Events and Permits
The Parks Service of the Velocity Interoperability Network runs a programme of public events and volunteer tasks in its parks and reserves, and issues permits for organised activity within them. Applications for permits are accepted from 6 September 2026. The first programme, for the autumn of 2026, is set out below.
The autumn programme. Events marked as requiring booking are booked by writing to the Service with your name, the event and the number of places needed; places are confirmed by email in order of receipt. Volunteer tasks are open to registered volunteers; see the Volunteering page. Events go ahead in most weathers; cancellations are announced by email to those booked and posted at the site.
| Date | Park or reserve | Event | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 12 September | Ashcombe Forest | Opening of the visitor centre and guided fungus walk, 10:30 | Booking required |
| Sunday 13 September | Longwater Wetland Reserve | Wader watch from the hides, 08:00 | Free, no booking |
| Saturday 19 September | Central Exchange Gardens | Establishment open day, 11:00 to 16:00 | Free, no booking |
| Sunday 20 September | Southbank Riverside Park | Riverside clean-up, 10:00 | Registered volunteers |
| Saturday 26 September | Eastfield Meadows | Hay meadow cut and rake, 09:30 | Registered volunteers |
| Saturday 3 October | Westbrook Woods | Bat walk at dusk, 18:30 | Booking required |
| Saturday 10 October | Highfold Ridge | Ridge walk with the ranger, 10:00 | Booking required |
| Saturday 17 October | Fennimore Quarry | Geology open morning, 10:00 | Booking required |
| Saturday 24 October | Saltings Shore Reserve | Shoreline survey, 09:00 | Registered volunteers |
| Saturday 31 October | Northgate Common | Tree planting day, 10:00 | Free, no booking |
Permits. A permit is required for the activities in the table below. No fee is charged to community groups, schools or the staff associations of member organisations. A fee assessed on the scale of the activity applies to commercial events, filming and camping and is stated with the permit. Activities marked as not permitted are not licensed under any circumstances.
| Activity | Permit | Notice required | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Organised event with more than fifty people | Event permit | 28 days | None for community groups; fee for commercial events |
| Sporting event, run or orienteering | Event permit | 28 days | None for community groups; fee for commercial events |
| Commercial filming and photography | Filming permit | 14 days | Fee applies |
| Drone or other aerial photography | Aerial permit | 14 days | None |
| Guided walk or activity run by an outside organisation | Activity permit | 14 days | None |
| Research, survey or specimen collection | Research licence | 28 days | None |
| Vehicle access beyond car parks | Access permit | 7 days | None |
| Camping at the Ashcombe Forest site | Camping booking | 3 days | Fee applies |
| Fires, and barbecues outside the designated areas | Not permitted | — | — |
| Metal detecting; removal of plants, animals, rocks or fossils | Not permitted | — | — |
Applying for a permit. Every permit is applied for in the same way.
Step 1: Check whether a permit is required
Consult the table of activities above. A family walk, a small informal group or personal photography needs no permit. If your activity is not listed, write to the Service and ask; an answer is given within five working days.
Step 2: Write to the Service
Send your name, your organisation if any, the park or reserve, the date and hours, the expected number of people and a description of the activity. Events with more than fifty people must include a risk assessment and the name of the person in charge on the day. Applications must be received within the notice period shown in the table.
Step 3: Assessment by the site ranger
The ranger for the site assesses the application, normally within ten working days. The ranger may propose another date, another location within the site or a limit on numbers, and may ask for further information. Applications for reserves during the bird breeding season, from 1 March to 31 July, are assessed against the conservation calendar.
Step 4: Receive the permit and its conditions
Permits are issued by email. Conditions cover parking and marshalling, noise, the protection of habitats and paths, first aid, clearing up and, where a fee applies, its amount and the date by which it is due.
Step 5: On the day
Carry the permit and produce it to a ranger on request. Comply with its conditions. The ranger may stop an activity that breaches its conditions or that endangers visitors or wildlife.
Step 6: Report afterwards
For events with more than two hundred people, send the Service a short report within fourteen days giving the attendance and any incidents. Reports inform the assessment of future applications.
During the transition period the Service received 64 permit applications under interim arrangements and granted 58; applications by type are published on the Statistics page. The rules that apply to visitors whether or not they hold a permit are set out on the Visiting page. Applications, bookings and enquiries may be sent to contact@parks.gov.vin.