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The summer buzz of nature will be accompanied by the sound of nature-inspired music at Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve (NNR) on Saturday, 25 July.


The ‘Sounds like Summer’ music and nature festival at Aston Rowant NNR builds on last year’s success, with a bigger line up of musicians from Oxfordshire and more activities for all the family. The festival will take place on a hill in the NNR, with stunning views across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The fun and music will be suitable for all ages and will cover a range of styles including folk, blues, soul, jazz and alternative.

Jenny Crook, Natural England’s Community Liaison Officer for Aston Rowant NNR says: “Aston Rowant NNR offers us great ‘natural’ experiences, especially during the buzz of the summertime, when you can breathe in the scent of thyme, basil and marjoram as you watch butterflies take to the air all around you.”

“Not only does the ‘Sounds like Summer’ event give us the chance to experience and learn about the nature on the site, it also allows us to share how other’s have interpreted the natural world. Each of us has different experiences of the natural environment and we all value it in different ways. Music is a great way of expressing these feelings and values, so come along and find out how nature has inspired others, while getting inspired yourself, and even the sound system is green, it’s pedal powered!”

The event will help people get closer to nature in other ways too. There will be instrument and drum making from natural materials, storytelling, bird watching and health walks amongst many other activities. The event is also the setting for the final of the Hammer and Tonge Climate Change performance poetry competition for young people, so there really will be something for children of all ages.

Cathy Rose, Activities and Education Officer, Chilterns Conservation Board says: “The summer is the best time to see the butterflies and flowers at Aston Rowant. The day will include a wild flower guided walk for those who want to learn about the special nature at the reserve and we’ll be offering lots of information on the best parts of the local countryside to visit in the future.”

The ‘Sounds Like Summer’ event has been organised by Natural England and the Chilterns Conservation Board. With support from Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust, ARocha UK and Starlight Enterprises as well as a host of other partners.

Visitors can bring a picnic or sample the local BBQ, Caribbean and Indian food stall and get a cooling ice cream. Parking will be in the Cowleaze Wood car park opposite the nature reserve.

To find out more, please contact Jenny Crook on 01844 351833 or Cathy Rose on 01844 355506, or visit the Natural England website: