TravelPlaces To GoSummer nights with the National Trust… where the wild things are Summer nights with the National Trust… where the wild things are
21/06/2010
Gaze at the night sky this July and August and experience a wealth of amazing sights. The National Trust have top spots for star gazing as well as locations just perfect for seeing nocturnal wildlife.
Stay up late, walk into wild landscapes and enjoy big open skies. On a clear night you can see thousands of stars, as well as galaxies and planets sparkling in the universe.
Join a bat walk where you’ll see and hear these amazing nocturnal mammals. Or take part in a wildlife walk and spot other creatures of the night, including birds, moths and glow worms.
Here’s a selection of some of the magical night-time events taking place this summer across England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
Anglesey Abbey, Gardens and Lode Mill, Cambridgeshire
Moonlight and Moths, 26 June 6pm – 27 June 10.30am
Ever wondered what the garden looks like during the evening and which animals call it home? Now’s your chance to find out; join our overnight wildlife watch. Pack a tent and bring along a picnic to enjoy this unique opportunity to stay overnight and explore the grounds with our experts.
Admission charges are as follows: £28 adult, £16.80 child, £72.80 family, £44.80 family (1 adult); to include camping, moth trapping, activities and breakfast.
Picnic hampers are available from the restaurant. Call 01223 810092 to pre-order.
Booking is essential, please call 01223 810080.
Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire
Night time wildlife walk, 09 July 9pm - 12pm
Join us for an evening of night time discovery on the Ashridge Estate. Enjoy a talk by a local wildlife expert Brian Barton, followed by a guided walk with our National Trust wardens. Listen for 'glis glis' in the woods, use ultrasonic bat detectors to identify where bats are feeding, and learn about other mysterious nocturnal creatures. Then enjoy a moth-trapping session with Bucks Moth Group in the woods.
Admission charges are £8 adult and £4 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01442 851227.
Belton House, Lincolnshire
Bat walk & talk, 20 August 8pm - 10.30pm
Join the Lincolnshire Bat Group for an evening walk to discover the many fascinating varieties of bat which frequently visit Belton at night. Outdoor clothing and robust footwear is essential and please also bring a torch.
This event is suitable for seven years and over.
Admission charges are £7 adult and £3.50 child.
Proceeds will be split with the Lincolnshire Bat Group.
Booking is essential, please call 01476 566116.
Box Hill, Surrey
Glow worms and nightlife - Headley Heath, 09 July 10pm - 11.30pm
Join us for a night time ramble across the heath to look for luminous glow worms, bats, toads and other nocturnal inhabitants. Finish with hot soup provided by the Friends of Headley Heath.
Admission charges are £5 adult and £2.50 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01372 220644.
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire
Bat and moth event, 24 August 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Join our wardens to search for these fascinating creatures that are hidden to our daytime visitors. Meet in the stable yard for a snack before the walk begins as darkness falls.
Admission charges are £7.50 adult and £3.50 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01332 863822.
Carding Mill Valley & the Shropshire Hills, Shropshire
Shooting stars, the Perseid Shower, 12 August 8pm - 12pm
Come and witness a magical spectacle, the dramatic Perseid meteor shower, plus planets, constellations, and satellites. There'll also be an introductory talk in the chalet pavilion, whilst having a delicious bowl of soup. Then head for the top of the Long Mynd to explore the sky.
Admission charges are £6.50 per person.
Booking is essential, please call 01694 722631.
Hot drinks will be available to buy. If it is cloudy it may be moved to Friday or Saturday.
Charlecote Park, Warwickshire
Bat walk, 03 and 14 July 8.30pm - 10.30pm
Enjoy wandering the grounds at night looking for these fascinating creatures. The walk is lead by volunteers from Warwickshire Bat Group who will answer all you questions on these night-time creatures.
Admission charges are £5 per person.
Booking is essential, please call 01789 470 277.
Colby Woodland Garden, Pembrokeshire
Twilight woodland walk, 25 August 7pm - 9pm
Discover what comes out at night in the woods as the light fades and darkness falls. A fascinating family-friendly evening walk in conjunction with the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, led by community ranger Kiri Howells. Drink and biscuits included.
Admission charges are £3.50 adult and £2 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01834 811885.
Dunham Massey, Cheshire
Family bat night, 20 July and 02 August 8.30pm - 10pm
Enjoy batty games, quizzes and fun, then a walk in the park to seek our nocturnal residents.
