While the evenings are still light, get out after work and on the trail of bats. These are wildlife walks that all the family can enjoy, especially children, who will find the prospect of real, live bats thrilling. It’s also a great way for people of all ages to burn some calories and to improve general fitness. We choose the best walks around the country to sink your teeth into.
BIG BATTY WALKS, LONDON WETLAND CENTRE
A great place to see bats swooping through the shadows at the end of the day. As bats hibernate for winter, this month may be your last chance to catch them. On a walk here, an expert gives a talk on what to look for before leading the group out among the ponds and lakes to see the winged beasts in flight.
Where London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, London SW13. When Tonight, 6.55pm-9.20pm. Additional walks are being held on Sept 14 and 21; phone for times.
Suitable for Over-8s only.
Cost £8 per person.
Contact 020-8409 4400; www.org.uk/visit/wetlandcentre; booking is essential.
ELVETHAM HEATH LOCAL NATURE RESERVE, HAMPSHIRE
Laura Willing, a bat expert, leads walkers on this after-dark bat hunt around the nature reserve at Elvetham Heath. With plenty of insects to feast on, the bats should be in plentiful supply. Keep your fingers crossed for a bright moon and some hooting owls to add to the atmosphere.
Where Elvetham Heath, nr Fleet, Hampshire.
When Sept 13 and 16, 7.30pm-9pm.
Suitable for All ages.
Cost Free.
Contact 01252 623443. Booking is not essential. Meet at Turner’s Pond, Elvetham Heath.
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NEWARK PARK BAT WALK, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Perched on a 40ft clifftop, Newark Park is an eerie-looking, turreted Georgian manor, full of atmosphere and the perfect place to see flocks of bats swooping in the moonlight. In this sort of environment, those of a nervous disposition may want to bring along some garlic and a crucifix.
Where Newark Park, Ozleworth, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire.
When Sept 14, 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Suitable for Over-5s.
Cost Adults £5; children £2.50.
Contact 0870 3000579; booking essential.
BAT WALK FOR CHILDREN, ROSLISTON FORESTRY CENTRE, DERBYSHIRE
It is easy to see why children love bat walks, given the combination of scary associations and the chance to stay up late. Here, bat experts will teach children about where the mammals live, what they eat and how they see in the dark, before leading them out for a watch in the spooky surroundings of Rosliston Wood. Just don’t mention vampires if you want them to sleep at night.
Where Rosliston Forestry Centre, Rosliston Wood, the National Forest, Derbyshire.
When Sept 19, 6.30pm-8.15pm.
Suitable for All ages.
Cost £1.50 per person.
Contact 01283 538909; no booking required.
“GOING BATTY” BAT WALK, RENISHAW HALL, DERBYSHIRE
The grounds of Renishaw Hall, a 17th-century mansion with battlements, make a suitably Gothic environment to watch the flocks of bats that gather in this Derbyshire valley by night. After the walk, the evening concludes with a pie-and-peas dinner to sink your fangs into, and the chance to examine a tame bat up close.
Where Renishaw Hall, Renishaw, Derbyshire.
When Sept 22, 6.30pm-9pm.
Suitable for All ages.
Cost £10.50.
Contact 01246 432310; booking essential. Bring a torch.
BANGERS AND BATS, ILAM PARK, THE SOUTH PEAK ESTATE
An unusual combination — sausages and bat-spotting — but one that works well for the Staffordshire Bat Group. Join them as they train their detectors on the skies at the National Trust’s Ilam Park, on the Derbyshire border. The price includes a bangers-and-mash supper in the tearoom first.
Where South Peak Estate, Ilam, near Ashbourne, Derbyshire.
When Sept 15, 7pm-10pm.
Suitable for Over-10s only.
Cost £10.
Contact 01335 350503; booking is essential. Bring a torch.
BAT WATCH, GLENBRANTER FOREST, ARGYLL AND BUTE
There are several species of bat in Britain: noctule bats, which often come out in the day, and pipistrelles or Natterer’s bats, which provide the classic bat image as they swarm out of caves by night. On this bat watch, you will get the chance to learn about various species before, hopefully, observing them in action as they flock around this stunning Forestry Commission reserve.
Where Glenbranter Forest, Argyll Forest Park, Argyll and Bute.
When Sept 13, 7.30pm-10pm.
Suitable for All ages, but children must be accompanied.
Cost Adults £5, children free.
Contact 01369 860703; booking essential.
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BAT WALK, DAVID MARSHALL LODGE, STIRLING
As bats can be difficult to see when cloaked by the night, all walk leaders use special detectors that translate bats’ ultrasonic chirruping into audible clicks. Supervising the walk here will be the resident batgirl Katie Freeman, who will give a talk about the different species of bat before taking the group out into the Forestry Commission’s Queen Elizabeth Park.
Where David Marshall Lodge Visitor Centre, Achray Forest, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Stirling.
When Tonight, 7.30pm-late.
Suitable for All ages. No dogs.
Cost £5 per person; under-14s are free but must be accompanied.
Contact 01877 382258; booking is essential.
For more information on these stars of the night, phone the bat helpline on 0845 1300228; www.bats.org.uk