Join Rockwatch at the Festival of Geology on Saturday 7 November 2026, at Burlington House, London, from 10.30am to 4.30pm. With free entry, hands-on activities, fascinating talks and genuine Moon rocks, there’s plenty for young geologists and their families to discover.
Please come early if you have your heart set on a particular workshop or talk. Workshop bookings can only be made in person at the front desk on Saturday. Talks do not require booking, but doors will close once the Lecture Theatre reaches capacity.
Rockwatch activities — Gertrude Elles Room
Visit Rockwatch for handling table games, fossil rubbing and a lucky dip, and browse children’s books and magazines at the sales table.
The Natural History Museum and British Geological Survey will also be bringing Fantastic Fossils and Minerals! and a Fossil Identification Microscope Workshop.
Talks — Lecture Theatre
Each session will be introduced by The Rock Showman, Steve Cousins. The three main talks last approximately 45–50 minutes.
11.15am — Back to the Moon
Prof. Katherine Joy explores how and why we investigate our closest planetary neighbour.
12.30pm — The Secret Ingredient for a Habitable Planet
Dr Lucia Pérez-Diaz explores what makes Earth special.
2.30pm — Impossible Fossils
Prof. Phil Manning reveals the science of exceptional fossil preservation.
3.30pm — Activating the Spar Beacon: from Mine to Marvel
Steve Cousins presents a short talk, followed by presentations to the GA Photographic Competition prize-winners and passport winners.
Arrive in good time for the talks you particularly want to hear — admission is subject to capacity.
From Dirt to Display: A Fossil Journey — Lyell Room
Discover how fossils are found, prepared and displayed in hands-on workshops with Emanya Fossil Preparation and Bristol University Student Union DinoSoc.
Sessions last approximately 30 minutes. Book in person at the front desk on Saturday.
Moon Rocks and Meteorites — Arthur Holmes Room
See genuine lunar rocks and meteorites up close and discover where they came from and how they formed.
These workshops last 20–30 minutes, with samples courtesy of the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s ‘Borrow the Moon’ programme. Book in person at the front desk on Saturday.
We look forward to welcoming you for a day of geological discoveries!
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