February Half Term 2023 - What's on For Children and Families in West Berkshire?
It doesn’t seem long since the children went back to school after the Christmas break but half term is fast approaching!
There are always lots of half-term activities in the area, but it can be tricky finding out what’s on and when.
That’s where this wonderful What’s On Guide comes in! Here you’ll find a round-up of half-term events, activities, and things to do in and around West Berkshire.
Everything is listed in chronological order, with links so you can find out more.
If you know of anything missing from the list, please Get in touch so it can be added. Are you holding an event that you would like to add? Send an email with all the details or complete this form.
You can also check out the What’s On calendar. This has handy daily listings of events and activities in the area.
Looking for school holiday childcare? Have a look at the list of holiday clubs & camps in West Berkshire.
Have a fabulous half-term!
Remember to check that all details are correct and up to date before going along to any of the events we have listed below. Changes and cancellations can happen. Some events will require advance booking.
Snowdrops at Welford Park – 1 February-6 March (Wednesday-Sunday 11am-4pm).
Wildlife Photographer of the Year 58 Exhibition at The Base, Greenham – 3 February-26 March (Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm, last entry 4pm).
Finding Art in Nature Children’s Trail at Basildon Park – Saturday 4-Sunday 26 February 10am-2.30pm. Find colours, shapes, and patterns in the natural world.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish at the Corn Exchange Cinema, Newbury – Friday 10 February-Sunday 19 February.
Canal & River Trust Newbury Community Open Day at Victoria Park, Newbury – Saturday 11 February 10am-4pm.
Snowdrops at The Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham – Saturday 11 February-Sunday 12 February 10am-3.30pm. Snowdrops for sale at £2.50 for a 10 bulb pot.
Lambing Cuddles at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park, near Newbury – Saturday 11 February-Sunday 19 February. Book tickets via the 4 Kingdoms website.
Shark in the Park at Corn Exchange, Newbury – Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 February.
Newbury Adventure Golf – a mini adventure golf course in Victoria Park, Newbury. Open every weekend and throughout half-term, 10am-dark (last entry is 1 hour before dark). Newbury Adventure Golf is a West Berkshire Family Life membership card partner and offers you a 10% discount, just show your card at the kiosk. Sign up for your free membership card here.
Craft Club at Burghfield Common Library – Saturday 11 February 10.30am-12pm. For children aged 5-10.
Shark in the Park Pre-Show Workshop at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – Sunday 12 February 10am & 1pm.
Sing, Move, Act Workshop at The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury – Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 February 9am-4pm. For children aged 4-7, £86 for the two-day workshop.
Triple Threat Workshop at The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury – Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 February 9am-4pm. For children aged 8-11. £86 for the two-day workshop.
Open Play Gym Sessions at KD Gymnastics, Newbury – Monday 13-Friday 17 February from 9am.
Create & Play at Cobbs Play Barn: Hand Print Love Heart Cards – Monday 13 February-Thursday 16 February 10am-12pm. Tickets are £14 per child which includes all materials, food box, drink, and time to play in the Play Barn. Book online. Cobbs Play Barn is a West Berkshire Family Life membership card partner and offers members 10% off entry fees and food & drink (see more details and sign up for your free membership card here).
Extra Lego Sessions at Burghfield Library – 13-18 February 10am-12.30pm. For children over the age of 5.
BookTrust Storytime at Thatcham Library – Monday 13 February 10am-10.30am.
The Nosy Little Troll at Shaw House, Newbury – Monday 13 February. A puppet theatre show suitable for ages 3-8. £9 adults and £7 children.
Half Term Art Club at The Base, Greenham – Monday 13-Thursday 16 February 10am-12pm.
Create & Make at the Corn Exchange Learning Centre, Newbury – Monday 13-Friday 17 February 10am-4pm.
Coding Camps at Code Ninjas, Newbury– 13-17 February. Code Ninjas in Newbury is running several day camps over half term, including Stop Motion Animation.
Ceramic Butterfly Bowls & Dishes Children’s Workshop at The Mulberry Bush, Thatcham – Monday 13 February 10.30am-11.30am.
