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Hardwick Park events


Hardwick Park is a country park with a difference, a Visit England accredited attraction, and a great place to visit at any time of the year. Find the latest park news and details of our current events and activities.

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.

During the 6 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.
Age: 18 months to 5 years old

Step into Storytime: Superworm

Outdoor discover sessions involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

Date: Saturday 17 May 2025
Times: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Price: £7 per child 
Age: 5 years old and under

Passport to Nature: May Dawn Chorus Walk

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.
Age: all children must be aged 8 and above.

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 27 May 2025 (whittling) - sold out
Tuesday 27 May 2025 (whittling) - extra event added - 1.00pm to 3.00pm
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

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 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 8 years old.

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 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 8 years old.

Step into Storytime: Colour Monster

Outdoor discover sessions involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

Date: Saturday 14 June 2025
Times: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Price: £7 per child 
Age: 5 years old and under

Step into Storytime: The Three Little Pigs

Outdoor discover sessions involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

Date: Saturday 5 July 2025
Times: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Price: £7 per child 
Age: 5 years old and under

Passport to Nature: pond dipping and identification

Join us 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 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 6 years old

Passport to Nature: bat and moth evening (Summer holiday event)

As the sun sets and the night comes alive, join us 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 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 6 years old

Hardwick Conservation Champions 2025

Become a Durham Countryside Conservation Champion this Summer through our park experience. Engage in a range of activities exploring the park, discovering new friendships and interests and contribute to looking after the environment within our much-loved Hardwick Park. There will be interactive games, free time, creative activities, as well as conservation tasks to help nurture and develop a love and respect for green spaces. A full week of attendance will also earn a Durham Countryside Conservation Champions Certificate while those attending for a day or two will become Hardwick Heroes.

Pre booking is required. 

Dates: Monday 4 August 2025 to Friday 8 August 2025
Times: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Price: £125 for all 5 days, or £25 for individual days. Early drop off (8.30am) - £2.50 extra per child, late pick up (4.30pm) - £2.50 extra per child.
Age: 11 to 16 years old

Hardwick Holiday Club 2025

Join us this August for Hardwick Holiday Club. Each day will offer opportunities to explore and discover a range of outdoor adventures while making new friends, playing games, and learning new skills. Holiday Club will include a themed morning followed by a free play afternoon.

Pre booking is required. 

Dates:

Monday 11 August (Natural Play Day): Create and play games in and using the natural environment.
Tuesday 12 August (Mini Makers): Investigate and make items to help the wildlife whether it be minibeasts, birds or plants.
Wednesday 13 August (Lost and Found): Adventures, treasure hunts and games galore.
Thursday 14 August (Art Outdoors): Get creative outdoors with a whole host of arty fun.
Friday 15 August (Wilderness Survival): Dens, fires, and other survival skills to learn and enjoy.

Time: 9.00am to 4.00pm
Price: £25 per child per day. Early drop off (8.30am) - £2.50 extra per child, late pick up (4.30pm) - £2.50 extra per child.
Age: 5 to 11 years old

Contact Parks and Countryside Education Officer with any Holiday Club queries.

Step into Storytime: Norman the slug with the silly shell

Outdoor discover sessions involving storytelling, crafts activities, interactive trails, games and woodland play.

Date: Tuesday 19 August 2025
Times: 10.00am to 1.00pm
Price: £7 per child 
Age: 5 years old and under

Passport to Nature: moth trapping 

Join us 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 noon
Price: £8.50 per person or family ticket price £18 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 6 years old 

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 us 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 (4 people with at least one adult and a child under 16). All under 18's must be accompanied by an adult.
Minimum age: 6 years old 

Passport to Nature: Winter wildlife walk 

It might be cold outside but that does not 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: 8 years old 

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.

    Visitor Attraction Quality Marque
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    In partnership with

    • Visitor Attraction Quality Marque
    • Love Exploring
    

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