Admission charges are £8 adult and £4 child (0 - 18 years).
Booking is essential, please call 0161 941 1025.
Fontmell and Melbury Downs, Dorset
Glow worm hunt, 16 July 9.30pm - 11pm
Discover the secrets of dusk on the down-land and view one of the best displays of glow worms in the south west.
Admission charges are £4 adult and £1 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01672 539167.
Ickworth House, Park & Gardens, Suffolk
Evening bat walk, 25 August 8pm - 10pm
Discover the difference between the calls of a Pipestrelle and a Daubenton bat; learn about their habitat and what we can do to improve it. Understand why Ickworth is one of the premiere bat sites in the UK. After the walk enjoy a hot drink and a piece of yummy cake.
Admission charges are £10 adult.
Booking is essential, please call 01284 735961.
Killerton, Devon
Bat and moth walk, 19 August 7pm - 10.30pm
Join an evening walk with a Killerton warden in Killerton’s parkland. Meet Killerton’s colony of rare Lesser Horseshoe bats and meet their dinner- the moths.
Admission charges are £4.50 adult, £2.50 child and £12 family.
Please bring a torch and wear sturdy footwear.
Booking is essential, please call 01392 881345.
Kingston Lacy, Dorset
Bat hunt walk, 12 July 9pm - 10.30pm
Spot and hear bats at White Mill with a countryside warden.
Admission charges are £5 adult and £2 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01202 883402 (line 8).
Lyme Park, Cheshire
Bat Walk, 10 and 17 August 8pm - 10pm
Seek out our nocturnal residents on an evening walk in the park.
Admission charges are £8 adult and £4 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01663 762023.
Malham Tarn Estate, North Yorkshire
Guided bat walk, 17 and 24 August 8pm - 10pm
View our nocturnal woodlanders around Malham Tarn. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Meet at Estate Office, Waterhouses, Malham Tarn SD 885674.
Admission charges are £4 adult and £2 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01729 830416.
Minnowburn, Co. Down
Minnowburn bat night, 06 August 9.30pm - 11pm
Join us as we look at many of the bat species that inhabit the woods and waterways of Minnowburn.
Please bring a torch.
Admission charges are £3 adult and £1.50 child.
Booking is advisable, please call 028 9064 7787.
Plymbridge and the Upper Plym, Devon
The Nightjar flies at night, 19 August 9pm - 11pm
Come with us on a walk in the woods to hear and see this shy but amazing bird.
Admission charges are £4 adult and £2 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01752 341377.
Polesden Lacey, Surrey
Wild child: bat walks, 26 July and 2, 23 and 30 August 8.45pm - 10.15pm
Our bat walks return again this summer so that you can visit Polesden Lacey by night ... spooky. Join our Warden for an exciting evening searching out these wonderful creatures as they flit and flap across the night sky. Bring a torch and wrap up warm. Early booking recommended.
This event is not suitable for children under five years.
Admission charges are £8 adult and £4 child.
Booking is essential, please call 01372 452048.
Sheringham Park, Norfolk
Bat and moth night, 02 July 8.30pm - 10.45pm
Take an evening stroll with our warden to learn about the species of bats and moths in the park when they are most active.
Suitable for adults and older children.
Admission charges are £5.50 adult.
Booking is essential, please call 01263 820550.
Springhill, Co. Londonderry
Batty bonanza, 27 August 7.30pm - 9pm
A night of fun for all the family. Come and learn more about the bats that fly around Springhill and then make something batty to take home.
Admission charges are £5 adult, £3 child and £13 family.
Booking is advisable, please call 028 8674 8210.
Stonehenge Landscape, Wiltshire
Meteor shower night walk, 12 August 8.30pm - 10.30pm
With the weather and the heavens on our side, join us on a night walk to discover the Stonehenge landscape, rich in archaeology, wildlife and stories. Open your eyes to the amazing night sky and look for star patterns, discover ideas of ancient astronomy and hopefully be enthralled by the Perseid meteor shower, due to be at peak activity on this evening.
Admission charges for adults are £4.
For more information please call 01980 664780.
The Vyne, Hampshire
Bat walk, 25 July 8pm - 10pm
Join our Warden for a fascinating insight into this amazing creature and its habitat.
Admission charges for all are £8 per person.
Booking is essential, please call 01256 883858.