Half Term Climbing at the Waterside Centre, Newbury for those aged 8+ – Monday, Wednesday & Friday 12.30pm & 1.45pm.
Make and Take: Valentine’s Day Cards at IKEA, Reading – Monday 13 & Tuesday 14 February 1pm-3pm. Free, no booking required.
Half Term Climbing at the Waterside Centre, Newbury for those in school years 7-13 – Monday, Wednesday & Friday 3.15pm & 4.30pm.
WIKIDS Half Term Holiday Club – Tuesday 14 February 9am-3pm. Arts & crafts, games & sports for 4-11 year olds. £28 per child. Contact Nicki to book: nicki@wikids.co.uk or 07879413325.
My Wellbeing Club at The Waterside Centre, Newbury – Tuesday 14 February 9.30am.
Small Group Family Art Workshop: Dinosaurs! at West Berkshire Museum, Newbury – Tuesday 14 February 10am-12.30pm. Suitable for children aged 7+. £12.50 per child, advance booking required.
Hattie the Hedgehog’s Trail at the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham – Tuesday 14 & Friday 17 February 10am-2pm. £5 per child, advance booking required.
Naturally Curious Play Sessions in Padworth – Tuesday 14 & Friday 17 February 10am & 12.30pm. Outdoor woodland play sessions. Advance booking is required. Sessions take place at the YMCA Activity Centre, Ramptons Lane, Padworth, RG7 4QT.
Valentine’s Day Pottery Sessions at Bucklebury Farm Park – Tuesday 14 February 10am & 11.15am. £6 per child. Book via the Bucklebury Farm website.
Movie in the Hall: Sherlock Gnomes at Shaw House, Newbury – Tuesday 14 February 10.30am. Adults £5, children £3.
Half Term Craft Fun at Hungerford Library – Tuesday 14 February 10.30am-12pm. A free craft activity, drop-in.
The Amazing Bubble Man at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – Tuesday 14 February 11.30am & 2pm.
Valentine’s Music & Makers at Lambourn Sports Club – Tuesday 14 February 1pm-3pm. Arts & crafts, games and music, £5 per child.
Extra Lego Sessions at Thatcham Library – Tuesday 14 February 2pm-4pm & Friday 17 February 10am-12pm.
Technical Taster Workshop at The Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury – Wednesday 15 February 9am-4pm. For those aged 12-16. £43.
Family Activity Day: You’re a Star! at Shaw House, Newbury – Wednesday 15 February 10am-3pm. £2.50 per child, no need to book, just drop in. Aimed at children aged 4-11 but older and younger children are welcome.
Bat Box Making at the Waterside Centre, Newbury – Wednesday 15 February 10am-3pm. For those aged 10+. £5 per person.
Half-Term Day Camp for Children – Sensational Senses at The Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham – Thursday 16 February 10am-3pm. Suitable for 7-11 year olds. £35 per child.
BookTrust Storytime at Newbury Library – Thursday 16 February 11am-11.45am.
Creative Writing Workshop at Burghfield Library – Thursday 16 February 11am-12.30pm. For 7-11 year olds. Free, but advance booking is required. Contact the library on 01189 833632 or burghfieldlibrary@westberks.gov.uk to book.
Dino Day in Newbury – Thursday 16 February 1pm-4pm.
Creative Writing Workshop at Theale Library – Thursday 16 February 2.30pm-4pm. For 7-11 year olds. Free, but advance booking is required. For more information and to book, contact the library: 01189 303207, thealelibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
Half Term Spring Crafts at The Retreat at Elcot Park – Thursday 16 February 4pm-5pm. £10 per child, advance booking required as spaces are limited.
The Wizard of Oz at Kintbury Coronation Hall – Thursday 16-Saturday 18 February.
Newbury Inflatable Fun Day at Newbury College – Friday 17 February 9.30am-2.15pm.
Messy Museum Morning at West Berkshire Museum – Friday 17 February 10am-1.30pm. One-hour slots are bookable – you need to book in advance as places are limited. £2.50 per child.
Half Term Fun at Lambourn Library – Friday 17 February 2pm-4pm & Saturday 18 February 10.30am-12pm. Free, drop-in craft activities. For more information contact the library on 01488 71350 or lambournlibrary@westberks.gov.uk.
