The Colne Valley Park Festival Fortnight 18th July to 1st August 2025
The Festival Fortnight, runs for two weeks with different types of events running through the Regional Park, giving the local community opportunity to explore many of their local gems and connect with their countryside. This year we are partnering up with volunteer groups, local authorities, organisation and charities in the Colne Valley Park, with different types of events, to highlight all the amazing things the regional park has to offer; Guided Walks, Activities for Children and Families and more. See the full programme below.
Festival Programme
18th Century Life at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Friday 18 Jul 2025 - Wednesday 30 Jul 2025
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles
Visit the Chiltern Open Air Museum and find out what life was like for the lady who lived in Leagrave Cottage in the 18th Century; she might be sewing, writing, cooking, cleaning/polishing or using a traditional spinning wheel.
Fermenting Workshop Love your loaf at Woodoaks Farm
Monday 21 Jul 2025
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
A hands-on workshop with Lucy Williamson Nutrition at Woodoaks Farm where you'll learn the joy of sourdough - the bread that loves you back! Discover the secrets of fermentation, improved digestion, and healthful living!
Discover and explore your local geology at Northmoor Hill Wood with Bucks Geology Group.
Thursday 24 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Northmoor Hill Wood Nature Reserve, Denham
Venture out on guided walks (book your ticket here) led by members of the Bucks Geology Group, who will unravel the secrets of Northmoor’s rocks and landscape. Witness the layers of time beneath your feet and learn to identify the stones that have shaped Northmoor. Look and handle the items on the rock and fossil display (no booking needed, just turn up). Volunteers will be on hand to answer your questions and share remarkable stories about each find. Look at our geological map – what rocks are beneath your house?
Woodoaks Farm Wildflower Walk
Thursday 24 Jul 2025
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross
Join volunteer wildflower expert Graham Everett for an evening Wildflower Walk at Woodoaks as part of the Colne Valley Festival Fortnight. A wonderful chance to explore the various pastures and wildflower verges that the farm has to offer.
Friday evening cruise on the Grand Union Canal
Friday 25 Jul 2025
5:30 PM - 6:45 PM
Batchworth Lock Canal Centre, Rickmansworth
Relax with a Friday evening cruise on the Grand Union! Experience the evening peace and tranquility of the canal with Rickmansworth Waterways Trust new Friday late cruises. From Batchworth Lock, Rickmansworth to Lot Mead Lock, Croxley and return (approx 1 hour).
Guided Walk – Denham Woodlands
Saturday 26 Jul 2025
10:00 AM - 1:30 PM
Northmoor Hill Wood Nature Reserve, Denham
Explore the ancient Denham woodlands and the beautiful Misbourne Valley on a circular walk, led by Xavier Drury from Groundwork South, and Paul Graham, Colne Valley Park Trustee; starting and ending at Northmoor Hill Wood.
Heritage Crafts Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum
Saturday 26 Jul 2025 - Sunday 27 Jul 2025
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles
Visit Chiltern Open Air Museum, step back in time and witness traditional crafts in action.
Maple Lodge Nature Reserve Open Weekend
Saturday 26 Jul 2025 - Sunday 27 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Maple Lodge, Maple Cross
What a Treat! Maple Lodge Nature Reserve will be open to the general public all weekend from Saturday 26th-Sunday 27th July
Moth & Butterfly Walk Talk & Count at Woodoaks Farm
Saturday 26 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross
Join butterfly enthusiast Martin Taylor and expert entomologist John Mynett for a two-hour walk exploring the butterflies and moths of Woodoaks Farm.
Harmondsworth Barn Open Day
Sunday 27 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
The Great Barn, Harmondsworth Barn, Harmondsworth
Explore this medieval barn on the former Manor Farm in the village of Harmondsworth, in the London Borough of Hillingdon, it is open from 11am to 4pm on the second and fourth Sundays of the month.
Church Gardens in Harefield Sunday Opening
Sunday 27 Jul 2025
12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Discover Harefield’s secret gardens: Church Gardens are a family restoration project open to the public on Sunday afternoons, 12-5pm, from April 27th–October 19th and on Bank Holiday Mondays 11am- 5pm
Rickmansworth Aquadrome walk
Sunday 27 Jul 2025
2:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Rickmansworth Aquadrome Walk organised by Hertfordshire Health Walks.
