired take-home craft activities
🐸 Hands-on pond-dipping sessions
🐦‍⬛ Wildlife-themed gifts, crafts, plants, and produce

Free entry, small charge for the family trail, pond dipping and crafts.

09/06/2026

On Friday afternoon, join local artist Helen Grimbleby for a relaxing afternoon of sketching. Nature journalling or sketch-booking is a low pressure, relaxed approach to drawing and painting, where the focus is on the process of looking, noting and enjoying nature.
No experience or materials required. £25 per person.
More info and booking: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2026-06-12-nature-journalling-taster-workshop-nature-discovery-centre-friday-12-june

Join local artist Helen Grimbleby for a relaxing afternoon of sketching.

07/06/2026

Our monthly Nature Memories Cafe is a drop-in session for people living with dementia, accompanied by their loved ones/carers. The next meet-up is on Tuesday 16 June.
All welcome! 🥰
Details and online booking: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nature-memories-cafe-nature-discovery-centre-tuesday-16-june-2026-tickets-1991270188738?aff=oddtdtcreator
Contact for more information: [email protected]

06/06/2026

Swifts have been loving this drizzly weather today, swooping about, feeding on insects low over the lake and trees.

We're hoping they are also checking out our swift nest boxes, where we're playing swift calls to entice them in to investigate.

Find out more about these fascinating birds: https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/birds/swallows-swift-martins-and-nightjar/swift

02/06/2026

It was an interesting weather day today! Amazing stormy weather after all the heat, and very welcome rainfall. ⛈️

02/06/2026

Join us on 12 June for a relaxing nature journaling workshop at The Nature Discovery Centre as part of 30 Days Wild.

Nature Journaling is a semi-structured way of noticing nature, of slowing down and sketching for anyone, whether you can draw or not!

More info & booking

https://www.bbowt.org.uk/events/2026-06-12-nature-journalling-taster-workshop-nature-discovery-centre-friday-12-june

The Nature Discovery Centre

26/05/2026

Calling all budding artists! Next Tuesday (2 June), join us for a nature-inspired creative experience and develop your watercolour painting skills. In this workshop which draws inspiration from the centre’s immediate surroundings, you will produce a refined painting of a pochard duck to take home. All materials will be provided and no previous experience necessary.
£25 plus booking fee:

Join local artist Michelle White for this nature-inspired creative experience.