Children’s Mini Dreamcatcher Workshop at The Mulberry Bush, Thatcham – Friday 17 February 10.30am-11.30am.
Musical Storytime at Pangbourne Library – Friday 17 February 11am-11.40am. For children aged 3-8.
Burghclere Miniature Railway Half-Term Running Day – Friday 17 February 12pm-3pm.
Watercolour Animals Workshop at The Base, Greenham – Saturday 18 February 10am-12pm.
Newbury Vegan Market – Sunday 19 February 10am-3pm.
Children’s Spring Linoprinting at The Base, Greenham – Sunday 19 February 10am-12pm.
Other ideas for things to do
Beale Park
Situated at Lower Basildon, Beale Park is an outdoor wildlife park with animals, playgrounds and a train. Open 10am-4pm. Find out more and book tickets on its website.
Bucklebury Farm & Deer Safari Park
Bucklebury Farm is open 9.30am-4pm and is home to a deer herd, pigs, goats, donkeys, ponies, chickens and other small animals. There are daily activities such as animal petting, egg collecting and deer walks. There’s also a cafe on site and a playground, jumping pillows and indoor slides. Find out more and book tickets on its website.
Living Rainforest
Based in Hampstead Norreys, there are three glasshouses to explore with plants and animals to spot along the way. livingrainforest.org.
Northcroft Leisure Centre, Newbury
Northcroft Leisure centre often runs ‘Wobsticle’ sessions for older children in its pool during the school holidays. Keep up to date with any events via its Facebook page.
Millets Farm
A short drive from West Berkshire, Millets Farm has lots going on for families including a soft play centre (Sprouts Play Barn) and special activities for half term. W: milletsfarmcentre.com.
Wellington Country Park
Located south of Reading, Wellington Country Park is easily reached from West Berkshire. It has an animal farm, train, jumping pillow, soft play, mini golf, playgrounds and more. wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk.
Pottery Painting
A great creative family activity (and perfect if the weather’s a bit rubbish), you can visit The Ugly Duckling in Newbury, Blue Beetle Ceramics in Thatcham or Mad Hatters Pottery in Tilehurst.
Both The Ugly Duckling and Blue Beetle Ceramics have special offers for West Berkshire Family Life members – find out more and sign up for your free membership card here.
Northway Climbing Centre, Newbury
A new climbing centre (located in the building that Eddie Catz soft play used to occupy). Keep up to date via Instagram. northwayclimbing.com.
Finkley Down Farm
Located in Andover, Finkley Down Farm is easy to get to from West Berkshire and has lots to do and explore, including indoor & outdoor play, and animals. Advance booking is essential. finkleydownfarm.co.uk.
West Berkshire Family Hubs
Providing support to families with children under five, the Family Hubs are located in Newbury, Thatcham and Calcot and run regular groups such as Messy Play, Baby Groups and Stay & Plays. The Hungerford and Area Family Centre also runs groups. The groups usually continue throughout the holidays and can be located in other towns and villages in the area. More information can be found on the West Berkshire Council website.
Roves Farm
Roves Farm is located at Sevenhampton, near Swindon. During half term, you can enjoy a ‘Mini Farmers’ event. rovesfarm.co.uk.
Legoland
Legoland is another attraction that is easily reached from West Berkshire and is open during half term week. More details on its website.
Soft Play
Sadly we now have limited options when it comes to soft play in West Berkshire. Of course, there is the wonderful Cobbs Play Barn in Hungerford which offers a 10% discount on admission fees and food & drink for West Berkshire Family Life members (more details here).
Thatcham Garden Centre has a small soft play area which runs timed sessions throughout the day (you can find more details on its Facebook page). These sessions are run on a first come, first served basis.
Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury also has a soft play area.
If you don’t mind travelling a bit further afield you could try Sprouts Play Barn at Millets Farm, The Mad House in Reading or Active Tots (for babies and toddlers only) at Stratfield Saye, Reading.
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The West Berkshire Family Life website and membership scheme are very kindly sponsored by Complete Childcare.
