Biofluorescent Night Walk: Unveiling Nature’s Hidden Spectacles

Join us for an extraordinary adventure as we explore the fascinating world of biofluorescence! Biofluorescence is a unique phenomenon where certain organisms emit light in different colours than the ones they absorb. David, your knowledgeable guide, will take you on a unique nature experience and walk to discover this captivating natural phenomenon up close.

With UV torches provided, we will venture into the dark to witness a display of biofluorescent organisms in their natural habitat. From fungi to insects and plants, we will encounter a diverse array of species that come alive with vibrant hues of green, blue, red, purple, orange… in other words, allowing nature’s hidden spectacles to be revealed.

We will explore a range of habitats on the walk, but pay particular attention to certain ones in any given season. April is a time for vibrant hedgerows, fungi is most abundant in October.

This walk is suitable for adult and children ages 8+, with an accompanying adult.

Microscopic Marvels: Macro photography walk

Welcome to the enchanting world of macro photography! Join us as we embark on an adventure to explore the hidden treasures of the miniature realms in nature. A powerful 100x clip-on lens transforms any smartphone into a portal of discovery, so all pictures will be taken on your own phone, providing a perfect souvenir to share with friends and family. Witness the tiniest details of plants, insects, and more, as we delve into the fascinating world of macro photography.

This unique nature experience will take us through the woodlands and hidden wonders of our private organic regenerative farm. These natural settings are teeming with life, which consequently offers a perfect canvas for our macro photography experience.

Equipment:
Please make sure you arrive with a fully charged phone battery. We will provide you with a 100x macro clip-on lens, and this marvel of technology will consequently allow us to capture the intricate beauty of tiny subjects in astounding clarity. Of course as back up, we have a selection of high-powered magnifying glasses which offer a similar insight into the miniature world.

The Walk:
We will be exploring a range of habitats on the walk, but pay particular attention to certain ones in any given season. April will focus on hedgerows and woodland, October on mushroom marvels and then November on the woodlands.

Commonly overlooked miniature organisms provide fascinating studies, such as lichen, fungi, insects and flowers. Even the most ordinary-looking plants and insects can reveal breath-taking beauty up close such as miniature forests and microscopic worlds of unique colours and textures.

The walk is suitable for children aged 13+ and for adults. It is designed to be gentle, inclusive, pleasurable, and welcoming. No prior experience with microscopes or photography is required, therefore all you need to bring is your curiosity and enthusiasm!

Forest Bathing

Forest Bathing is an evidence-based, therapeutic practice that connects people to the natural world through gentle, sensory-based activities. It originated in Japan where it is known as Shinrin Yoku, which roughly translates as ‘taking in the forest with all your senses’. The practice involves walking slowly, breathing deeply, and all in all using your senses to connect with the natural world.

Just two hours in a woodland can help prevent the build-up of many modern stress-related maladies, and what’s more, it can be beneficial for up to 30 days. As a result, many participants return for regular sessions. Forest Bathing has a wide range of benefits. For example, studies have shown it to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, boost the immune system, and improve mental health.

During our forest bathing walk, our certified guide will lead you into Deepdale Farm’s private woodland. A range of exercises or “introductions” will help you to explore the sights, sounds, smells, textures and tastes, thus connecting you to the forest through all 5 senses.

It will undoubtedly help you to slow down to the pace of your environment and observe its magnitude, peace and complexity. Your breathing will slow and deepen, your sense of hearing will become more acute, and your brain will stop thinking of the everyday list of “to-do’s”. Overall, your natural surroundings will envelope you in its peace and serenity.

Chorus of Life

Embark on a captivating journey into the symphony of life with our “Chorus of Life” walk. Join us as we explore the myriad sounds of the natural world, from the melodious songs of birds to the hidden sounds of plants, lichen, and fungi.

Equipped with a specialized parabolic microphone, we’ll tune into the enchanting melodies of birds. This advanced technology allows us to capture individual bird songs with remarkable clarity, offering a rare glimpse into the intricate harmonies of the avian chorus.

But our auditory adventure doesn’t end there. Prepare to delve into the hidden realm of plant sounds as we unveil the unique voices of trees, flowers, and mushrooms. Using innovative techniques to convert changes in electrical conductivity into audio, we’ll unlock the captivating symphony of the botanical world. Each leaf, petal, and stem possesses its own distinct sound, contributing to the rich tapestry of nature’s melody.

This walk is open to all who wish to tune into the captivating rhythms of the environment, so join us as we immerse ourselves in the vibrant chorus of life.