May Half Term 2023 - What's on For Children and Families in West Berkshire?
It’s May half term! Are you finding it tricky to figure 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 May half term events, workshops, 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. Would you like to sponsor this What’s On Guide? Contact Rebecca (rebecca@westberkshirefamilylife.com) for more details.
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.
Fun Fair at Faraday Road, Newbury – 26 May-4 June.
Sensory Jewels Children’s Trail at Basildon Park – 26 May-11 June.
Breakfast, Lunch & Afternoon Tea with the Ice Sisters at Pitt Hall Barn – Saturday 27 May from 9am.
Thatcham Inflatable Fun Days – 27-29 May 10am-5pm. (SEN Sessions on Friday 26 May 4.30pm-6pm & Saturday 27 May 5.30pm-7pm).
Love your Zoo Week at Beale Wildlife Park – 27 May-4 June.
Dinosaur Invasion at 4 Kingdoms, near Newbury – 27 May-4 June.
Family Film: How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World at the Corn Exchange Cinema, Newbury – Saturday 27 May 10.30am.
The Super Mario Bros Movie at the Corn Exchange Cinema, Newbury – 27, 28 & 31 May and 1, 2, 3 & 4 June.
Newbury Artisan Market – Sunday 28 May 10am-4pm.
Art on the Park in Victoria Park, Newbury – Sunday 28 May 10am-4pm.
Shaw House Open Days – 28 & 29 May 11am-4pm.
Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – Sunday 28 May 2pm.
Naturally Curious Play Sessions in Padworth – Monday 29 May & Friday 2 June 10am & 12.30pm. Woodland based play sessions for ages 8 months-10 years.
Creative Kidz at Bucklebury Farm – Monday 29 May 10.30am-11.30am.
Coding Camps at Code Ninjas, Newbury – from 30 May. Code Ninjas is running some camps over May half term. More details can be found on its website.
Create and Make at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – 30 May-2 June.
Half Term Art Club at The Base, Greenham – 30 May-2 June.
Macaron Masterclass at The Sweetbox, Parkway, Newbury – Tuesday 30 May.
Bake & Decorate your Own Cake with Natalie at Pitt Hall Barn – Tuesday 30 May from 10am.
Colouring Pit Stop at IKEA, Reading – Tuesday 30 May-Sunday 4 June 10am-5pm.
Half Term Fun at Hungerford Library – Tuesday 30 May 10.30am-12pm.
Family Fusion Glass Workshop at The Mulberry Bush, Thatcham – Tuesday 30 May 10.30am-12pm.
Explore a Knight’s Journey at Pangbourne Library – Tuesday 30 May 11.30am-12.30pm.
Paddling Workshops at the Waterside Centre, Newbury – Tuesday 30 May from 12.30pm.
Messy Modelling! at IKEA, Reading – Tuesday 30 May & Thursday 1 June 1pm-4pm.
Family Activity Day at Shaw House, Newbury – Wednesday 31 May 10am-3pm.
Half Term Fun at Theale Library – Wednesday 31 May 10.30am-5pm.
Climbing Workshops at the Waterside Centre, Newbury – Wednesday 31 May from 12.30pm.
Be a BYGGLEK builder! at IKEA, Reading – Wednesday 31 May & Saturday 3 June 1pm-4pm.
Boogie Mites Family Music at Cobbs Play Barn, Hungerford – Thursday 1 June 10am.
Duplo Workshop with The Creative Brick Company at Bucklebury Farm – Thursday 1 June 10.30am-11.30am.
Lego Workshop with The Creative Brick Company at Bucklebury Farm – Thursday 1 June 1pm-3pm.
Half Term Lego Fun at Theale Library – Thursday 1 June 2.30pm-4pm.
Explore a Knight’s Journey at Theale Library – Thursday 1 June 4.15pm-5.30pm.
Messy Museum Day at West Berkshire Museum – Friday 2 June 10am-3pm.
Preppy Bracelets Children’s Workshop at The Mulberry Bush, Thatcham – Friday 2 June 10.30am-12.30pm.
Half Term Fun at Pangbourne Library – Friday 2 June 11am-3pm.
Biscuit Decorating! at IKEA, Reading – Friday 2 June 1pm-4pm.
Farmers Market at Bucklebury Farm – Saturday 3 June 10am-1pm.
Lego Club at Pangbourne Library – Saturday 3 June 10.30am-12pm.
Lego Club at Thatcham Library – Saturday 3 June 10.30am-12pm.
Lego Club at Hungerford Library – Saturday 3 June 10.30am-12pm.
Family Film: The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists at the Corn Exchange cinema, Newbury – Saturday 3 June 10.30am.
A Visit from the Mermaid Princess and her Prince at Shaw House, Newbury – Sunday 4 June from 10am.
Family Minibeast Safari and Crafty Creatures Creations at Snelsmore Common – Sunday 4 June 10.30am-12pm.
Nick Cope at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – Sunday 4 June 11am.
Swap Shop at the Corn Exchange, Newbury – Sunday 4 June 12pm-4pm.
Other ideas for things to do
A mini adventure golf course in Victoria Park, Newbury. Open every weekend and throughout school holidays, 10am-5pm (last entry at 4pm). 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. Newburyadventuregolf.co.uk.
Living Rainforest
Based in Hampstead Norreys, there are three glasshouses to explore with plants and animals to spot along the way. livingrainforest.org.
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. You can enjoy tractor rides, animal feeding and other activities. 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.
