Somer Valley Rediscovered

13/06/2026

Community Picnic!
Join us this Saturday 13th June, 11:00am – 13:30pm for a relaxed and family-friendly community picnic by the brook in Waterside Valley as part of the

Bring along your blanket and picnic, settle in, and enjoy a lovely couple of hours surrounded by nature. There’ll be kids’ activities and trained volunteers carrying out river dipping, with a chance for everyone to take a closer look at the fascinating invertebrates they find🦋💧
You can also explore old photos of the area, share your memories, and chat with us about your hopes and dreams for the future of Waterside Valley.
🌱 Midday Wild Walk with Somer Valley Rediscovered
At 12pm, join Jess for a gentle riverside stroll into Haydon Batch. Pause at the stone circle for a short meditation and take time to slow down, connect with nature, and soak up peaceful river views. This easy, relaxed walk offers plenty of wildlife-spotting and a
chance to enjoy the valley’s natural beauty.
✨ Whether you stay for the picnic, join the walk, or both—come and enjoy a special day by the water with your community.

12/06/2026

💚 An update on Staddlestones Park 💚
Work will restart on 7 July
We know many of you are really missing your park and we want to reassure you that behind the scenes we’ve been doing everything we can to restart the work here.
Delays were caused by exceptional winter weather, additional protections for the veteran oak tree, and staff changes, not through any lack of care or commitment. We’re really sorry it’s taken longer than planned.

What’s left to do:
• Path improvements
• New entrances & interpretation
• Playground upgrades
• Fully tidy and reinstate the park

All works will be done carefully to protect the park 🌳
Thank you so much for your patience.

11/06/2026

We had an amazing Festival of Nature in the Somer Valley on Sunday! Thank you to the 200 people who joined us on the day for live music and nature themed art workshops run with our partners Somer Valley at Midsomer Norton Community Trust and Little Lost Robot

09/06/2026

We had an amazing Sunday at the ‘Festival of Nature’ event in more photos to come soon!

07/06/2026

Join us today 9:30 - 12:30 at the Midsomer Norton Hollies Gardens and Market Square for crafting and live music! Ice cream van is also here 🍦

07/06/2026

High Street Nature Trail - Starts today!
Follow the map and spot all of the nature that thrives on the Midsomer Norton High Street. Find all of the animals, facts and count the bumble bees painted on the shop windows using the map inside!
Did you know?
Otters can close their ears and nostrils underwater

Banded Demoiselle have nearly 360 degrees vision

Peacock butterflies have eye like markings on their wings to trick predators

Slow worms are not worms at all, they are actually legless lizards

Fungi are not plants and are more closely related to animals

Kingfishers have a transparent third eyelid that allows them to see underwater

See all of our Festival of Nature events here - somervalleyrediscovered.co.uk/festival-of-nature-in-the-somer-valley-2026/

06/06/2026

Sunday 7th June! Live music in the Hollies Garden, next to the Midsomer Norton Library.
Live Music Schedule:
9.30-10.00
Esther and Ben
10.15-10.45
Phantom
11.00-11.30
Jagged Law
11.45-12.30
Sun_Day

04/06/2026

Don't forget to check out the Park Cinema: A Celebration of Nature on Screen event taking place on Sunday 7th June, 15:00 - 18:00, in the Midsomer Norton Town Park Amphitheatre - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987124301277?aff=oddtdtcreator

Featuring:

My Garden of a Thousand Bees, our longer feature film in partnership with Wildscreen charity. This film "follows acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn as he sets out to record all the bee species in his tiny urban garden in Bristol, England." You will see "bees laying tiny eggs preparing for the next generation, green-fanged spiders feasting on male flower bees and a female yellow-faced bee attacking a Gasteruption wasp"
A short film of the Somer Valley Rediscovered greenspaces and where to explore
A look into the Active Way project who have been supporting health and well-being through active travel

03/06/2026

Nature on the High Street - Sunday 7th June
Join us on Midsomer Norton High Street in the Market Square, on The Island, and the Hollies Garden for a fun, drop-in art workshop during the Festival of Nature!

The Market Square, The Island
9:30 - 12:30
Little Lost Robot will be leading an art workshop where you can contribute to our sculptures of an oak tree, an under the river scene and a waxcap fungi grassland.
These sculptures will then be displayed on the high street and at the Midsomer Norton Town Fair on Saturday 11th July.

The Hollies Garden
9:30 - 12:30
A morning of music in with local bands and solo acts performing alongside school bands! With stalls doing art and crafts all related to the nature on the high street.
No need to book—just pop by and let your imagination run wild. Perfect for all ages and families who love a bit of hands-on creativity outdoors!

Nature on the High Street - Sunday 7th June
Join us on Midsomer Norton High Street in the Market Square, on The Island, for a fun, drop-in art workshop during the Festival of Nature!
Little Lost Robot will be leading an art workshop on Sunday 7th June 9:30 - 12:30 where you can contribute to our sculptures of an oak tree, an under the river scene and a waxcap fungi grassland. Learn about how we are regenerating Midsomer Norton High Street and the nature that thrives here.
These sculptures will then be displayed on the high street and at the Midsomer Norton Town Fair on Saturday 11July.
There will also be a morning of music in The Hollies Garden with local bands and solo acts performing alongside school bands! With stalls doing art and crafts all related to the nature on the high street.
This is your chance to explore nature-inspired art in a relaxed, friendly setting. No need to book—just pop by and let your imagination run wild. Perfect for all ages and families who love a bit of hands-on creativity outdoors!
Don't forget to check out the Park Cinema: A Celebration of Nature on Screen event taking place later in the day, 15:00 - 18:00, in the Midsomer Norton Town Park Amphitheatre - https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1987124301277?aff=oddtdtcreator