Nature Queers (LGBTQ+)

Every Thursday through June & July – National Trust’s Hardcastle Crags

Our weekly LGBTQ+ Nature Queers events take place at National Trust’s Hardcastle Crags, a beautiful wooded valley just outside Hebden Bridge. Join us to connect to nature, self and community, and learn a range of practical outdoor skills in a playful and supportive environment.

Dates and themes:

12th June: CREATIVE SESSION
19th June: FORAGING
26th June: CIRCUS SKILLS
3rd July: TBC
10th July: INTRO TO BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL
17th July: WHITTLING
24th July: PRIDE SPECIAL

Following the success of our pilot programme last year, we’re delighted to announce our 2025 Nature Queers events at the National Trust’s gorgeous Hardcastle Crags. This beautiful wooded valley just outside Hebden Bridge is one of the region’s most beautiful and biodiverse outdoor places. We welcome all LGBTQ+ folks to join us in connecting with nature, self and community, while learning a range of practical outdoor skills in a playful and supportive environment.

Nature Queers is about creating spaces to meet and develop a nature-loving LGBTQ+ community. During the sessions, Leonie, Rachael, and occasional guest facilitators including Ash Brachi of Hebden Herbs will share skills such as bushcraft, foraging, fire skills, natural crafting, whittling, survival skills, shelter building, and herbalism.

Each session will also include nature connection practices that encourage a sense of belonging, safety, and peace in the outdoors.

Both experienced outdoors-people, and people new to the outdoors, are equally welcome to join us as we create a relaxed and welcoming space where we can learn in nature, and in queer community.

THEMES

12th June: CREATIVE SESSION

Explore your creativity in the woods, both individually and with others, taking inspiration and materials from the wild world around us

19th June: FORAGING

Seasonal foraging for the edible flowers, leaves, and fungi that can be found as this abundant time of year. Learn Identification skills, folklore, and medicinal uses of wild plants, as well as some campfire cooking.

26th June: CIRCUS SKILLS

An introduction to skills including slackline, balancing, poi, and juggling. We’ll also be whittling and decorating our own balancing stick.

3rd July: TBC

10th July: INTRO TO BUSHCRAFT & SURVIVAL

A relaxed and welcoming introduction to knots, water filtration, fire lighting, shelters, and signal fires- all the basics for setting up and being comfortable in the woods.

17th July: WHITTLING

We’ll share whittling skills and the safe and effective use of hand tools as we guide you in making your own wooden spreading knife with decorative handle.

24th July: PRIDE SPECIAL

During Happy Valley Pride week, we’ll celebrate joy and connection in nature, sharing a range of games and practices that are designed for joy, connection and relaxation in the great outdoors.