Bugs and Beasts made its Henderson Community Park debut!

Our favourite day of the summer…Bugs and Beasts returned for 2025!

Now in its third year in Norwich, our epic celebration of nature, biodiversity and conservation made its debut in NR5, transforming Henderson Community Park into a wild playground of science.

Families and little explorers enjoyed a sunny day packed with free workshops, games, hands-on encounters and natured-themed fun. A huge thank you to everyone who braved the heat and joined us!

Bugs, beasts and biodiversity

From animal encounters and belemnite crafts to fly-vision goggles and face painting, our incredible exhibitors really brought nature to life!

Capoeira Communities got children moving with animal-inspired shapes, hopping like frogs, creeping like spiders and stretching like cats. Kids Party Circus Workshop were on hand with free face painting, transforming little ones into colourful butterflies, tigers and bugs, of course!

Dodo & Dinosaur mixed science with art, helping families craft their own belemnites and get hands-on with real fossils. At the Norfolk Record Office stand, history met biology, as visitors discovered how bugs can damage old documents before making their own crafty minibeasts to take home. And Norfolk Wildlife Trust put our nature knowledge to the test with their invertebrate lifecycle game!

For our younger visitors, the Wondertots area provided the chance to explore the world of minibeasts hands-on, with bug hunts, fly-vision goggles and the chance to help build a giant bug hotel. Budding detectives put their sleuthing skills to the test with Norfolk Police and Dr Mandy Hartley, analysing muddy boots to uncover stolen gold. Meanwhile, Not about the Bike kept families on the move, offering free bicycle checks and repairs.

Families also had the chance to meet some fascinating animals up close thanks to Bert’s Amazing Creatures. From snakes and bearded dragons to a giant rabbit and Salt the African pygmy hedgehog, there were plenty of memorable encounters – and some brave first-time handlers!

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.

An enormous thank you to all of our amazing exhibitors, staff, volunteers and The Henderson Trust for making this year’s event possible. We’re also incredibly grateful to The Baseline Centre and Future Projects, who kindly provided free packed lunches for children on the day.

Finally, a big thank you to our funders - Anguish’s Educational Foundation, Norwich Freemen’s Charity and the John Jarrold Trust - and, of course, to the brilliant families who joined us to celebrate the wonderful world of bugs and beasts!

See you next summer!