Brass Rubbing Trail at Denham Country Park
Monday 28 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Colne Valley Visitor Centre, Denham
Get on the trail! Butterfly, kingfisher, oak leaf…can you find them and the other plants and animals on the brass rubbing trail?
Free Summer Holiday Fun Activities at the Woodland Centre Ruislip Lido
Monday 28 Jul 2025 - Friday 1 Aug 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ruislip Lido Woodland Centre, Ruislip
Free Summer Holiday Fun Activities for children and families organised by Hillingdon Council at the Woodland Centre beside Ruislip Lido. Games, mini beast hunts and art to kick start the holidays.
Family Bug hunting and habitat creation in Iver
Tuesday 29 Jul 2025
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Hardings Row Nature Reserve, Iver Heath
Find out which mini beasts live in your local nature reserve. Then help us do some work to create a wildlife friendly habitat. A great chance to learn more about your local nature reserve and what fun it is to visit.
Life at the Lake
Tuesday 29 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Stocker’s Lake, Rickmansworth
Go along and discover what lives at Stocker’s Lake at this summer holiday event organised by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Family Fun Evening - Pond Dipping and Pita Pizzas
Tuesday 29 Jul 2025
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Iver Environment Centre and nature reserves in Iver Heath, Iver
Iver Environment Centre are organising a Family Fun Evening during Festival Fortnight - Pond Dipping and Pita Pizzas during the Festival Fortnight. Join them on a summer evening to explore their amazing site. Workshop: Family Pond Dipping
Family Fun Day at Iver Environment Centre
Thursday 31 Jul 2025
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Iver Environment Centre, Iver
Family Fun Morning or Afternoon at Iver Environment a great opportunity to explore their site. There will be a trail, craft activities and more - and the playground and mud kitchen will be available, too!
Life at the Lake
Thursday 31 Jul 2025
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Stocker’s Lake, Rickmansworth
Go along and discover what lives at Stocker’s Lake at this summer holiday event organised by Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust.
Family Bug hunting and habitat creation in Iver
Thursday 31 Jul 2025
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Swan Meadow, Iver
Go on a bug hunt and see what mini beasts you can find, then help us do some work to create friendly habitats to encourage more wildlife. A great chance to volunteer with your children, learn more about your local nature reserve and what fun it is to visit.
Family Fun Day at Iver Environment Centre
Friday 1 Aug 2025
10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Iver Environment Centre, Iver
Family Fun Morning or Afternoon at Iver Environment a great opportunity to explore their site. There will be a trail, craft activities and more - and the playground and mud kitchen will be available, too!
Led Walk: Harefield
Friday 1 Aug 2025
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Hillingdon Council organise a regular led walk from Harefield along the Grand Union Canal past Black Jack's Lock, which you would be very welcome to join, it starts at Harefield Green bus stop.
Walk and Talk with farmer John at Woodoaks Farm
Friday 1 Aug 2025
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Woodoaks Farm, Maple Cross
Join farmer John Whitby of Rowley Farm for a walk and talk of Woodoaks Farm and learning about what it involves to transition to organic farming life. Family friendly event.
Guided Bat Walk in Ruislip Woods
Friday 1 Aug 2025
9:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Ruislip Lido Woodland Centre, Ruislip
Join Ruislip Woods Trust for a guided evening walk around the Lido in Ruislip Woods and hopefully see some bats. Walk organised by Hillingdon council.
Wild Week at Iver Environment Centre
Monday 4 Aug 2025 - Friday 8 Aug 2025
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Iver Environment Centre, Iver
Send your children to Iver Environment Centre from 10am to 4pm each day for a whole week of outdoor adventures.
Thank You for Making the Festival Fortnight 2024 a Success!
As we came to the end of this year’s Festival Fortnight, we couldn’t help but feel incredibly grateful for all of you who attended and contributed to the event. The festival’s success wouldn’t have been possible without your support and enthusiasm.
We were thrilled to see the high-quality events taking place in almost every corner of the Regional Park. Here are some photos taken during Festival Fortnight 2024.
Festival Fortnight 2023 Photogallery
Some pictures of the Colne Valley Festival Fortnight 2023.
