Discovery Days at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, Fakenham – Wednesdays, 10am-12.30pm
29 July 2024 – Local families and visitors to Norfolk can get closer to nature this summer with a range of low-cost ‘drop-in’ activities on offer throughout the school holidays at the Hawk and Owl Trust’s Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve in Fakenham, North Norfolk.
Running every Wednesday from July 24th to August 28th from 10am to 12:30pm, the ‘Discovery Days’ summer holiday programme will include a range of interactive and educational activities aimed at connecting children and adults with the natural world. Visitors will be able to explore the wonders of nature through pond-dipping, bug hunts, woodland activities, nature crafts, guided bird watching and an intriguing nature trail, all facilitated and led by the reserve’s dedicated activities staff and volunteers. While the Discovery Days are particularly suited to primary school-aged children (3-11 years), children and teenagers of all ages are welcome to join the fun.
Each Discovery Day is £6 per participating child with accompanying adults free of charge. These are drop-in events so there is no booking needed. The Sculthorpe site is fully accessible and can accommodate the specific needs of children.
Participants will also have access to the entire 200-acre nature reserve for the rest of the day, allowing families to explore its beauty at their own pace. Visitors are welcome to bring their own packed lunch and enjoy picnicking in a serene natural setting.
"The Discovery Days are a fantastic opportunity for families to immerse themselves in the wonders of nature in this vibrant corner of Norfolk as they unwind from a busy school year," says Victoria Chamberlin, Education and Activities Officer at Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve.
"Our goal is to provide children and their families with memorable experiences that foster a lifelong love and appreciation for the natural world. With a variety of low-cost, accessible activities and resources available throughout the summer, there’s something for everyone to enjoy."
Look, listen, touch: self-guided sensory trail and family resources available daily
With Sculthorpe Moor open daily to visitors throughout the year, the Discovery Days are just one of the many ways in which families and individuals can explore the reserve this summer. New to Sculthorpe this summer are interpretation boards dotted around the reserve, offering a sensory exploration of the self-guided family trail while learning more about the fantastic wildlife to be found along the way.
The ever-popular ‘spotter sheets’ will also be available for free from the visitor centre to keep children engaged and enhance their learning as they try to spot some of the reserve’s varied species of birds, mammals, amphibians and insects.
Wildlife at Sculthorpe
Visitors to Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve this summer will be able to experience the beauty of the varied pond life, including stickleback fish, newts, dragonflies, butterflies and damson flies, and have the chance to spot creatures nestled in the reserve’s meadow, wood, fen and wetland habitats, such as frogs, wild fowl, egrets and kingfishers.
About Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve
The Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve, located near Fakenham in the Wensum Valley in North Norfolk, welcomes visitors to 200 acres dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, with seven hides across a range of managed landscapes, including meadow, wood, fen and wetlands habitats. The conservation site is open all year round from 9 am – 4 pm daily.
To plan your visit to Sculthorpe Moor nature reserve, visit: https://sculthorpe.hawkandowltrust.org/