The Nature Discovery Centre

18/10/2026

We’re getting ready for the next Nature Memories Café (this coming Tuesday, 20 October, 10.30am - 12.30pm).

This month’s theme is ‘Apples’, so there will be apple tasting, pressing apples for juice, and decorating these sweet little autumnal wreaths. And if you prefer to sit, enjoy a cuppa, chat and cake, then that’s fine by us. All we need is you to join in the fun!

The Nature Memories Café provides a supportive space for West Berkshire residents living with dementia, together with their loved ones and carers. The free drop-in sessions are run by staff and volunteers who are on-hand to welcome and chat with guests and help them with nature-themed crafts and activities.

New attendees are welcome and should contact [email protected] or 01635 874381.

14/10/2026

All are welcome to come along on Sunday at 11am to view the grand unveiling of Thatcham's newest Blue Plaque!

Hosted by the Thatcham Town Council, this plaque celebrates the area's deep history, marking it as one of the earliest evidence-backed settlements in the town. The site dates back to the Mesolithic age (8000 BC–7000 BC), where the most notable archaeological find was an ancient flint workshop.

Enjoy a free talk at 1pm by local historian and author, John Firth, entitled "Thatcham: The First Million Years".

Free event, no booking required.

09/10/2026

Despite the recent rainfall, the water level in the lake remains very low, and there is blue-green algae on the surface. Please keep your dogs on a lead when walking around the nature reserve, and don't allow them to drink or enter the water. Thank you! 🥰

08/10/2026

This Saturday is Apple Day! Join us during Thatcham Festival for a wonderful celebration of apples, orchards and autumn. 🌳

The visitor centre is open between 10am - 4pm, with the free event on until 3pm.

06/10/2026

Last week we were delighted to be awarded the winners of the Community & Volunteering category at the inaugural Thatcham In Bloom awards. 🌻

Our team of volunteers have worked tirelessly this summer to keep the wildflower garden, displays and hanging baskets around the visitor centre looking great. Alongside our own volunteers, we have also been supported by volunteers from Thatcham Cancer Support, Eight Bells for Mental Health and Engaging Potential, who have planted and cared for the raised beds. 🌸

Thank-you everyone for all your hard work! 😍

25/09/2026

Weekend Brunches are here! Our cafe team will be serving lots of choices from full English to pancakes, including yummy veggie options. ☕️

Brunches are now available between 10am - 11.30am on Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Why not enjoy a morning walk around the lake and finish with a yummy brunch this weekend? 😍

24/09/2026

Our annual stargazing evening is back on Friday 16 October!

Experts from Newbury Astronomical Society will host an evening of star-gazing and astronomy. If the night sky is clear, there will be telescopes set-up on the patio area for everyone to view the night sky, including planets and more. In the event of cloudy or wet weather, join us inside the visitor centre to enjoy two talks about astronomy.

There will also be telescopes and other equipment to view and experts on hand to answer your questions. The visitor centre shop and cafe will also be open.

Tickets are £6 for adults (children under 12 free).

Explore the night sky at the Nature Discovery Centre!

23/09/2026

Our Apple Day is back this year on Saturday 10 October! 🌳🍎 However, the harvest in our orchard has been poor, and we're now on the look-out for apples. 😢

If your trees have produced a glut and you can donate them for our open day, please drop them in. Thanks! 🙏



Image (c) Ross Hoddinott 2020VISION

12/09/2026

Have you seen this amazing purple drink? It's an iced Ube - it tastes a little like coconut but is also totally different. Try it out next time you visit the cafe - it's delicious!

11/09/2026

🎂 Our Nature Memories Café is two years old!

The Nature Memories Café provides a supportive space for West Berkshire residents living with dementia, together with their loved ones and carers.

We were able to restart these monthly sessions in September 2024, thanks to the generosity of local and national charitable trusts and individual donors, and have been going strong ever since.

If the weather suits, you'll find us outside the Lakeside Room enjoying the views, having a stroll, or maybe feeding the ducks 🦆

This coming Tuesday (15th September) our theme is 'Bees' so we'll hear about bee-keeping and have some bee-themed activities. And of course, celebrate our second birthday 🐝

The free drop-in sessions are run by staff and volunteers who are on-hand to welcome and chat with guests, and help them with nature-themed crafts and activities.

👉 New attendees are welcome and should contact [email protected] or 01635 874381