Community
bat walks
Since 2025 we’ve run an exciting program of community bat walks in our local nature hotspots - a fascinating and memorable way for residents to connect with our nocturnal wildlife!
Find out more about how to join one, what to expect and how to request one for your local group.
Incredible mammals with real super-powers!
Why bats? Good question! Our native bats feed exclusively on insects, which means they’re considered a key indicator species that tell us how healthy our local environment is. They’re also incredible creatures with real-life super-powers!
Did you know…?
Bats are the only mammal capable of true flight
Bats navigate and hunt in the dark using echolocation that we can hear on bat detectors
The most common bat in the UK is also the smallest, weighing the same as a 20p coin
What to expect on our bat walks
Our bat walks take place monthly between April and October when bats are active, in local wildlife hotspots including Pewsham Locks and Monkton Park.
They start 20 minutes before sunset with an interactive talk and Q&A bursting with bat facts! At sunset we hand out bat detectors so you can listen to their echolocation calls during our guided walk, which typically lasts around 60 to 80 minutes. All our bat walks start and finish at the same location.
They are suitable for most ages and abilities - but please be aware they take place in the dark on uneven ground, including gravel and grass paths. The pace is leisurely with plenty of stopping to marvel at the bats, and our team of volunteers ensure everyone is safe. Children in particular are welcome and love the experience!
“We had the most wonderful evening, it exceeded our expectations and we found all the information shared fascinating! We couldn’t believe the amount of bats we saw, just amazing. We would love to do another walk in the future. Thank you so much!”
- Laura & Noah
Made possible by you!
Our programme of bat walks have been made possible by our community, thanks to a successful Crowdfunder campaign we launched in 2025, match-funded by Aviva. Thank you!
This funding paid for our bat walk equipment and specialist training with the Bat Conservation Trust for our team of volunteers. We are also grateful to Wiltshire Bat Group for their amazing support and enthusiasm!
Book a bat walk!
Our bat walks become available to book on this page 30 days before the event.
Booking is essential as places are limited for health and safety reasons, and to ensure all participants get to use a bat detector.
We ask that you donate what you can afford for these events to help support our work in our community - we suggest £5 per ticket but any amount you're happy to give is greatly appreciated. This can be paid at ticket checkout.
Request a bat walk!
We love to run ad-hoc bat walks on request for local community and school groups, for a maximum of 20 people. To find out more please contact us using the form below, giving as much detail as possible about your group, including the size, ages and any other special considerations.
Get in touch
Got a question about our bat walks?
Send us a note and we’ll get back to you soon.
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