What’s on at Ferne

Upcoming Events and Activities…

Watercolouring Workshop

Watercolouring Workshop

Do you want to come along and learn the art of watercolour painting or gift a hands-on experience?

These workshops are relaxed and informal to encourage you to be more mindful and use art to destress. You’ll will also walk away with a beautiful new creation to be proud of!

The first will be hosted on May 5th where the theme will be bees and bugs.

Whether you wish to start painting or just need somewhere to come and relax with like-minded people, our upcoming watercolour workshops with Emma Keys are perfect for you.

Reserve your spot here!

Felting Class

Felting Class

After a successful wet felting class, Julie will be hosting another craft workshop at Ferne on May 12th.

In this workshop, you will learn how to make prefelts which offer greater control over your designs. You can use these to create pictures for framing or to craft into coasters, cases, bags, and more.

Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, this workshop will inspire your creativity and provide you with the skills to make unique and personalised gifts for your loved ones.

Limited tickets are available, so make sure to secure yours promptly by visiting our online shop

May Celebration

May Celebration

Join Us for the May Bank Holiday at Ferne Sanctuary

We’re thrilled to host our very first May Celebration, dedicated to honoring wildlife! It’s an event not to be missed!

Pond Dipping

Join our Creative Corner team with nets and magnifying pots to explore the pond life that call Ferne their home; including baby newts, pond snails, beetle larvae and water boatmen.

Wildlife Photography Stands

Explore some of the local talent and wildlife in Somerset and Devon with our wildlife photography stands where you can purchase some beautiful shots for yourself or as a gift

Wildlife Walk

Find out about the wildlife that call Ferne home including in our bug hotels at Fernehenge with a wildlife walk conducted by our Creative Corner team

Spot the Frog

You might have spotted Freddy Ferne on our social media and at events recently, but have you heard about his friend Lollihops? Come and see if you can spot our frog mascot who will be at this wildlife event!

Animal Talks

Nicole, a consultant ecologist working with bats and other protected animals will be joining us to give you a talk on everything bats

Den building

Get hands-on experience in the art of wilderness survival. Learn how to build your own den and tree identification from our estates team. Master resilience in nature and discover essential skills to thrive in the great outdoors.

Every visit supports our mission to provide care, shelter, and love to animals in need. Your attendance helps make a difference in their lives. Additonally, or events only you can enjoy a reduced rate of £5 per adult and £1 per child

Celebrate the May bank holiday with us! Engage in wildlife education activities and enjoy a day filled with surprises and fun for the whole family

May Half Term

May Half Term

Welcome to Wildlife Wonders at Ferne!

This half term, join us for an array of educational wildlife themed activities. Engage with our Creative Corner team for exciting hands on activities, each activity will unleash your creativity and bring you closer to the wonders of the natural world.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and foster a love for wildlife this half term!

Pond Dipping: Please note that pond dipping is weather-dependent to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all

Birds on a branch Paint Event

Birds on a branch Paint Event

Do you want to come along and learn how to paint your very own beautiful birds masterpiece? Or perhaps treat someone to the experience as a gift!

We are incredibly excited to have Karen Huwen, an experienced teacher and award winning artist, to host a painting afternoon here at the sanctuary in our function room on June 2nd.

Karen will take you through every step to paint your very own masterpiece on canvas. No experience or drawing skills needed, just your enthusiasm and a desire to create something pawtastic to take home and put on your wall! Just bring yourself as we will provide all the necessary materials.

Click here to secure limited spot, and enjoy complimentary tea and coffee

All profits will go towards the vital care for all our animals who find themselves at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

Calling all daredevils…

Calling all daredevils…

Have you always wanted to do a skydive or ride on the wing of a vintage Boeing Stearman?! Well great news, you can do either of these and raise money for the animals in our care at the same time!

Join our fearless fundraisers on Saturday the 8th June 2024 at Skydive buzz in Dunkeswell.

Raise the minimum amount and skydive or wing-walk for free! For more info visit our Fundraise for Us page and get in touch!

Dog First Aid

Dog First Aid

Our popular Allwinds first aid will be returning with another course this July to ensure your confidence in handling any situation

This dog first aid course runs for six hours (including refreshment breaks) and is delivered by director Amanda Williams who is a qualified veterinary nurse. Included is your certificate of attendance which is valid for three years from the date of completion and fully complies with the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and The Animal Welfare Act 2006.

The course includes knowledge building around:
– Bleeding
– Heatstroke
– Burns
– Seizures
– Traffic accidents
– Drowning
– CPR

Our last course sold out over 2 months beforehand so be quick to get your tickets here

Summer At Ferne

Summer At Ferne

Explore a world of summer wonders at Ferne!

With a diverse range of activities every week, there’s never a dull moment. From celebrating International cat day to educational talks and exploring the wildlife in our ponds. Each activity will unleash your creativity and passion for animal welfare.

