Hardwick Park events

Little Fledglings Forest School - sold out

Little Fledglings Forest School is currently fully booked, you can join our waiting list by Contact Parks and countryside education officer.

Little Fledglings Forest School is aimed at children aged between 18 months and five years old. During the six week programme, each child moves at their own pace, supported each week by our Forest School Practitioner. The school aims to inspire children through nature, building their confidence and self-esteem and encouraging individual growth. Whether children are building, climbing, bug hunting or making mud pies; children will learn through play in the great outdoors with the park as their playground. Children must be accompanied by an adult each week.

Dates: seasonal programme running for 6 weeks in total
Time: 10.00am to 12 noon
Location: Outdoor Learning Area at Hardwick Park
Price: £48 includes parking passes for each week you attend.

Step into story time: We're Going on an Egg Hunt - sold out

Outdoor discovery sessions for the under fives with storytelling, crafts, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

Date: Saturday 12 April 2025
Time: 10.00am and 1.00pm

Cheeky Chicks Trail  

Date: Saturday 12 April to Sunday 27 April
Price: £1 per trail sheet from, purchase from café during opening hours.

Easter Forest Club - Extra session added

Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children about the natural world around them, aimed at children between ages two and six (older siblings are welcome to purchase a ticket to join in but please contact us prior to booking). This session will include a hot chocolate Easter treat. Outdoor clothing is required. 

Date: Tuesday 15 April - Sold Out 
Time: 10.00am to 12 noon - Sold out. 1.00pm- 3.00pm (extra session added due to popular demand)
Price: £8.50 per child, must be accompanied by an adult.

Forest Club

Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children with the world around them through natural and play based activities. The programme is aimed at children between two and six years of age. Each session will include a different  element or skill. 

Pre booking is required. Older brothers and sisters are welcome to buy a ticket to join in, but please Contact Parks and countryside education officer prior to booking

Dates:

Tuesday 15 April 2025 (hot chocolate) - sold out
Tuesday 27 May 2025 (whittling) - sold out
Tuesday 29 July 2025 (toasting)- sold out 
Tuesday 26 August 2025 (hammers)
Tuesday 28 October 2025 (marshmallow toasting)

Time: 10.00am to 12 noon
Price: £8.50 per child per session, must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Hardwick Park outdoor learning area

The Great Easter Escape

Can your family escape the woodland at Hardwick Park this Easter in the Great Easter Escape? Families will need to work together to crack the codes and help the Easter bunny who needs your help. Take part in a range of challenges and games cracking codes to move on to the next section of the workshop. 

Date: Thursday 17 April 2025
Times: workshops between 10.00am and 4.00pm 
Price: family ticket price £20 per family (up to six people and must include one adult)

Passport to Nature: Early bird Spring Walk

Spring is awakening at Hardwick Park, and there's no better way to greet the season than with an early morning stroll through the park. Join us for a peaceful walk as we explore the sights and sounds of nature's awakening, from the first bird song of the season to the nest building residents. Whether you or your family are nature lovers, bird watchers, or just looking to start your day with a breath of fresh air, this walk is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Hardwick Park.

Date: Tuesday 22 April 2025
Times: 7.00am to 9.00am 
Price: £8.50 per person or family ticket price £18 (four people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. All children must be aged eight and above.

Passport to Nature: May Dawn Chorus Walk (half term event)

As the seasons change, Hardwick Park comes alive with the sounds of the season's first birdsong. Join us for a special early morning walk to experience the breathtaking May Dawn Chorus. From robins to warblers, you'll be treated to the symphony of birds as they sing to greet the day. This peaceful, guided walk is the perfect way to start your day and connect with nature in one of the most beautiful times of the year.

Date: Friday 23 May 2025
Times: 5.00am to 7.00am
Price: £8.50 per person or family ticket price £18 (four people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. All children must be aged eight and above.

May Forest Club (half term event)

Forest Club is a hands-on experience designed to engage children about the natural world around them, aimed at children between ages two and six (older siblings are welcome to purchase ticket to join in but please Contact Parks and countryside education officer prior to booking). This session will include trying out some whittling. Outdoor clothing is required.

Date: Tuesday 27 May 2025
Time: 10.00am to 12 noon
Price: £8.50 per child, must be accompanied by an adult. 

Mini Makers (half term event)

Build it, make it, grow it! Help the animals and plants in both your garden and the park this May as we celebrate National Children's Gardening Week. Children are invited to join our Mini Makers workshop to get hands on with a selection of self-build gardening projects which can be taken home. All materials are provided.  Younger children are welcome however would require more adult support to complete some of the projects. 

Date: Thursday 29 May 2025
Times: 10.00am to 12 noon and 1.00pm to 3.00pm 
Price: £12 per child, must be accompanied by an adult 

Passport to Nature: Moth Morning and Butterfly Walk (half term event)

Discover the wonderful wildlife at Hardwick Park as it comes alive with the fluttering of moths and butterflies. Join us for a morning walk to uncover the fascinating world of these delicate creatures. Start the day with a visit to our moth trap to see what's been caught overnight, followed by a leisurely butterfly walk through the park's meadows and woodlands. Whether you're a seasoned nature enthusiast or new to the world of moths and butterflies, this event is the perfect chance to learn from experts and enjoy the beauty of these important pollinators.

