Bath will be the opening weekend host of the UK’s largest free celebration of the natural world, the Festival of Nature, from Saturday, June 7 to Sunday, June 15, 2025. This year, the festival will focus on the theme of water, bringing attention to the significance of rivers and streams in sustaining both wildlife and people.
The festival will celebrate the newly launched Bath Riverline, a riverside trail connecting green spaces in the city through a range of activities, including paddleboarding on the River Avon, storytelling sessions, scientific talks, and artistic displays. Attendees will be encouraged to engage with the river as a lifeline for the city’s ecology, with most events being free and open to all ages.
The opening weekend in Bath will include a Family Day at SouthGate on Saturday, June 7, featuring parades, stalls, crafts, and entertainment for all ages. On Sunday, June 8, attendees can partake in kayaking and paddleboarding activities led by Original Wild, or attend an outdoor screening of River (2021) at Bath Quays, followed by a Q&A session on local waterway protection.
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Other highlights include a panel discussion on nature and wellbeing, a late-night photography exhibition, and a guided wildlife walk along the riverside. The festival will also feature an interactive art installation called “One Drop, Infinite Ripples” at the Bath Artists Studio, showcasing community care for water.
Savita Willmott, chief executive of the Natural History Consortium, expressed excitement about the festival’s most ambitious program yet, emphasizing the importance of water spaces and journeys in supporting nature, biodiversity, and the natural world. With over 80 events, the festival aims to make nature accessible, inspiring, and part of everyday life.
To avoid disappointment, attendees are encouraged to book their tickets early as many events are expected to get booked up quickly.