Wigan and Leigh hosts a free family weekend full of wild adventures at Pennington Flash

Looking for the perfect way to spend the weekend with the kids? Pennington Flash which forms part of The Flashes of Wigan and Leigh, the first and only National Nature Reserve in Greater Manchester, invites guests for a weekend full of free family fun with plenty of nature themed events. Here’s a full round up of what to expect:

THE HERDS

• Saturday 5th July
• 1pm

Make a weekend of it and come along on Saturday as the herds takes over Pennington Flash. As part of their final stop on their Greater Manchester journey, THE HERDS find a fleeting refuge in the wild beauty. Visitors are invited to explore the park’s winding trails, pause in bird hides, and quietly observe as 70 life sized puppets appear amid the trees and wetlands.

Flashes of Nature Festival

• Sunday 6th July
• 11am

Get ready to dive into a day packed with exciting activities, amazing wildlife, and hands-on fun. From eco-crafts and live performances to fairground rides, storytelling, and adventure zones, there’s something to spark curiosity in visitors of all ages.

• Explore wildlife and nature through themed workshops and interactive exhibits
• Get creative at craft stations and nature-inspired art sessions
• Discover local eco-markets and pick up unique handmade goodies
• Laugh and play at the family funfair and climbing wall
• Enjoy live outdoor arts and roaming entertainers around every corner

Thanks to partnerships with Wigan Council, Down To Earth, Wigan & Leigh College, and others, this year’s festival is full of immersive installations and creative wonders where art, science and storytelling meet nature:

• Mother of the Sea, a sound sculpture inspired by local botanist Kathleen Mary Drew Baker, affectionately known in Japan as “the mother of the sea.”
• Colourscape, a magical, walk-through labyrinth of light, music, and sensory exploration for all ages.
• Tree Story Photo Walks, join photographer Lizzie King and ex-miner Alan Davies on a family-friendly photo adventure that weaves nature and industrial history together.
• Building with Nature, discover sustainable architecture with hands-on exhibits by Wigan & Leigh College and local architects.

The whole family can also enjoy botanical ink workshops, The Bees by Artizani, the whimsical Bewonderment Machine, and a buzzing festival hub filled with food, drinks, artisan stalls, and crafts. Please note: entry to the festival is free, however some activities may incur a small fee.