Family Day - The Wonders of the Natural World

Join us on Saturday, 13th June, to explore the Wonders of the Natural World.

Rectory Gardens, Goring-on-Thames, 10 am - 5 pm (gates open 9.30 am). 

Explore a wide range of FREE and ticketed experiences throughout the day across our Main Stage, Space Zone, Nature Zone, Arts and Craft Zone, and Storytelling Corner.

Refreshments are available throughout the day!

Supported by South Oxfordshire District Councillor Community Grant Scheme.

Ticketed Events

---

🎤 Main Stage

Head to the Main Stage for an exciting programme of FREE talks, performances, and inspiring speakers throughout the day.

From space and science to nature and creativity, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in Goring-on-Thames, Rectory Gardens.

10.00 am - Wildlife Adventures Through the Camera Lens, with Simon Booker

Simon Booker will share his wildlife photography adventures in South Oxfordshire. You’ll meet amazing animals like otters, peregrines, barn owls, and kingfishers, and hear easy tips for taking great nature photos.

Simon’s talk will be followed by the announcement of the winners of the children’s photography competition.

11.00 am - From Rainforests to You, with The Living Rainforest

What do your morning coffee and a bar of chocolate have in common? Quite a lot, as it turns out. We'll explore how many of the foods we love begin life in rainforest environments.

Through a simple shopping basket, this talk brings their stories to life, from how they grow to the challenges farmers face and the impact on wildlife. It also looks at how farming can work with nature through agroforestry, and how you can see these plants for yourself at The Living Rainforest.

11.45 am - We're Going Back to the Moon! with Dr James O’Donoghue, University of Reading

Imagine looking up at the Moon and knowing that people are walking on it right now. Humans last walked on the Moon during the Apollo Program over 50 years ago, but after a long gap, we're finally going back.

Planetary scientist Dr James O'Donoghue explores how the Artemis Program will land the next astronauts on the Moon, why we're returning, and what it might be like to live and work on another world.

12.30 pm - ESA

Details coming soon

1.30 pm - The Secrets of Dinosaurs, with Dr Jacob Gardner, University of Reading

It’s been over 200 years since Megalosaurus was named, and we’ve learned so much since. Join palaeontologist Dr Jacob Gardner to find out how scientists discover how dinosaurs moved, what they ate, how they behaved, and even what colours they might have been.

Explore amazing fossils like Archaeopteryx and the “Fighting Dinosaurs,” and see how modern technology brings their world back to life.

2.15 pm - Wild About Animals: Why Every Creature Counts, with Beale Park

Step into the amazing world of animals and discover why every creature is important. We’ll explore the challenges wildlife face - and the ways we can all help protect them.

From our winding rivers to wild forests, find out how YOU can become a hero for nature and help save our planet!

3.00 pm - ESA

Details coming soon

3.45 pm - OrbAstro

Details coming soon

📚 Storytelling Corner

Celebrate the National Year of Reading with us.

Unwind with a good book and soak up stories from our community at the storytelling corner.

And if you find a story you love, you can take it home - AwesomeBooks is giving away over 500 books during the day.

10.30 am - Wild Yoga, with Emma

Travel from the deepest jungles to the furthest galaxies, using your body & breadth

11.30 am - Boing! with James Carter

Hop along, little bugs for a minibeastly session full of bug riddles, giggles, wriggles & rhymes. But also expect an axolotl, a capybara and a woolly mammoth along the way. Plus singing. And dancing, of course… All from James’ brand new poetry/non-fiction book BOING! a bouncy book of bugs.

12.30 pm - Bedtime Stories with Mums!

Hear some of our favourite bedtime stories, read by Mums!

1.30 pm - Zim Zam Zoom! with James Carter

Greetings earthlings! Head on down for a crazily cosmic session full of interactive space poems as well as madcap music with children’s poet, musician and alien (well, he comes from Wallingford..) – all from his books Zim Zam Zoom, A Ticket To Kalamazoo and The Big Beyond!

2.30 pm - Bedtime Stories with Dads!

Hear some of our favourite bedtime stories, read by Dads!

3.30 pm - Special Guest

Details coming soon...

🚀 Space Zone

Blast off into the wonders of the universe in our Space Zone!

Try your hand at building a satellite, take a look through a solar telescope and explore the solar system in virtual reality. 

• Build a LEGO® satellite with OrbAstro 
• Solar telescope with the University of Reading
• European Space Agency (ESA) Experience 
• Solar system VR experience
  
  

🌿 Nature Zone

Step into the natural world in our Nature Zone and reconnect with the beauty around us.

Encounter reptiles, see inside a real beehive and learn more about the natural environment.

• The University of Reading, Cole Museum
• Beale Park
• The Living Rainforest
• The Beekeeper's Association
• Berkshire Reptile Encounters (12 pm-3 pm)
• Good Food Oxfordshire 
• Withymead Nature Reserve
• MEND the GAP

🎨 Arts & Crafts Zone

Get creative in our Arts & Crafts Zone and let your imagination run wild!

Take part in hands-on activities, explore artistic techniques, and enjoy a range of FREE creative sessions for all ages at Rectory Gardens.

🦋 Family Nature Trail

Set off on an adventure with our Family Nature Trail and explore the wonders of nature along the River Thames.

Follow the trail, discover local wildlife, and enjoy a fun, interactive experience for all ages.

Complete the trail and collect your sticker from the Family Day information stand.

📸 Nature Photography Exhibition

Discover the beauty of the natural world through stunning imagery at our Nature Photography Exhibition.

St Thomas' Church will feature an exhibition of spellbinding wildlife portraits by renowned local photographer Simon Booker, alongside shortlisted entries from the Children’s Nature Photography Competition, where you could win a Day Family Pass to Beale Park!

Refreshments  

A wide range of scrummy refreshments will be available on the day!

• Truly Scrumptious Bakery
• Soleluna Pizza 
• The Miller of Mansfield, Renegade Bar 
• Jessie's Coffee Truck

We look forward to seeing you there!

The GAP Festival would like to say a huge thank you to all the organisations involved in Family Day.