Discover British Wildflowers, Grasses – and Butterflies – with Ecologist Tom Brereton
An expert-led summer walk through the rich natural landscape of Symondsbury Estate
Join ecological expert Professor Tom Brereton for a fascinating guided walk around Symondsbury Estate, where you’ll gain new insights into identifying British wildflowers, grasses – and butterflies.
Tom is a leading ecological consultant with an MSc in Conservation and a PhD in Butterfly Ecology. His passion for the natural world is infectious, and his deep knowledge spans plant life, habitat ecology and, notably, butterfly identification.
During this walk, Tom will introduce you to the main plant groups – herbs, woody plants, sedges, grasses, ferns, and rushes – and show you how to tell them apart. He’ll also explore the habitats they thrive in and reveal how these plants reflect the area’s land use history, stretching back over 3,500 years to the Middle Bronze Age.
New for this walk: Butterfly spotting and identification!
2025 is already proving to be a bumper year for butterflies on the Estate – one of the best in living memory. Purple hairstreaks are being spotted in many of our oak trees, while elusive white-letter hairstreaks have been reported in elm trees too. You may also glimpse purple emperors, comma butterflies, and a host of other species in the meadows and woodlands.
Tom’s deep expertise in butterfly ecology brings a new dimension to the walk. With so many species active at this time of year, we’ll keep our eyes peeled for fluttering wings among the grasses and hedgerows – you never know what might appear on the day.
As we explore hedgerows, ancient woodland, rush pastures, Holloways, lowland meadows and acid grassland, you’ll come away with a renewed appreciation for the botanical and insect life all around you.
You may also be pleasantly surprised: grasses aren’t nearly as tricky to identify as you might think, and many butterflies are easier to spot with a few expert tips. Whether you’re a budding naturalist or just curious about the world outside your door, this walk promises to be both enriching and enjoyable.
Please note, tickets for all events and workshops are non-refundable and non-transferable. Maximum 15 people.
