Norfolk Green Care Festival 2023

A county-wide celebration of nature and people!

Saturday 22nd July to Sunday 6th August

With sponsorship from the Norfolk Festival of Nature

Festival Programme – please note we will be firming up timings and booking details etc. in the weeks leading up to the start of the Festival, so please return to see more events and more info! And do get in touch if you’d like to add an event!

Saturday 22nd July

Festival Launch: Norfolk Green Care Network (12-4pm)
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB
Launch of the Norfolk Green Care Festival with members’ stalls, refreshments and family activities. Come along to discover how much Green Care is happening in and around Norfolk, and to see the beautiful Plantation Garden!

Summer of Play at Blickling Estate (10am-5pm, every day between 22nd July – 5th September)
Blickling Estate, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6NF
Enjoy a summer of play at Blickling Estate during the summer holidays. Bursting with energy, we have an activity packed day suitable for the whole family. Booking is not required, activities free but normal admission to the house and garden applies.

RevoLOOtion will be onsite on the 5th, 13th and 23rd August, providing a fully accessible changing place in the Farmyard.
More information here.

Tower Tour Cathedral of St John the Baptist (1.30pm)
Unthank Rd, Norwich NR2 2PA
230 steps up the tower and a stunning view of our garden and the city! Children must be 8yrs and 130cm tall, sensible footwear advised. Advance booking essential: purchase in advance from the Garden Café, call 01603 724381, or email heritage@sjbcathedral.org.uk. More information here.
£7.50 adult, £4.50 child/concession | 25% off in the Garden Café with your tour ticket.

Sunday 23rd July

Trust 10 at Blickling Estate (9.30am-11.30am)
Blickling Estate, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6NF
Whether you want to push yourself or just have a gentle run with some new friends, our free monthly 10k trail runs are a great way to blow away the cobwebs, get some exercise and take in spectacular scenery. Find out more here.

Train Wood Litter Pick Friends of Train Wood & Marriott’s Way (10.30am-12.30pm)
Train Wood, near the entrance to Marriott’s Way off the Barn Road roundabout, Norwich
Join us for a litter pick around Train Wood, and help to protect this hidden gem of riverside woodland. Gloves and litter pickers will be provided, and all are very welcome (well-behaved dogs included!). Sturdy footwear recommended. Find out more.

Art and Culture in the Garden (11am-3pm)
Grapes Hill Community Garden, Grapes Hill, Norwich, NR2 4HH
Art, music and culture in the garden with organic wine to buy from Substrata Wines. Find out more.

Plant sale – Panache Plants (11am-4pm)
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB
Norfolk nursery, Panache Plants, will be bringing a selection of their best perennials, exotics, succulents and carnivorous plants for sale. Find out more.

The Plantation Garden Afternoon Tea (2-4pm)
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB
Join us for Sunday Afternoon Tea, with a selection of homemade cakes, a variety of teas, coffee and music by local musicians and singers. More information here.

Ten Towers Trail (2pm)
St. Peter’s Church, off Norwich Road, Haveringland, NR10 4PW
Join us for the launch of this 15 mile trail that takes in 10 glorious Norfolk churches. Come and find out more and get a copy of the trail leaflet (donations welcomed). Discover the plans to make St. Peter’s community hub, heritage centre, wellbeing and environmental anchor. Refreshments available.

Monday 24th July

Treemendous Trees – Norfolk Wildlife Trust (10.30am-12 noon)
Sweet Briar Marshes, Norwich. Meeting at the Pavilion in Sloughbottom Park.
Trees are tremendous! Join us to find out why, and take part in this fun-filled session about Sweet Briar Marshes’ woodland wildlife.
Book here.

A Walk in Waveney (12-1pm)
Carlton Marshes Visitor Centre, Burnt Hill Lane, Carlton Colville, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 8HU
We are delighted to invite you to join researchers from the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) East of England for a guided community walk along a route in the scenic Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve in Lowestoft. Discuss local issues and enjoy the scenery on this accessible walking route. Tea and cake will be provided and everyone is welcome.
Find out more and book here.

Tuesday 25th July

Life Underwater – Mannington Nature Discovery (10am-3pm)
Mannington Estate, Mannington Hall, NR11 7BB
We will be spending the day looking for all sorts of creatures in our ponds and streams and learning about their adaptations for survival. This will include pond dipping, kick sampling and making a hover fly lagoon! Wellies essential! We do have a few pairs to borrow. Change of clothes advisable. Aimed at children over 8.
£15. Booking essential.

