The Nature Discovery Centre

03/11/2026

We are getting a face-lift! The rather tired blue floor throughout the main visitor centre area is being replaced. As a result, the centre will be closed for two weeks while works are carried out.

Closure dates: Monday 9 November to Friday 20 November inclusive.
During this time, no part of the centre will be accessible to visitors.
The outside toilets will be open Monday to Friday during normal opening hours (10am - 4pm). They will be closed over the weekend of Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 November.

We look forward to welcoming you back to a refreshed Nature Discovery Centre on Saturday 21 November!

27/10/2026

Volunteers and staff have been working hard recently to restore our pond area. It was clogged full of vegetation and silt, and the surrounding overhanging trees were blocking out the light.

It's looking a little forlorn currently, but by the Spring, will provide a fantastic habitat for frogs, newts and invertebrates! 🐸

24/10/2026

We are open every day during the half-term week, including Monday 26 October.

*Visitor Centre - 10am - 4pm
*Cafe - 10am - 4pm (lunch served until 2pm)
*Car-park gate closed at dusk

The nature reserve is free to enter and car-parking is an optional £3 donation.
Dogs are welcome on leads (inside and outside).

We look forward to welcoming you during half-term!

24/10/2026

Thatcham Scarecrow Trail launches today! Drop in anytime between 10am - 4pm this week to pick-up your trail map (£3) and explore Thatcham to discover an array of wonderful scarecrows. The trail can be completed in a day or spread over the half-term week.

Belinda the badger is BBOWT's contribution, created by our wonderful volunteers. She can be found enjoying the company of our cafe visitors!

22/10/2026

Half-term is here and we have lots going on for families at the Nature Discovery Centre:

🦉 Sat 24 - Sun 1 Nov - Thatcham Scarecrow Trail - £3 per map
🧙‍♂️ Mon 26 - Fri 30 Oct - The Wild Witch Trail - follow the trail and make a potion! £6 per child
🎃 Mon 26, Tues 27 & Thurs 29 - Autumn & Halloween Crafts (aged 3 to 13) - £6 per child

More info and booking: https://www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Find your local Wildlife Trust event and get stuck in to wild activities, talks, walks and much more.

18/10/2026

We’re getting ready for the next Nature Memories Café (this coming Tuesday, 20 October, 10.30am - 12.30pm).

This month’s theme is ‘Apples’, so there will be apple tasting, pressing apples for juice, and decorating these sweet little autumnal wreaths. And if you prefer to sit, enjoy a cuppa, chat and cake, then that’s fine by us. All we need is you to join in the fun!

The Nature Memories Café provides a supportive space for West Berkshire residents living with dementia, together with their loved ones and carers. The free drop-in sessions are run by staff and volunteers who are on-hand to welcome and chat with guests and help them with nature-themed crafts and activities.

New attendees are welcome and should contact [email protected] or 01635 874381.

14/10/2026

All are welcome to come along on Sunday at 11am to view the grand unveiling of Thatcham's newest Blue Plaque!

Hosted by the Thatcham Town Council, this plaque celebrates the area's deep history, marking it as one of the earliest evidence-backed settlements in the town. The site dates back to the Mesolithic age (8000 BC–7000 BC), where the most notable archaeological find was an ancient flint workshop.

Enjoy a free talk at 1pm by local historian and author, John Firth, entitled "Thatcham: The First Million Years".

Free event, no booking required.

09/10/2026

Despite the recent rainfall, the water level in the lake remains very low, and there is blue-green algae on the surface. Please keep your dogs on a lead when walking around the nature reserve, and don't allow them to drink or enter the water. Thank you! 🥰

08/10/2026

This Saturday is Apple Day! Join us during Thatcham Festival for a wonderful celebration of apples, orchards and autumn. 🌳

The visitor centre is open between 10am - 4pm, with the free event on until 3pm.

06/10/2026

Last week we were delighted to be awarded the winners of the Community & Volunteering category at the inaugural Thatcham In Bloom awards. 🌻

Our team of volunteers have worked tirelessly this summer to keep the wildflower garden, displays and hanging baskets around the visitor centre looking great. Alongside our own volunteers, we have also been supported by volunteers from Thatcham Cancer Support, Eight Bells for Mental Health and Engaging Potential, who have planted and cared for the raised beds. 🌸

Thank-you everyone for all your hard work! 😍