The GAP Festival - The Wonders of the Natural World Family event
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Start date13th Jun 2026 -
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Start Time09:30End Time17:00 -
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LocationRectory Gardens, Goring-on-Thames, RG8 9AG -
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PriceFree
Step into a day of discovery on Saturday, 13th June. Explore nature, space, and science through hands-on activities, live talks, and interactive experiences. The Wonders of the Natural World boasts a wide range of free and ticketed experiences throughout the day across the Main Stage, Space Zone, Nature Zone, Arts and Craft Zone, and Storytelling Corner.
With refreshments available throughout the day, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
🎤 Main Stage
An exciting programme of FREE talks, performances, and inspiring speakers, including Wildlife Adventures with Simon Booker and The Secrets of Dinosaurs with Dr Jacob Gardner.
📚 Storytelling Corner
Celebrate the National Year of Reading by unwinding with a good book and soaking up stories from our community at the storytelling corner. Awesome Books will be giving away over 500 free books throughout the day.
🚀 Space Zone
Try your hand at building a satellite, take a look through a solar telescope and explore the solar system in virtual reality.
🌿 Nature Zone
Swing by the Nature Zone to learn more about the natural environment. Meet the Mend the Gap team, and discover the special plants unique to our local chalk and wetland habitats.
🎨 Arts and Crafts Zone
Take part in hands-on activities, explore artistic techniques, and enjoy a range of FREE creative sessions for all ages.
🦋 Family Nature Trail
Set off on an adventure on the Family Nature Trail and explore the wonders of nature along the River Thames.
📸 Nature Photography Exhibition
St Thomas’ Church will feature an exhibition of spellbinding wildlife portraits, alongside shortlisted entries from the Children’s Nature Photography Competition, where you could win a Day Family Pass to Beale Park!
Brought to you by The GAP Festival
The Wonders of the Natural World family fun day is part of The GAP Festival which runs from 12th – 21st June. This year’s event features more than 65 events spanning music, arts, science, nature, wellbeing, theatre, and more! Whether you’re drawn to hands-on creativity, curious talks, outdoor adventures, or moments of calm, the 2026 programme offers something for every age, interest, and pace of life.
Additional information
Ticketed Events Available on Saturday 13 June
Science Live!
Join The Royal Institution for this unforgettable, fast-paced and interactive science show packed with experiments, explosions, and hands-on participation.
Show times: 10 am-11 am, 11.30 am-12.30 pm, 2 pm-3 pm. Tickets £5, Goring Hall, Main Hall.
Discover Robotics and Coding Through LEGO®
Build programmable LEGO® models, learn basic block‑based coding, and bring your creations to life with motors and sensors.
Workshop times: 10 am-11.30 am, 1 pm-2.30 pm, 3 pm-4.30 pm. Tickets £10, Goring Hall, Garden Room.
Screen Printing Workshop
Get creative in this family screen printing T-shirt workshop.
Workshop times: 10.30 am-12.30 pm, 1.30 pm-3.30 pm. Tickets £10, St Thomas’, The Canterbury Room.
Bookable experiences
We have carefully chosen our most immersive and memorable Chilterns countryside experiences to share with you here. Choose from active countryside, food & drink, countryside learning and Chilterns sightseeing. All are bookable online.
Featured walks
A selection of some of the best walks in the Chilterns, from short easy strolls to all day walks, and all through beautiful scenery. The best way to shake off the cobwebs, enjoy tranquil surroundings and burn a few calories!