Exhibitions in The Loft at Blickling Estate (10am-5pm, 5th – 30th July)
Blickling Estate, Aylsham, Norfolk, NR11 6NF
Featuring the work of over twenty artists and artisan crafters, Norfolk Creations will be brightening up summer with beautifully produced local art and craft, perfect for treating yourself. More information here.

Miraculous Minibeasts at NWT Hickling Broad (10.30am-12 noon)
Visitor Centre, Hickling Broad and Marshes, NR12 0BW
Join us at NWT Hickling Broad, while we forage among the foliage and search between the sedge for any minibeast which may be waiting. We’ll be there with our bits and bobs to catch any bug or beast for a closer inspection.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee (Reserve fee entry for non-members – £5 gift aid / £4.50 standard entry). More information and booking.

Fantastic Minibeasts and Where to Find Them – NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes (10:30am-12:30pm)
Cley and Salthouse Marshes, NR25 7SA
Join us at our custom-built platform and learn about the wonderful wildlife that can be found in ponds and dykes. We will help you learn your boatman from your beetle larvae.
£4 children plus booking fee (accompanying adult free). Booking essential.

Dyke Dipping at Hickling Broad (1:30pm-3pm)
NWT Hickling Broad and Marshes, NR12 0BW
Join us and learn about the wonderful wildlife that can be found in the dykes. The experts will be on hand to help you tell your boatman from your beetle larvae.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee (Reserve fee entry for non-members – £5 gift aid / £4.50 standard entry). Booking essential.

Wednesday 26th July

Brilliant Birds – NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes (10:30am-12:30pm)
Cley and Salthouse Marshes, NR25 7SA
Learn about our brilliant birds here at Cley Marshes! We will show you how to use binoculars and then we will spend time spotting some of our rare and special birds on the reserve.
£4 children (accompanying adult free) + booking fee. Booking essential.

Home Composting Workshop for Beginners (6-8pm)
Great Plumstead Village Hall, Norwich, NR13 5AB
Would you like to start composting at home but don’t know how? Norfolk County Council and Garden Organic are offering free workshops around Norfolk to show you how easy it is to start composting at home. The 2 hour workshop will be delivered by Master Composters and will cover the basics of home composting, how to get the best out of your composting, and what to do if you have problems with your compost, with time for Q&A.
Book here.

Thursday 27th July

Managing land with nature in mind Norfolk Wildlife Trust (9.30am-1pm)
Gissing Community Building, Rectory Road, Gissing, IP22 5UJ
Do you own, or look after, an area of land managed primarily for the benefit of nature? This could be an area of between 1 and 10 hectares, and may consist of woodland, grassland, paddocks or wetland habitat. Do you own an area that you would like to enhance for nature? When managing primarily for nature how do you know what habitats and species are present, and what the most suitable management might be? This workshop will begin with an indoor session and then a site visit to a nearby private nature reserve to discuss some practical issues and solutions.
£7 per person + booking fee. Book here.

Microscopic Marvels walk – Family Friendly (10.30am-12 noon)
Deepdale Farm, Main Road, Burnham Deepdale, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8DD
Join us for a unique and fascinating experience as we explore the rarely-seen hidden miniature worlds in nature. The journey will take you onto the private land on Deepdale Farm, and through the hidden beauty of the natural world as we uncover the intricate details of insects, lichen, fungi, plants and other animals. With the aid of a magnifying glass and various other tools, we will be able to see the world in a new and captivating way, revealing the delicate and often unseen beauty of nature.

This guided walk is suitable for anyone aged 5 years and above, and no prior experience is necessary. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.
£10.00 – £50.00. Find out more and book here.

Life Underwater – Mannington Nature Discovery (10am-12.30pm)
Mannington Estate, Mannington Hall, NR11 7BB
We will be spending the day looking for all sorts of creatures in our ponds and streams and learning about their adaptations for survival. This will include pond dipping, kick sampling and making a hover fly lagoon! Wellies essential! We do have a few pairs to borrow. Change of clothes advisable. Aimed at children under 8.
£8. Booking essential.

Tremendous Trees at Foxley Wood (10.30am-12 noon)
Foxley Wood, NR20 4QR
Join us at NWT Foxley Wood and learn all about the tremendous trees which can be found in Norfolk’s largest ancient woodland.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members + booking fee. Booking essential.

