Summer programme of nature, wildlife and community events announced at Bere Marsh Farm

We have so many events happening at Bere Marsh Farm summer that we thought we'd put them all together here for you so you can take your pick and choose what suits you best.

With a wide variety of events enabling people to enjoy wildlife, farming and the countryside through hands-on activities, guided walks and community activities, we are sure there will be something to suit everyone!

The programme begins with a summer workshop: grow mushrooms on wood on July 29 from 10am to 1pm. Led by passionate mycologist Andy Knott, of Jurassic Coast Mushrooms, the session offers the chance to learn the art of log plugging, a traditional low-cost, high reward method of growing mushrooms on wood. Everybody will have the opportunity to produce their own mushroom log, while learning all about cultivating fungi, along with other simple methods for encouraging mushrooms in your garden and green spaces. 

Discover Bats in Summer will take place on August 8 from 8.15pm to 10pm with guest expert Mariko Whyte from the Dorset Bat Group. Participants will be able to use heterodyne bat detectors and learn lots of fascinating facts along the way. The CRT has been monitoring bats at Bere Marsh Farm for several years to better understand bats. There are 18 bat species in the UK, and the CRT has routinely recorded seven of these at Bere Marsh Farm to date. 

A Cyanotype workshop will take place on August 15 from 10.30am to 3.30pm. This is a photographic printing method that produces images with a distinctive Prussian-blue colour. Prints are made by applying a light sensitive solution to paper and then placing objects on top to mask the UV light from the prepared paper. When the paper is exposed to UV light the areas will turn blue.

A creative workshop teaching willow weaving garden sculptures will take place on August 16 from 9.30am to 4pm with willow artist and basket maker Yanina Stockings.  Participants will learn how the willow is grown, harvested and processed, and learn several key weaving techniques to produce their own garden sculpture. Some of the willow available to use was planted in 2021 at Bere Marsh Farm. 

On August 27 from 10am to 1pm, an inaugural Moth Tetra Pak printing workshop will take place with Arty Genny at the farm’s Threshing Barn. The printmaking workshop will give participants the opportunity to observe the 25 moth species recorded at Bere Marsh Farm and select ones they would like for their prints. Tetra Pak is the brand of carton packaging used for milks and juices, amongst other things. The interior of the carton is foil-lined and makes a versatile printing plate. The added bonus is being able to upcycle something that is usually discarded with the rubbish. 

The summer programme will conclude with The Farmers and Makers Market on September 5 from 11am to 3pm, showcasing local produce with The Buzz Café open selling tea, coffee and soft drinks as well as delicious cakes made by our CRT volunteers.  

Hannah Bosence, Farm Estate Manager, said: “We are delighted to be able to offer such a varied summer programme of events this season.

"These activities are a great way for people to connect with nature, learn more about how the farm is managed for wildlife, get creative and enjoy spending time outdoors.  We’re really excited about our new Tetra Pak session, as well as all the other events we have on through the summer. We’re also excited about welcoming lots of producers to our Farmers and Makers Market.”

Bere Marsh Farm will also continue with its weekly Friday Farm walk, which is a free event from 2pm to 3pm and led by Hannah and other experts. There is no need to book, just turn up on the day.

For more information about CRT events, including ticket prices, and to book where required, see https://www.thecrt.co.uk/Pages/Events/ 

You can help us do more: 

• Volunteer with the CRT and get hands-on with conservation work 

• Donate to support habitat restoration across our farms 

• Join us as a Friend and help secure the future of nature-friendly farming 

Published: July, 2026.