North Pennines NatureFest 2024

22 April 2024

The programme has been launched for the first-ever North Pennines NatureFest – a celebration of the outstanding nature, wildlife, plants, and rocks found in the North Pennines National Landscape and UNESCO Global Geopark.

North Pennines NatureFest is running from Saturday 25 May to Sunday 9 June 2024, during May half term, and has over 20 events spread across the two weeks.

There is a packed programme of fun and informative events, with activities for more experienced nature enthusiasts alongside events aimed at children and families. Events include themed walks, volunteer days, art-based activities, talks, and hands-on activities for children.

At the National Landscape’s Bowlees Visitor Centre in Upper Teesdale, there are volunteer days at the tree nursery, an opportunity to make bug hotels, river dipping, bee walks, and an introductory workshop on geological mapping.

Discover ancient woodlands at Tunstall reservoir and explore how to paint expressively with watercolour to capture the colour and movement of summer hay meadows with local designer and illustrator, Chloe Hedley.

Join in with the ‘Nature on track’ event at the South Tynedale Railway, Alston on Saturday 1 June. There’s no need to book – just turn up between 10am and 3pm for bug hunting, wildlife badge-making, and to discover the birds of the North Pennines. All activities will be suitable for children aged three to eleven.

In the middle weekend (Friday 31 May to Sunday 2 June) we are delighted to be running a ‘Nature camp’ with Doe Park Caravan Site in Teesdale. This event is aimed at families with children – although adults are also welcome. After a welcome on the Friday evening campers will be able to take part in various nature-based activities over the weekend – including bug hunts, trails, den building, walks, and wildlife spotting.

On Tuesday 4 June, staff at RSPB Geltsdale are running ‘Bigger, better, more connected’, a guided walk to see how nature and agriculture can co-exist. Visitors will look at management for breeding waders, the ‘re-wiggling’ of Howgill Beck, grazing cattle with NoFence collars, and the Bruthwaite Forest native woodland planting scheme.

Chris Woodley-Stewart, Director of the North Pennines National Landscape, said: “North Pennines NatureFest is all about shining a light on how special the nature and landscape is in the North Pennines. There’s a wide range of events in the programme, for all ages.  From Teesdale to Weardale, Alston to Nine Standards, and Hexham to RSPB Geltsdale, there are events happening across the whole area. We have some charismatic wildlife here, in some stunning locations, and we hope people come along and enjoy it in the company of some expert guides.”

Discover the full programme at www.NorthPenninesNatureFest.org.uk

ENDS

Notes for editors

For further information, contact the North Pennines National Landscape communications team – communications@northpennines.org.uk / 01388 528801

The North Pennines National Landscape is one of England’s most special places – a peaceful, unspoilt landscape with a rich history and vibrant natural beauty. It was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1988. The purpose of this nationally recognised designation is the conservation and enhancement of the natural beauty of the area.

At almost 2,000 sq. kilometres the North Pennines is the second largest of the 46 National Landscapes (in England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and is one of the most peaceful and unspoilt places in England. Visit https://www.national-landscapes.org.uk/ for information about the National Landscapes family.

The North Pennines lies between the National Parks of the Lake District, the Yorkshire Dales, and Northumberland with the urban centres of County Durham away to the east. Parts of the National Landscape are within the boundaries of four local authorities; Cumberland Council, Durham County Council, Northumberland County Council, and Westmorland & Furness Council.

The North Pennines National Landscape Partnership is an alliance of public, statutory and voluntary sector bodies with an interest in the future of the North Pennines. The work of the partnership is carried out by the National Landscape team which takes action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area, to raise awareness of its special qualities and to improve the quality of life for local people.

UNESCO Global Geopark – As well as being a National Landscape, the North Pennines is a UNESCO Global Geopark. This puts the area’s Geopark status in the same UNESCO family as World Heritage Sites and Biosphere Reserves. UNESCO Global Geoparks are places with outstanding geology where special effort is made to make the most of geological heritage to support community and economy. Locally this includes producing geo-trails, developing projects with school and community groups, producing displays for visitor attractions and holding geology festivals and events.