Nature-themed Visitor Programmes

When you’re thinking about a day out, what do you look for? Beauty? Adventure? Somewhere to keep the kids occupied? Escape?

What will help you decide? Sometimes it’s the simple things that help to create the perfect days out. Nature still offers us a reassuringly reliable basis for planning a visit outdoors.

Summer wildflower meadow

Nature programming

At the National Trust in the Peak District, we focused on nature as the key feature for our visitor programme planning. Seasonal visitor programmes work by shining a spotlight on nature or heritage throughout the year. A highlight could be a woodland walk filled with birdsong and carpets of bluebells in spring. You might like to return in summer to experience the colourful haymeadows, alive with the sound of buzzing bees. In autumn, wander under the falling leaves and listen to them crunch. You see how it works.

The biggest leaf in the park

Programming helped us to cut back on big and costly event planning, saving on time and limiting the impact of bad weather. Programmes work best when they run across all aspects of a visit. Marketing, catering and conservation work all need to link in, so everyone is brought in to develop programmes collaboratively.

Nature Connectedness

Nature offers its own seasonal programme but the key here is to find ways to help visitors really connect with nature on a deeper level. Through deeper connections, visitors find a greater sense of wellbeing and increased pro-nature behaviours, according to the Nature Connectedness Research Group at Derby University.

Provide a place to sit to take in the view and connect to nature

Long term programming

Having established the core nature programmes in the Peak District, I then worked with the teams to create longer, five year programmes. Long-term programming enables more effective financial planning, grant applications and bigger ambitions. We looked ahead to the opportunity to work again with artists and to greater and more sustainable community involvement in our work. By gathering archives, research, stories and people together, I’ve worked with teams to help them visualise and develop their long-term visitor offer.

Waterlicht in Winnats Pass, National Trust, Abandon Normal Devices, Chris Foster, Studio Roosegaarde