It always makes my day when you find out about an amazing event taking place in Berkshire. Did you know Imperial College had a campus in Ascot? Their Bugs, Birds and Beasts Day event is an annual free event and the university campus is such a beautiful place to spend some time. We have been attending since 2018 and have always loved our visits.
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At previous events there have been a a number of gazebos with activities in such as face painting, seed bomb making etc, but the activities change from year to year. Inside the main marquee there are so many displays, demonstrations, activities and crafts led by the university students, plus there has been pond dipping and also falconry when we have visited before.
During our visit in 2018 we were lucky enough to see a number of different varieties of living grasshoppers, caterpillars; moth larvae, mosquitoes (not my favourite) at different stages of their life cycle and a giant water beetle. We looked through microscopes at a pond snails and moss and learnt about animal tracking. Last year there were birds of prey to see, chicks hatching and we also got to see different bees in their hives as well as have a go at making lego fish DNA!
We have always enjoyed the crafts on offer including fantastic grasshopper card using finger prints, making play-doh insects which were collated on logs and branches for everyone to see, it was great to see the ‘artwork’ of bugs grow during the event as more and more bugs were made throughout the day.
Here is a cardboard mosquito we also made using a templates and pipe cleaners. During previous visits there have always been plenty of pictures to colour throughout the event and we ended up coming home with a few wildlife themed colouring sheets to do at home over the holidays.
On previous visits we have also been given information and resources to take part in the Big Butterfly Count during the holidays.
There is free parking (although space is limited), food, drink and ice cream to purchase, but you can also take a picnic along with you.
Do I need tickets?
This is a free event, but you need to reserve your space by booking a ticket. The 2024 event takes place on 30th July between 12 noon – 5pm at the Imperial College, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, SL5 7PY. You can click here to book your tickets.
What is the address for the event?
Imperial College, Silwood Park, Buckhurst Road, Ascot, SL5 7PY – there is limited parking on site but also a Shuttle bus to and from Ascot station.
Refreshments
There is a BBQ / refreshments available. You can also take a picninc.
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