10 Activities for August Bank Holiday

August 17, 2026

Term time is looming and very soon your young Summer adventurers will be returning to school for another academic year. But before they do, you still have the August Bank Holiday to enjoy.

To celebrate, we’ve collected some top outdoor events taking place across the country, hosted by the Wildlife Trust, to inspire you to step outdoors for the last time this Summer.

1) Wonderful Wildlife Weekends, Walthamstow Wetlands, London

Sunday 30th August 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Walthamstow, London

Head to Walthamstow Wetlands to explore the pond and surrounding areas to discover the wildlife that lives there. Toads, tadpoles, woodlice and worms are just a selection of the animals that you might discover. Activities will include using nets to look at animals found in the pond and looking under logs to see what minibeasts you can find.

2) Brockholes Village Fete, Brockholes Nature Reserve, Lancashire

Saturday 29th August - Monday 31st August 2026, 10:00am - 4:00pm, Lancashire

Step back in time at the Roman themed summer village fete at Brockholes this August bank holiday weekend. Experience Roman life through stalls displaying Roman artifacts, fashion and weaponry. Watch demonstrations on Roman cooking and weaponry plus meet actors in authentic Roman costume. Enjoy delicious Roman themed food and drink, try your hand at traditional games, and witness thrilling Roman weaponry displays as history comes to life before your very eyes!

3) Wonderful Wildlife Weekends, Grosvenor Square, London

Sunday 30th August 2026, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Mayfair, London

Spend your bank holiday Sunday exploring the newly transformed Grosvenor Square and discover how nature can thrive in the heart of London. Search for birds, insects and other urban wildlife, learn how plants and trees create homes for nature, and find out how this historic garden has been redesigned to support biodiversity. Activities will include bug hunting, wildlife spotting with binoculars, exploring natural treasures under the microscope and nature crafts.

4) Snorkel Safari, Wembury Marine Centre, South Devon

Saturday 29th August 2026, 12:00pm - 2:30pm, Devon

At Wembury Marine Centre, their fully qualified BSAC Snorkel Instructors will cover basic snorkelling techniques, followed by a guided snorkel around Wembury Bay's famous rocky reefs, searching for and identifying underwater marine life as you go! We always follow our Seashore Code ethos of enjoying and respecting marine life through observation without disturbing. Our snorkel safaris are suitable for children and adults, including beginners who would like to learn how to snorkel, or more advanced snorkellers who would enjoy the company of a group.

5) Family Day Pass, The Hive, Moss Bank Park, Greater Manchester

Saturday 29th August - Monday 31st August 2026, 10:00am - 2:00pm, Bolton

Based within Bolton’s iconic Moss Bank Park, the Hive offers a unique space, made up of a series of gardens adorned with natural play equipment. Designed with pre-schoolers and the under seven’s in mind, the Hive encourages young people to make lasting connections with nature through creative play. Features such as our mud kitchen, colourful sensory garden, magical willow domes and our water play installation will inspire the imaginations of young minds.

6) Tales from the Trail, Northumberlandia, Northumberland

Saturday 29th August - Monday 31st August 2026, 10:00am - 3:00pm, Northumberland

This woodland trail is aimed at primary school-age children and is created by sixth-form students from the local community at Cramlington Learning Village to celebrate '2026 National Year of Reading'. In addition, around the Lady of the North are creative writings and book recommendations suitable for secondary age young people and adults to explore their love of reading and nature.

7) Family Pond Dipping, College Lake Nature Reserve, Buckinghamshire

Saturday 29th August 2026, 10:30am - 11:30am, Tring, Buckinghamshire

Come along and have a go at pond dipping at College Lake Nature Reserve. Find out about the creatures living in the pond and meet them up close! Discover all the things that call this magical underwater world their home!

8) August Wild Weekend, Attenborough Nature Reserve, Nottinghamshire

Saturday 29th August - Monday 31st August 2026, 9:00am - 5:00pm, Nottinghamshire

Over this Wild Weekend there'll be a number of events and activities happening in the centre and around the reserve, including pond dipping, family bushcraft, Attenborough Adventurers stay and play sessions, otter sunrise wildlife walks, birdwatching, badgers and bats sunset wildlife walks, and interactive owl talks and demonstrations.

9) Gruffalo Quiz Activity Trail, Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum, Herefordshire

Saturday 29th August - Monday 31st August 2026, 10:00pm - 4:00pm, Leominster, Herefordshire

Complete our fun activity quiz sheets and see the much loved Gruffalo and his friends in the woods, returning to the visitor centre to claim your Gruffalo sticker and small prize.

10) Beach Clean and Shore Safari, Anglesey Sea Zoo, Anglesey

Sunday 30th August 2026, 2:00pm - 3:30pm, Anglesey

Visit the Anglesey Sea Zoo to explore this wonderful stretch of coastline. You'll pick up litter and see what else you can find alongside local wildlife experts.