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Bugs and Beasts lands at Harford Park

2026 SOYD Norwich Science Festival

Bringing science to your doorstep

It wouldn’t be summer without Bugs and Beasts! Our free, nature-themed event for families returned for its fourth year, this time popping up in NR4.  

Having previously visited Waterloo Park and Henderson Community Park, Bugs and Beasts made its way to Harford Park for the first time. And despite the heat, around 500 people joined us to get stuck into a day of science, wildlife, crafts and a Mr Whippy...or two!

For its fourth year, Bugs and Beasts headed to a new home at Harford Park (Image by Beth Moseley)

Bugs and Beasts is part of Science on Your Doorstep, our year-round community project with The Forum, bringing science and STEAM activities to communities across Norwich. Each event is created in collaboration with local organisations and community groups, giving families the chance to get involved in something fun, hands-on and completely free, right on their doorstep.

And there was plenty to get stuck into at Harford Park!

A park full of bugs and beasts

With an event name like Bugs and Beasts, you’d expect plenty of creepy-crawlies! Ed’s Mini Monsters brought along some amazing invertebrates for visitors to meet, while the Broads Authority invited families to get stuck into pond dipping and discover some native Norfolk wildlife.

The Master Composters were on hand to show us how to set up our very own composting systems and meet some minibeasts that call compost home. Over with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, visitors tested their natural history knowledge with a lifecycle game, while the Norfolk Record Office uncovered a slightly less welcome side of the bug world - the pesky critters that can cause damage to historic documents!

Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families had the chance to meet some fascinating bugs and beasts up close (Image by Beth Moseley)

There was plenty to explore beyond the creepy crawlies, too. Capoeira Communities got everyone moving with their unique mix of dance, martial arts and acrobatics, while Walk Wheel Cycle Trust helped budding artists turn pedal-power into art with their kinetic creations.

And, of course, there was plenty of making to be done! Taking inspiration from some of nature's most beautiful insects, Norwich Making Space ran an Insect Art Lab in our dedicated quiet space, the Sunflower Snug. Meanwhile Dodo & Dinosaur took things back to the prehistoric, with some crafty armoured dinosaur activities.

Over with Danby Wood and We Love Harford Park, visitors got stuck into bark rubbing, creating artwork inspired by the textures and patterns found in nature. And at the other end of the park, families could help artist Alice Lee bring a colourful mural to life - creating the ultimate Bugs and Beasts memento!

There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)
There were lots of opportunities to get creative! (Image by Beth Moseley)

The School of Psychology had lots of activities to keep our youngest visitors entertained, and over with Unplugged Tots, future scientists could pretend to be bees, following a buzzing set of algorithms to navigate between flowers and collect pollen.

The Matthew Project kindly donated a bug hotel for the park's minibeast residents, while Our Power was on hand to chat about community energy. And then there was the all-important case of the missing pizza! Norfolk Police, working with Dr Mandy Hartley, challenged budding detectives to follow the clues and crack the case.

And, of course, no Bugs and Beasts would be complete without a bit of face painting and ice cream! Kids Party Circus Workshop transformed visitors into everything from bumblebees to butterflies with free face painting, while Mr Frosty’s kept everyone cool with sweet treats. Science is hungry work, after all.

Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)
Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free activities (Image by Beth Moseley)

Science on Your Doorstep

Bugs and Beasts is presented by Norwich Science Festival and The Forum, as part of our Science on Your Doorstep project - bringing free, fun and accessible science events directly to local communities.

A huge thank you to all of our brilliant exhibitors, volunteers and staff for making Bugs and Beasts possible, and to everyone at Harford Park for welcoming us.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Future Projects for providing free packed lunches for children, and to the volunteers from St Paul’s Church who served the refreshments on the day.

It was really great to see so many of our local families in the community of Tuckswood and Lakenham attending and engaging with so many activities.

Reverend Matt Luscombe, St Paul’s Church

And finally, a big thank you to Norwich Consolidated Charities for supporting the event, and to all of the families who joined us to celebrate the wonderful world of bugs and beasts.

We hope you had as much fun as we did!

Bugs and Beasts is presented by Norwich Science Festival and The Forum, as part of our Science on Your Doorstep project (Image by Beth Moseley)

Science on Your Doorstep

Science on Your Doorstep aims to inspire new audiences and spark their curiosity in all things STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and maths) through free, fun and accessible events in partnership with local communities.

Find out more about our year-round community project, SOYD