SEASONAL FUN
Halloween Family Fun
24 October, 10 - 11.30am, Tyland Barn and West Blean and Thornden Woods
Make a spooky animal to take home for Halloween, then crunch through the autumn leaves as we walk to the fire circle for a warming hot chocolate.
© Tom Marshall
Willow Wreath Workshop (for adults)
2 December, 10.30am - 1pm, Tyland Barn
4 December, 10.30am - 1pm, Sevenoaks Visitor Centre
Create a rustic wreath for your front door by weaving a willow base and decorating it with naturally beautiful winter foliage.
Christmas family fun
6 Dec, 10 - 11.30am, Tyland Barn
13 Dec, 10 - 11.30am Sevenoaks VC
Get in the festive spirit in the great
outdoors, with family-friendly
Christmas decoration-making
followed by marshmallow toasting
around a cosy campfire.
The Rewilding Trail
Running throughout December during Sevenoaks VC opening hours
Explore the reserve and find our rewilded species. Once you discover the clues, head back to the Visitor Centre for one last task: colouring in one of our species-shaped Christmas tree decorations! Either take it home or give it to a member of staff to claim your prize and we’ll use it to decorate our Christmas tree.
Please note that any events at Sevenoaks Visitor Centre are subject to the current refurbishment works being completed.
FAMILY EVENTS
Wilder Holiday Club
Hosted at our wonderful wildlife reserves
and nature parks by our dedicated and
passionate education tutors, Wilder Holiday
Club has days packed full of activities
designed to inspire and develop your child’s
love of nature and the great outdoors:
from pond dipping to minibeast hunts,
from woodland crafts to campfires and den
building. With no two days ever the same,
there is sure to be something for everyone!
Birthday parties
Outdoor fun is the name of the game with
Wilder Birthday Parties. With two stunning
locations and seven different party themes
to choose from, there is a birthday party to
suit all outdoor adventurers! Jam-packed
with nature-themed games and activities,
our parties are designed to inspire and
develop children’s love of nature
and the great outdoors.
Home Education Forest School
Sessions run from our Tyland Barn Nature Park, Maidstone.
Join us this autumn for a Forest School designed specifically for home-educated families – it’s den-building, bug-hunting, fire-making, marshmallow-toasting time outside!Forest School activities are proven to improve self-esteem, confidence and resilience and to develop key skills for independent learning.
Children develop skills whilst increasing their knowledge and understanding of the natural world, encouraging a respect for the environmentand a reconnection with nature. Through Forest School, parents and children will share unique experiences and create special memories.
Nature Tots
Inspire a love of nature that lasts a lifetime.
Join us this autumn for Nature Tots – a parent
and toddler group which gives your little ones
the opportunity to explore, discover and learn
from nature in the wonderful surroundings
of our nature reserves. Watch as they grow in
confidence and curiosity, through a variety of
investigation, construction, art and
craft activities.
Nature Tots is open for all pre-school aged children. Six-week programmes run alongside school term times at both our Tyland Barn (Maidstone) and Sevenoaks Wildlife Reserve sites.
WILD ABOUT GARDENS
OPEN GARDENS AND WORKSHOPS
Summer into Autumn
25 September, 11am - 2pm
Tyland Barn, Maidstone
Get started creating a garden with nature
at its heart in this late summer and autumn-themed
workshop. You’ll be guided through
the basics of creating a wildlife-friendly
garden before embarking on a tour of the
gardens at Tyland Barn and trying a handson
activity like sowing seeds, propagating or
building a bug hotel.
Gardening for Wildlife in Winter
6 November, 11am - 2pm
Tyland Barn, Maidstone
Join our gardens team for a winter-themed
workshop where we will tour the gardens
and enjoy a practical activity. We’ll talk about
how you can support nature in your garden
throughout the colder months, as well as
what to plant, and plan for the year to come.
WELLNESS EVENTS
Take some time for yourself this autumn with our wellbeing team. See how forest bathing can lower your heart rate, or try your hand at some mindful nature crafts. Plus, if you’re a smoker wanting to make a change, join us for some free sessions.
Forest Bathing...
... in the Blean
28 Sep, 25 Oct, 29 Nov, 13 Dec
10am - 12.30pm
... at Hothfield
9 Nov, 10am - 12pm
Forest bathing is a meditative practice that gently soothes both body and mind by inviting you to relax and reconnect with nature through all your senses.
Winter wellness Walk and Craft
15 Nov, 10am - 12pm, Tyland Barn
Creativity encourages mindfulness in
nature, using natural materials we find
around us to create some seasonal crafts.
BISON RANGER EXPERIENCES
27 September, 12 & 25 October, 8 & 23 November, 13 & 28 December, 10am - 2pm
Spend a morning with one of the Bison Rangers, discovering all the latest updates from this pioneering project, and join them to try tracking the Wilder Blean herd in West Blean and Thornden Woods.
STUDY DAYS AND COURSES
Attend a Study Day or course to increase your knowledge and enjoyment of Kent’s wildlife. This is just a small selection of events we have available – you can view all our Study Days and Courses below.
Botany Evening Classes
23 Sep - 2 Dec, 6.30 - 8.30pm
Tyland Barn, Maidstone
25 Sep - 4 Dec, 6 - 8pm
Canterbury Christ Church University
Learn how to confidently identify and record plants. You’ll be able to identify plants in families and genera by the use of keys, specimens and descriptions. Learn how to confidently identify and record plants. You’ll be able to identify plants in families and genera by the use of keys, specimens and descriptions.
Fungi for Beginners
11 October, 10am - 3pm
Tyland Barn & Local sites
A simple guide to fungi groups and
classifications and the features to look out for.
Fungi Identification for Improvers in the Field
29 October, 10am - 3pm
Sissinghurst Castle
8 November, 10am - 3pm
Lullingstone Country Park
Improve your fungi identification
skills in the field.
Habitat Classification (UKHab) Online Training Course
27 October & 17 November
10am - 3.30pm
Online
An online training day on the UK Habitat Classification, a new comprehensive classification system for vegetation habitats used in conservation and land management.
Bird of Prey Identification
25 November, 10am - 4pm
Elmley National Nature Reserve
Spend a day observing birds of prey.
Learn how to identify different species
and discover more about their
characteristics, habitats and behaviour.
GIFT GUIDE
Christmas Cards
It’s never too early to start thinking about
Christmas! Our adorable cards feature
Kent’s iconic species and their own special
wish lists for what they need to thrive.
Available individually or save 20% when
you buy 25 or more. Share the wild spirit of
Christmas with your loved ones!
Jams and preserves
Add a taste of Kent to your kitchen
with our delicious range of jams and
preserves. Featuring flavours like
raspberry, strawberry, rhubarb &
ginger and apricot - all locally made
with love.
Enjoy our 3-for-2 offer
until 31 October and stock up
on the perfect festive treats!
Socks
Is it really Christmas if you don’t get socks?
Our soft, sustainable bamboo socks
are the perfect stocking filler, featuring
beautiful designs like damselflies,
butterflies, fungi and bees. Treat your
feet - or someone else’s - to a little wild
comfort this festive season and celebrate
nature with every step!
Christmas Jumpers
Our made-to-order Christmas jumpers
feature fun, nature-inspired designs that
celebrate Kent’s iconic wildlife. Cosy,
cheerful and full of seasonal charm,
they’re perfect for showing your wild side
this winter. Order now and wear your love
for nature with pride!
