Twilight nature tour
Catch a glimpse of colourful kingfishers and secretive badgers in our nature reserve at dusk.
Date and time
22 and 29 May 2025
7 and 14 August 2025
5.30pm until dark (approx 9.30pm)
Location
Price
£30 for Wakehurst and Kew members
£35 for non-members
15% discount at Visitor Centre shop and Plant Centre
SOLD OUT
Join us at dusk for a chance to observe secretive woodland creatures in their natural habitat.
As the sun sets, experience the stirring of nocturnal wildlife and witness the forest’s transition from light to darkness. With our senses heightened, sounds and scents become more intense, bringing the evening to life.
Led by our experienced nature reserve lead, Steve Robinson, we’ll follow the woodland trails in the Loder Valley. In this beautiful, wild landscape, you may spot kingfishers flashing by and wild badgers emerging to eat, play, and forage.
Partway through the evening, we’ll pause to enjoy hot soup and a roll, warming up before continuing our wildlife watch.
About the workshop leader
I'm a local lad, born and raised in the beautiful Sussex High Weald. Growing up wild and free, I spent my days fishing, building dens, and exploring the countryside, unknowingly absorbing the rich diversity of our natural world. This early love of nature turned into a 35-year career at Wakehurst, including 30 years in the Loder Valley Nature Reserve, where I now jokingly claim to be its oldest living mammal. Without formal degrees or specialisation, I've learned by living in nature, becoming a generalist with a lifetime of hands-on knowledge. My work fulfills me entirely, and I hope to share my experiences and insights with you.
- This is an adults only/18+ event.
- Be prepared to walk over steep and sometimes slippery slopes, and be aware that by the end of the evening we will be walking in darkness.
- Good footwear is essential as is being prepared for our unpredictable weather. You'll also need a torch to navigate back. Total distance will be around 2km, which may vary on the night.
- This is a wild landscape so we cannot guarantee that you'll see a badger or kingfisher.
- This tour involves the use of a badger watching hide where peanuts are kept, therefore this event is not suitable for anyone with a peanut allergy.
- No photography is allowed.