Forage and Feast Workshop (1pm)
Valpy Avenue Allotments, Valpy Avenue, Norwich, NR3 2EN
A forage and feast session, connecting with nature through making (and tasting!) jam. Part of Norfolk & Waveney Mind’s Nature Connect programme. Booking essential via natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk

‘Zero to 500 – Insects’ – An illustrated talk from Gail Ashton (1-2.30pm)
NWT Cley and Salthouse Marshes, NR25 7SA
In 2018 Gail Ashton began what would become a life-changing project; to find, photograph and identify 500 UK species of invertebrate. In this talk, Gail tells the inspiring story of how she learned entomology from scratch, found herself in some of the most beautiful places on our isles. Along the way she met, and learned from, incredible naturalists and experts and discovered a love and respect for a truly extraordinary group of animals.
£10 NWT members, £12 non-members (price includes lunch) + booking fee. Booking essential.

Miraculous Minibeasts at NWT Foxley Wood (1:30pm-3pm)
Foxley Wood, NR20 4QR
Join us at NWT Foxley, while we forage among the foliage and search between the sedge for any minibeast which may be waiting. We’ll be there with our bits and bobs to catch any bug or beast for a closer inspection.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members + booking fee. Booking essential.

Home Composting Workshop for Beginners (6-8pm)
Drill Hall, Aylsham, NR11 6EB
Would you like to start composting at home but don’t know how? Norfolk County Council and Garden Organic are offering free workshops around Norfolk to show you how easy it is to start composting at home. The 2 hour workshop will be delivered by Master Composters and will cover the basics of home composting, how to get the best out of your composting, and what to do if you have problems with your compost, with time for Q&A.
Book here.

Biofluorescent Night Walk (10-11.30pm)
Deepdale Farm, Main Road, Burnham Deepdale, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE31 8DD
Join us for an extraordinary adventure as we explore the fascinating world of biofluorescence! Biofluorescence is a unique phenomenon where certain organisms emit light in different colours than the ones they absorb, and we will embark on a guided walk to discover this captivating natural phenomenon up close.
£20.00 per person. Find out more and book here.

Friday 28th July

NGCN Lunch & Learn: How to get people to connect with nature without realising (1-2pm)
Online
As part of the Norfolk Green Care Network’s Lunch & Learn series, Tabitha Nolan shares the approach to nature connection at Fen Zen, a nature connection and education social enterprise based near Downham Market. Join us online to hear more about Fen Zen, with time for questions and discussion.
Register here via Eventbrite.

Saturday 29th July

River Discovery Day The Brecks Fen Edge and Rivers (10.30am-3.30pm)
Butten Island, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 3AX
Join BFER and wildlife enthusiast Jon Tyler for an activity adventure celebrating river wildlife. Uncover the marvellous miniature world of river invertebrates through river dipping, take part in nature themed games, and find out more about what makes rivers so special. Sessions last 1 hour; available in 1 hour bookable time slots. Book here.

Holme’s Marvellous Moths Norfolk Wildlife Trust (10:30am)
NWT Holme Dunes
Join us as we open our moth traps and be amazed by the variety, beauty and extraordinary markings of the moths that live on the reserve.
Further information here.

Sunday 30th July

Dyke Dipping at NWT Thorpe Marshes (10:30am-12:30pm)
Thorpe Marshes, NR7 0QA
Join us and learn about the wonderful wildlife that can be found in the dykes. The experts will be on hand to help you tell your boatman from your beetle larvae.
Free. More information here.

Quill and Inkling Theatre Company Presents: Don Quixote (7pm)
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB
Follow the adventures of Don Quixote and his loyal squire Sancho Panza in this fast-paced production, at the beautiful Plantation Garden. More information and tickets here.

Monday 31st July

Rockpool Rummaging at West Runton (10:30am-12 noon)
West Runton Beach, meet outside Seaview Cafe, Water Lane, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9QP
Once again we are rummaging in the rockpools of West Runton in search of life. Come along with sturdy shoes and keen eyes to help us carefully investigate the secrets of the seashore. If you don’t know a barnacle from a belemnite the experts will be on hand to identify your finds.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee, Charge for car park. Booking essential.

Tuesday 1st August

The Wonder of Birds – Mannington Nature Discovery (10am-3pm)
Mannington Estate, Mannington Hall, NR11 7BB
You will be getting up close and personal with the birds of Mannington with a morning bird ringing demo (weather permitting), a bird walk, owl pellet dissection and learning how to make a bird feeder. Bring binoculars if you have them. Aimed at children over 8.
£15. Booking essential.

