Bere Marsh Farm Spring Events: Wildlife Walks and Family Activities in Dorset

A vibrant programme of spring events is set to reconnect people with nature at Bere Marsh Farm in north Dorset, offering guided wildlife walks, a farmers’ market, wildlife optics sessions, and a dawn chorus experience.

Run by the Countryside Regeneration Trust (CRT), the farm near Shillingstone is part of a working landscape where conservation and sustainable farming go hand in hand. The charity, which promotes nature-friendly farming across its estates, is inviting families, walkers and wildlife enthusiasts to explore the countryside through practical, educational and community-led events...

Hands-on wildlife experiences at Bere Marsh Farm

The spring programme begins on Friday, April 3, with the popular Friday Farm Walks from 2 pm to 3 pm and continue weekly through to September. Guided by the farm team and volunteers, the walks take in meadows, riverbanks and floodplain grazing areas, highlighting how wildlife-rich habitats can coexist alongside productive agriculture.

Participants will gain access to areas not normally open to the public, including the Angela Hughes Nature Reserve and Ham Down. The walks reflect a growing national focus on regenerative farming practices that restore soil health, enhance biodiversity and improve resilience to flooding — principles increasingly championed across the UK’s farming sector.

On walk days, the Buzz Café will open, serving hot drinks and homemade cakes, creating a welcoming hub for visitors to relax and connect after exploring the farm.

Supporting local food and rural skills

The next Farmers’ Market takes place on Saturday, April 11, from 11 am to 3 pm, showcasing local produce and artisan goods. Farmers’ markets have long been recognised for strengthening rural economies and shortening supply chains, while giving shoppers direct access to seasonal, locally grown food. The café will again be staffed by volunteers.

Getting closer to nature

A free Introduction to Wildlife Optics session on Friday, April 17, from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm will be led by wildlife optics specialist David House. The event will offer practical advice on choosing and using binoculars, spotting scopes and cameras — skills that can greatly enhance wildlife watching, according to organisations such as the RSPB, which encourages the use of quality optics to improve bird identification and fieldcraft.

Attendees can put their new knowledge into practice by joining the afternoon’s Friday Farm Walk for a guided demonstration in the field.

Dawn Chorus Walk with Breakfast

Image: CRT

The programme concludes on Saturday, May 9, with the much-loved Dawn Chorus Walk with Breakfast from 4:30 am to 6:30 am. Led by bird expert John Lockwood, the early-morning walk offers a chance to experience one of nature’s most celebrated spectacles, as songbirds greet the day at peak vocal performance during the breeding season.

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £8 for CRT Friends and volunteers, with breakfast served in the barn afterwards.

Through its spring events, Bere Marsh Farm continues to demonstrate how wildlife conservation, sustainable farming and community engagement can thrive together — offering a seasonal reminder of the richness of Dorset’s countryside and the value of connecting people with the natural world.

Hambledons: Here to help

Based in Shillingstone in North Dorset, Hambledons provides reliable hedge, fencing, and general outdoor property services across Blandford Forum, Sturminster Newton, Shaftesbury, Gillingham, Sherborne, Dorchester, Wimborne Minster, and Verwood, as well as surrounding villages throughout North Dorset and neighbouring areas.

Working with homeowners, landowners, and rural properties, we carry out a wide range of outdoor improvements and land management work, helping maintain gardens, boundaries, paddocks, and countryside spaces across the region.