Date: Friday 30 May 2025
Times: 9.00am to 11.00am 
Price: £8.50 per person or family ticket price £18 (four people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be aged eight and above.

Passport to Nature: Bat Walk

As night falls, Hardwick Park transforms into a haven for bats, and this is your chance to discover these fascinating creatures in their natural habitat. Join us for an evening bat walk, where you'll learn about the different bat species that call the park home and the crucial conservation efforts being made to protect them. You'll use special equipment to track the bats' movements and hear their distinctive calls. Whether you're a first-time bat spotter or a seasoned enthusiast, this is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about these nocturnal wonders.

Date: Friday 13 June 2025
Times: 8.30pm to 10.30pm 
Price: £8.50 per person or family ticket price £18 (four people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult. Children must be aged eight and above.

Passport to Nature: Pond Dipping and Identification (Summer holiday event)

Join the education team for a pond dipping session as we explore the hidden aquatic world beneath the surface. Discover and identify the creatures living in the water and uncover fascinating species ranging from tadpoles to water beetles. Whether you're a budding naturalist, an avid nature enthusiast, or simply looking for a unique outdoor adventure, this event offers the perfect opportunity to connect with the wildlife of Hardwick Park and enjoy a morning immersed in nature's wonders.

Date: Friday 25 July 2025
Times: 8.30pm to 10.30pm 
Price: £8.50 per person or Family ticket price £18 (Four people with at least one adult and a child under 16) All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age of participants: Six years and above.

Passport to Nature: Bat and Moth Evening (Summer holiday event)

As the sun sets and the night comes alive, join the education team at Hardwick Park to explore the mysterious world of bats and moths. Discover the wonders of these nocturnal creatures, learn about the vital roles they play in our ecosystem and gain insight into their fascinating behaviours. Whether you're an avid nature enthusiast, a family seeking a fun evening adventure, or simply curious about the hidden nightlife of Hardwick Park, this evening promises to be an unforgettable experience. 

Date: Friday 1 August 2025 
Times: 7.30pm to 10.00pm 
Price: £8.50 per person or Family ticket price £18 (Four people with at least one adult and a child under 16) All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age of participants: six years and above.

Passport to Nature: Moth Trapping 

Join the education team for a fascinating moth trapping experience as we explore the park, unveiling the incredible diversity of moth species that call Hardwick Park home. Whether you're a budding entomologist, a nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the creatures that emerge when the sun sets, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the natural world in a whole new way. Discover both day and night flying moths and see firsthand how a moth trap safely attracts them for you to view. 

Date: Monday 1 September 2025
Times: 10.00am to 12.00pm (noon) 
Price: £8.50 per person or Family ticket price £18 (Four people with at least one adult and a child under 16) All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age of participants: Six years and above. 

Passport to Nature: Wildfowl identification 

As autumn fades and winter takes hold, there's no better time to discover the fascinating world of wildfowl at Hardwick Park. Join the education team and explore the park's tranquil waters and wetlands, identifying a variety of wildfowl as they return to their seasonal home. From the vibrant colours of migrating ducks to the graceful flight patterns of newly arrived geese, this is a unique opportunity to witness the beauty of these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. Whether you're an avid bird watcher, a nature enthusiast, or simply seeking a peaceful start to your day, this event offers a chance to connect with nature and learn more about the incredible species that grace Hardwick Park.

Date: Friday 31 October 2025 
Times: 7.00am to 9.00am 
Price: £8.50 per person or Family ticket price £18 (Four people with at least one adult and a child under 16) All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age of participants: Six years and above. 

Passport to Nature: Winter Wildlife Walk 

It might be cold outside but that doesn't stop the wildlife at Hardwick Park!  Join the education team as we explore the park's tranquil beauty, from the rustling of winter leaves to the tracks left by the park's wildlife. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, wildlife observer, or simply looking to enjoy the fresh winter air, this walk offers a peaceful opportunity to reconnect with nature. Wrap up warm and immerse yourself in the winter wonderland of Hardwick Park.

Date: Friday 12 December  
Times: 7.00am to 9.00am 
Price: £8.50 per person or Family ticket price £18 (Four people with at least one adult and a child under 16) All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age of participants: Eight years and above. 

Self-led Love Exploring trails

Download the love exploring app for free Download the Love Exploring app. We recommend all those who already have the app to update to the latest version of the platform when prompted. Love Exploring is compatible with most but not all mobile phones. Please check you can access all features of the trails before you visit.

Roman game

Try our bespoke new game to learn more about Hardwick Park's East Park and the unique Roman settlement that was found there. See roman buildings rise up from the ground and meet roman characters all in augmented reality. You can also try our games which include shaping a roman pot, solving a bronze making puzzle, and constructing iron tools all through your mobile phone. East Park is found by going through the underpass near the Hardwick Park Tower and Dragon. It is a field with rough paths and we recommend sensible footwear.