Rockpool Rummaging at West Runton (11:30am-1pm)
West Runton Beach, meet outside Seaview Cafe, Water Lane, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9QP
Once again we are rummaging in the rockpools of West Runton in search of life. Come along with sturdy shoes and keen eyes to help us carefully investigate the secrets of the seashore. If you don’t know a barnacle from a belemnite the experts will be on hand to identify your finds.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee, Charge for car park. Booking essential.

NGCN Lunch & Learn: Nature and Psyche: The Deeper Reaches of Nature Connection (1-2pm)
Online
As part of the Norfolk Green Care Network’s Lunch & Learn series, psychotherapist Robert Black introduces the ‘Ecotherapy’ thinking of Bill Plotkin. Come along online and hear about ‘Ecotherapy’ – one pathway to nature connectedness, with time for questions and discussion.
Register here via Eventbrite.

Fascinating Fossils at West Runton (2pm-3:30pm)
West Runton Beach, meet outside Seaview Cafe, Water Lane, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9QP
You will not believe the creatures that used to call Norfolk home! Come along and see the remains of some of the amazing beasts that were found here millions of years ago.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non members plus booking fee. Charge for the car park. Booking essential.

Wednesday 2nd August

Walk with the Warden NWT Sweet Briar Marshes (10am-12 noon)
NWT Sweet Briar Marshes, The Marriott’s Way, Off Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, NR6 5EE
Join Urban Reserve Manager Matt Wickens on a wander around Sweet Briar Marshes, taking in the wildlife along the way. Matt will share our findings so far about this fantastic urban wildspace and show you what makes this place so special.
Book here.

Fascinating Fossils at West Runton (10:30am – 12 noon)
West Runton Beach, meet outside Seaview Cafe, Water Lane, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9QP
You will not believe the creatures that used to call Norfolk home! Come along and see the remains of some of the amazing beasts that were found here millions of years ago.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non members plus booking fee. Charge for the car park. Booking essential.

NGCN Lunch & Learn: Dereham Northgate’s new School Orchard and Nursery (1-2pm)
Online
As part of the Norfolk Green Care Network’s Lunch & Learn series, we will hear about Northgate High School’s student-led orchard and tree nursery. The new community garden was designed and project managed by a group of students in years 7-9 over 18 months. Hear about the project from Alex Day and Katie Theobald, with plenty of time for questions and discussion.
Register here via Eventbrite.

Rockpool Rummaging at West Runton (1pm-2:30pm)
West Runton Beach, meet outside Seaview Cafe, Water Lane, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9QP
Once again we are rummaging in the rockpools of West Runton in search of life. Come along with sturdy shoes and keen eyes to help us carefully investigate the secrets of the seashore. If you don’t know a barnacle from a belemnite the experts will be on hand to identify your finds.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee, Charge for car park. Booking essential.

The Big Blue
Time and Tide Museum, Blackfriars Road, Great Yarmouth, NR30 3BX
Exploring the sea, this two day event is all about the big blue. What role does the sea play in your life? How do you connect with it? From natural habitat to creative inspiration, join us to play, learn and create all about the ocean. Seas and oceans cover 70% of the world and play a huge role in our lives and nature. The Environment Hub are joining us with fun activities to explore just how important the sea is. (11am-4pm) Under Open Sky will be creating a communal cyanotype artwork with you – drop in to make a pattern about the sea and then see it transform into a blue masterpiece in the sunlight. (12-3.30pm) Volunteers from the RNLI will also be joining with lots of information and demonstrations about water safety so pop by for a chat to learn how you can play and swim and explore the sea safely. (11am-4pm).
Find out more.

Practical Conservation Task NWT Sweet Briar Marshes (6-8pm)
NWT Sweet Briar Marshes, The Marriott’s Way, Off Sweet Briar Road, Norwich, NR6 5EE
Spend the evening with Matt Wickens, NWT Urban Reserve Manager, as we turn our hand to a practical conservation task on NWT Sweet Briar Marshes. No experience needed. Waterproof shoes or wellies recommended.
Book here.

Thursday 3rd August

The Wonder of Birds – Mannington Nature Discovery (10am-12.30pm)
Mannington Estate, Mannington Hall, NR11 7BB
You will be getting up close and personal with the birds of Mannington with a morning bird ringing demo (weather permitting), a bird walk, owl pellet dissection and learning how to make a bird feeder. Bring binoculars if you have them. Aimed at children under 8.
£8. Booking essential.

Searching for Sharks at Holme Dunes (11am-12:30pm)
Holme Dunes Visitor Centre, Broadwater Rd, Hunstanton PE36 6LQ
Meet us at NWT Holme Dunes as we partake on a very different type of egg hunt searching for sharks’ egg cases, more commonly known as mermaid purses. Come along and help us identify which sharks can be found off the coast of Norfolk.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members plus booking fee. Non-member car park charge applies. Booking essential.