22/7 to 4/8 (2 weeks) – Planting

5/8 to 11/8 – Cat Crafts

12/8 to 18/8 – Pond Dipping

19/8 to 25/8 – Bug Hotels

26/8 to 1/9 – Tile Painting

All week Scavenger Hunt

We will also be hosting chicken and rabbit talks too, please keep an eye out for more information on this

Step into our Creative Corner this summer and join our passionate team for an experience brimming with creativity and discovery

Summer Fayre

Summer Fayre

Step right up and immerse yourself in the magic of our Summer Fayre!

With an entrance fee of just £5 for adults and £1 for children, it’s an affordable day out for the whole family.

Prepare to be entertained with a delightful array of activities that capture the essence of classic fete fun. Challenge your friends and family to a round of welly wangling. Or test your strategic prowess with a game of noughts and crosses.

For the little ones, there’s a thrilling lucky dip waiting to be explored, with excitement for every dip. Feeling adventurous? Dive into our sock game and see if you can guess what’s hidden inside each sock in record time or with the most accurate guesses.

And of course, no fayre would be complete without the timeless hoopla! Try your luck at this classic game of skill and precision, and see if you have the steadiest aim

Join us for a day of laughter at our Summer Fayre.

Wire Flower Sculpting Workshop

Wire Flower Sculpting Workshop

Join us for this exciting opportunity to create your own bouquet of flowers – out of wire.

Sculpting with wire is a magical process This workshop will see you arrive as a beginner and leave clutching a collection of beautifully made flowers, with pride!

Using wire, pliers and cutters, the tutor will show you the techniques of hand weaving wire to create a variety of flowers. This will include fuchsias, daffodils and seed heads.

The two workshops will run from 9.30 – 12.30 and 1.30 to 4.30. All the materials to make your bouquet of wire flowers will be provided. Please note, we recommend wearing old clothes and even an apron, as wire can be quite messy.

We are looking forward to this workshop, and look forward to seeing a host of beautiful blooms!

Don’t miss the opportunity to unleash your creativity and get your tickets here

Ferne’s Annual Dog Show

Ferne’s Annual Dog Show

Our favourite event of the year! Ferne’s annual dog show returns on Sunday 1st September with fun classes, have-a-go agility, stands, fundraising activities, delicious food and lots more.

All funds raised go straight back to Ferne Animal Sanctuary, so please come along with your furry best friend and support Ferne.

We will be releasing more information on this event closer to the time.

Doglaw Seminar

Doglaw Seminar

Attention to all dog owners, dog walkers, pet sitters and other dog care professionals. 

Trevor Cooper is the leading dog law specialist in the country. Take this opportunity to stay current and ask any dog law related questions face to face.

Save the date and be a part of this unique opportunity to engage with the leading dog law specialist in the country and click here for more information.

Full Moon & Spring Equinox Healing Sound & Yoga Retreat

Full Moon & Spring Equinox Healing Sound & Yoga Retreat

Stretch, cleanse, re-align and relax with Healing Sound & Yoga

Karen Ward will be returning to Ferne Animal Sanctuary for another yoga retreat joined by healing sound practitioner, Alexandra Simson.

Come along on Sunday 6th October and give yourself some valuable time out on the mat.

In this retreat you will be releasing tension with yoga and breathwork.

Followed by a sound bath and full moon meditation with the gongs – to deeply relax and realign.

The pure harmonics of these extraordinary instruments soothe and slow your busy mind into a meditative state while the vibrations gently restore resonance and harmony throughout your physical and non-physical body. Deeply restorative and rejuvenating, by the end you’ll feel beautifully calm and relaxed.

Your time together will close with some light snacks

Secure your limited space for by clicking here 

Please note that although gong baths have healing properties, it is advisable to avoid them if you have undergone major surgery within the past 6 weeks, are in the first trimester of pregnancy, or have been diagnosed with epilepsy.

Halloween

Halloween

Help us celebrate Halloween at Ferne by joining us for a spooktacular event for the whole family at Ferne Animal Sanctuary.

We will be revealing all you need to know on the run up to this event

Christmas Market and Animal Blessing

Christmas Market and Animal Blessing

We will be holding our annual Christmas Fayre on Sunday 1st December.

We have a super collection of stalls featuring hand crafted goods. The tranquil setting of Ferne makes Christmas shopping a pleasure. Why not make a day of it and enjoy a meal at Nina’s?

Join us and our barn animals for our heartwarming annual animal blessing at 4pm

Keep your eyes peeled for more information

Willow Workshop

Willow Workshop

Enjoy an afternoon of crafting at our popular Willow Workshop!

Join us on Saturday 7th December from 10am to 3pm for a unique experience where you’ll create your very own robin hare. Hosted by Fon Cosens.

All materials are provided, ensuring a hassle-free and enjoyable crafting journey.

The workshop fee of £60 covers all materials as well as refreshments.

Unleash your creativity and take home a charming willow robin masterpiece. Limited spots available

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