The Nature Discovery Centre

09/09/2026

📚️ Calling all summer readers! We're running low on our stocks of pre-loved adult fiction books and would love any of your donations! Also wanted are children's books, nature-related non-fiction and jigsaws. Thank-you! 😘

04/09/2026

🌻 It's been a tough year for gardeners - the hot weather has been a challenge and we're all learning what plants are drought-resistant (the hard way!)

The flower beds around the visitor centre have been tended to by a small army of volunteers, not only our own, but also those from Eight Bells for Mental Health, Thatcham Cancer Support Group and students from Engaging Potential. They've done a great job, keeping as much alive as possible, watering much of the time by using lake water.

Next week we'll be attending the Newbury in Bloom Awards evening - keep your fingers crossed for us! 🥰

02/09/2026

Our team of volunteers spent much of yesterday taking advantage of the low water level in the lake, and worked along the vegetation in front of the patio area, reducing the height of the shrubs.

The before and after photos give a good idea of how much of the view across the lake had been obscured! 🥰

01/09/2026

Getting ready for back to school and missing a water bottle? 🍶 Lost a hat or sunglasses? 😎 We've found a multitude of lost property over the summer and would love to reunite as much as possible!

Please drop in to collect your items or enquire by email at [email protected] with a detailed description.

We will donate or recycle items after three months. 😍

31/08/2026

Monday morning reminder - we're open today! 😍

Today is the last Monday we'll be open, as the kids return to school this week. The visitor centre and cafe will be open from 10am - 4pm today.

We look forward to seeing you!

29/08/2026

Nature Tots is back this week - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday!

🪱 Bring your tots for a wiggly worms themed session at The Nature Discovery Centre from 10am - 11.30pm. Cost is £8 per child.

Details and booking:

Find your local Wildlife Trust event and get stuck in to wild activities, talks, walks and much more.

28/08/2026

Bank holiday weekend is here and we're open every day! Enjoy an end-of-school-hols, low-cost day out:

🦆 Feed the ducks (no bread please, pots of seed available to buy in the shop)
🛝 Play in the playparks
🐝 Explore the nature reserve with our August Holiday trail (£2 per trail sheet)
🍵 Enjoy a freshly-made lunch, drinks and, of course, ice-cream!

Open Sat, Sun and Monday 10am - 4pm
Parking is by donation (£3) and entry is free
We're dog-friendly inside and out (on leads please)

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23/08/2026

🐦‍⬛ Spend an afternoon learning about birds in literature! This Wednesday 26 August, join us for an engaging illustrated talk about how birds have been presented in literature over the years. Why did King Lear call one of his daughters ‘detested kite’? Why does an old sailor feel compelled to talk about an albatross? What’s wrong with Hedwig? Birds have been used by writers for centuries, and their use tells us a lot about the people and birds of the past, and present.

Led by the popular host of Birds and a Brew, Ailsa Claybourne, these sessions promise insight, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on the natural world.

Tickets £12.50 per person. Booking essential:

Birds in Literature: A talk on how birds have been presented in literature over many years of history.

21/08/2026

🥰 Last chance for pond dipping and minibeast hunting this summer!

🪲 Tuesday 25 August - Meadow Minibeast Hunt
🐸 Wednesday 26 August - Pond Dipping
Sessions are at 11am , 12pm and 2pm each day
£6 per child (plus booking fee)
Advance booking: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Find your local Wildlife Trust event and get stuck in to wild activities, talks, walks and much more.

12/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our Solar Eclipse event, we were truly overwhelmed by how many people visited! It was wonderful to see everyone sharing glasses, pinhole boxes and colanders. A huge thank you to Newbury Astronomical Society for attending with their scopes and sharing their knowledge with visitors. 🥰