Connecting with Nature Mindfully (1pm)
Sloughbottom Park, Norwich
Connect with nature mindfully, drawing inspiration from 5 mindfulness practices from different traditions, forest therapy and also elements of ecotherapy with Chris. Part of Norfolk & Waveney Mind’s Nature Connect programme. Booking essential via natureconnect@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk

Sea Dipping at Holme Dunes (1:30pm-3pm)
Holme Dunes Visitor Centre, Broadwater Rd, Hunstanton PE36 6LQ
Today we will be plunging for prawns and dunking for dabs, as we go sea dipping at NWT Holme Dunes. Once we come ashore, you will be amazed by the secrets of the sea. No need for swimming costumes, we will be the ones getting wet! Please wear suitable waterproof footwear.
£3 NWT members, £3.50 non-members + booking fee. Non-member car park fee applies. Booking essential.

Home Composting Workshop for Beginners (6-8pm)
Shrublands Youth & Adult Centre, Great Yarmouth, NR31 7BP
Would you like to start composting at home but don’t know how? Norfolk County Council and Garden Organic are offering free workshops around Norfolk to show you how easy it is to start composting at home. The 2 hour workshop will be delivered by Master Composters and will cover the basics of home composting, how to get the best out of your composting, and what to do if you have problems with your compost, with time for Q&A.
Book here.

Friday 4th August

Saturday 5th August

BioBlitz at Wild Ken Hill (8.30am–4.30pm)
Wild Ken Hill, Ken Hill Farm, Lynn Road, King’s Lynn, PE31 7PQ
Discover the wonders of biodiversity at the Wild Ken Hill Bioblitz on August 5th! The bioblitz at Wild Ken Hill will be a fun all-day quest to discover, document, and celebrate the incredible array of plants, animals, insects, and fungi that call the farm home.

Led by experienced naturalists, this hands-on event will provide you with an immersive experience in the world of biodiversity. We will embark on guided excursions through the various habitats, where you’ll have the opportunity to identify, record, and learn about the fascinating species we encounter.
£5 – advanced booking required. Find out more and book here.

Breaking Waves: MCNAG Marine Conference (9am–6pm)
Cley and Salthouse Marshes
Join MCNAG (Marine Conservation Norfolk Action Group) for a day of hearing from inspiring speakers celebrating the importance of the Norfolk coast for wildlife and people and exploring the challenges facing our marine environment. The conference aims to discuss key questions including how we get marine conservation issues to the right audiences to ensure action, whether environmental laws actually protect our marine environment and can conservation and fisheries work together to protect marine wildlife?
£7 NWT members, £10 non-members, £5 MCNAG members + booking fee.
Book here.

Tower Tour Cathedral of St John the Baptist (1.30pm)
Unthank Rd, Norwich NR2 2PA
230 steps up the tower and a stunning view of our garden and the city! Children must be 8yrs and 130cm tall, sensible footwear advised. Advance booking essential: purchase in advance from the Garden Café, call 01603 724381, or email heritage@sjbcathedral.org.uk.
£7.50 adult, £4.50 child/concession | 25% off in the Garden Café with your tour ticket.

Strange Fascination Theatre Company Presents: Alice Through the Looking Glass (6pm)
Plantation Garden, 4 Earlham Road, Norwich, NR2 3DB
From the company that brought you their open air productions of ‘Alice in Wonderland’, ‘Journey to the Centre of the Earth’, ‘The Jungle Book’ and the award nominated ‘Treasure Island’, Strange Fascination Theatre return this summer with a brand new adaption of Lewis Carroll’s classic children’s novel, ‘Alice Through The Looking Glass’. Suitable for all ages. More information and tickets here.

Sunday 6th August

Harvesting the Meadow Norfolk Wildlife Trust (10:30am-2pm)
Church Meadow, Filby (Park at Filby Church Car Park, Church Lane, NR29 3HW)
Local people helped us sow the meadow in 2022, this August we will harvest the hay using scythes and spread the seed heads in Trinity Wood. We can show you the wild flowers best for wildlife and at 1pm, there will be a short guided walk to see other areas managed for wildlife and people. Activities include making corn dollies!
Further information.

View the map

Get in touch to add your Green Care event to the programme so others can find you, and be sure to check out what else is happening across the two weeks of the festival.

_{Cover image: The Plantation Garden by Amitchell125. CC BY-SA 4.0}