We hold events throughout the year, from willow-weaving workshops to wildflower identification courses. Two events have been held every year, a 'fungus foray' in October/November and the 'New Year Plant Hunt' in early January (full details of our New year Plant Hunts over the last ten years can be found here). The highlight for 2026 will be our third Really Wild Flower Show, to be held as part of the Natural Surroundings Wildflower Festival over the weekend of Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th June. Full details here.
For further information and bookings email: wildlife@naturalsurroundings.info or call on 01263 711091
2026-2027 WINTER EVENTS CALENDAR
OCTOBER
Sunday 11th Bayfield Estate Guided Walk
10.30am - 12.30pm. A gentle stroll around this scenic estate with Simon harrap, timed to coincide with the autumn colour on the many different species of tree and shrub. £15.00 per person (£10 for children 7-17, not suitable for very small children), booking essential.
Wednesday 28th Fungus Foray
10.30am to around 1.30pm. Search for fungi, large and small, and listen to fungi tales with our friend (and the best fungi teacher we know) Dr Tony Leech. No charge, no need to book, but garden entry fee applies.
NOVEMBER
Saturday 14th Natural Surroundings craft morning
10.30am-1.30pm. The second in a new series of Saturday morning crafting sessions - themed as a celebration of flora; create and take home up to three items. All materials supplied.
Cost: £30.00, refreshments included. Booking essential
Saturday 21st At NWT Norwich Wild by Design, St Andrews Halls, Norwich
10am-4pm. Natural Surroundings will be joining Norfolk Wildlife Trust, artists, designers, conservationists and more for Wild by Design, which forms part of Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s centenary celebrations. A free, drop-in festival celebrating nature, creativity and big ideas! More details here.
Saturday 28th Willow workshop - small items
10.30am-2pm. Join our expert Larry to learn how to make a number of small gift items from willow (e.g. christmas trees, reindeer, mushrooms, simple small baskets). All materials supplied.
Cost:£50.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.
DECEMBER
Saturday 14th Winter Trees Guided Walk
11.00am-1.00pm. Natural Surroundings holds a very wide range of native trees and shrubs plus a few ‘exotics’. The winter months, without distracting leaves and flowers, is a great time to get to grips with the overall shape of the trees, as well as the bark, twigs and buds, which in many species are distinctive.
£10 plus garden entry. Booking essential.
Saturday 12th Natural Surroundings craft morning
10.30am-1.30pm. The third in the series of Saturday morning crafting sessions - the theme today is festivities; create and take home up to three items. All materials supplied.
Cost:£30.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.
Saturday 12th Charcoal burn
We will be firing up our small charcoal burner around 9am and then tending it throughout the day until the process of ‘cooking’ the wood to make charcoal is complete. Come and see this ancient process in action. No charge, no need to book.
JANUARY
Saturday 2nd New Year Plant Hunt
10.30am to around 1.30pm. Once again we will be taking part in this national event, organised by the Botanical Society of Britain & Ireland (BSBI).We will take a stroll around our gardens and reserve and then down the valley to Glandford, looking for as many wild plants in flower as possible.
No charge, no need to book.
Saturday 16th Willow workshop - obelisks
10.30am-2pm. Join our expert Larry to learn how to make a obelisks for the garden. All materials supplied.
Cost:£50.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.
Saturday 23th Natural Surroundings craft morning
10.30am-1.30pm. The forth in the series of Saturday morning crafting sessions - the theme today is fauna; create and take home up to three items. All materials supplied.
Cost:£30.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.
FEBRUARY
Wednesday 17th Winter trees guided walk
11.00am-1.00pm. Natural Surroundings holds a very wide range of native trees and shrubs plus a few ‘exotics’. The winter months, without distracting leaves and flowers, is a great time to get to grips with the overall shape of the trees, as well as the bark, twigs and buds, which may now be starting to swell and burst!
£10 plus garden entry. Booking essential.
Saturday 20th Natural Surroundings craft morning
10.30am-1.30pm. The fifth in the series of Saturday morning crafting sessions - the theme today is fantasy; create and take home up to three items. All materials supplied.
Cost:£30.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.
Sunday 21 Working with willow - hurdles
10.30am-2pm. Join our expert Larry to learn how to make small hurdles for the garden. All materials supplied.
Cost:£50.00, refreshments included. Booking essential.