What's on this Summer
- Jun 30
- 7 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Summer Holidays are around the corner, and there is so much going on across West Berkshire. Plenty of Festivals and loads of family fun to take part in. Here are some of our top picks of events to enjoy over the coming months. We will keep adding events throughout the next 2 months, so be sure to check back for some inspiration!
🪅Family Festivals and Fetes🪅
When: 19th July - 11am
Where: Shaw House, Newbury
Cost: £2 - Pay on the door. Children £1 (Free for children aged 3 years and under)
Crafts, face painting and family entertainment set against the gorgeous backdrop of Shaw House. A lovely, relaxed summer Sunday outing.
When: 16th August -10:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Where: Shaw House
Cost: Free
Starting with a live show of singing and dancing, you will then be able to meet and have photographs with the magical princesses and characters whilst enjoying your picnic outside.
Sessions will last approximately 90 minutes including a 30-minute show.
Suitable for 3–8-year-olds but younger and older children are welcome
When: 30th August
Where: Lambourn
The Lambourn Carnival is just part of the whole Lambourn Festival that runs from around June to September.
🎭Theatre and Cinema🎭
When: Running all summer (until 13th September)
Where: Watermill Theatre, Bagnor
Cost: From £15
The Watermill's production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is the theatre trip of the season. A gorgeous setting, world-class production, and an iconic story that kids (and grown-ups) absolutely love. Make sure to book ahead.
When: Sunday 5th July - 5pm
Where: Shaw House, Newbury
Cost: Check website for prices
Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre bring their unforgettable outdoor production of Shakespeare's most romantic play to the stunning grounds of Shaw House. A magical summer evening. Pack a blanket, bring a picnic, and let the drama unfold around you. Brilliant for older children and families who love a bit of drama!
When: 17th July 11:00-12:00 (gates open at 10)
Where: The Vyne, Basingstoke
Cost: £12.89. (under 12 - £9.80)
An amazing family outdoor cinema experience. Bring a blanket or camping chair (and of course a picnic) and watch the incredible tales of The Gruffalo & Stickman on a giant open-air cinema
screen.
When: 24th July and 21st August
Where: Watermill Theatre
Cost: £18
Work alongside professional cast members and industry creatives to discover the characters, songs and routines from the main house show.
When: 27th - 29th July
Where: Watermill Theatre
Cost: £150
Use your imagination and build creative ideas, characters and stories to invent your very own play to share with family and friends in the beautiful Watermill gardens! For ages 5-11
When: 3rd-7th August and 10th - 14th August
Where: Watermill Theatre
Cost: £250
Join the Watermill Theatre this summer for a week of drama to create your own original play!
When: 10th August, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Where: Shaw House, Newbury
Cost: £10 to £15
Outdoor theatre at Shaw House and The Jungle Book. A perfect summer evening for the whole family, set against the backdrop of one of the most beautiful buildings in West Berkshire.
🌳Outdoors 🌳
When: 1st - 31st July
Where: Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Cost: £2 per child
Pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Centre and set off around the Nature Discovery Centre grounds to discover the amazing habitats and wildlife that live there.. Follow the trail, answer fun wildlife questions, look for clues left by nature and see how many creatures you can spot along the way.
When: 2nd, 3rd and 4th July
Where: Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Cost: £8 per child & booking fee. Accompanying adults free.
Explore the nature reserve and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years.
When: 18th July
Where: Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Cost: £8 per child plus booking fee.
Wildlife and seasonal themed activities for teenagers to explore and engage in the great outdoors! Sessions last for 2 hours and are packed full of fun activities to teach you all about the fantastic natural world that surrounds you.
When: 22nd & 29th July and 5th,12th,19th, 26th August
Where: Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham
Cost: £6 per child + booking fees
A workshop of exploration, nature and wildlife learning. This activity is for ages 4+ years - (not suitable for younger children, although other children can attend with an adult who can separately supervise).
👪Family Fun and Crafts 👪
When: 11th July - 10:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: Free, drop-in
Celebrate Newbury Pride at this free, drop-in family craft morning where you can make and decorate a rainbow hanging decoration.
When: 18 July – 10am to 12 noon
Where: City Arts
Cost: £27 or 10am to 2pm – £48
Choose between a 2 hr workshop to create your pair of festival earrings or a longer workshop (4hr) to make a whole set of 3 pieces of festival jewellery (it can include earrings) with belly chains, necklace and bracelets.
Learn to Make your Own Comic Strip
When: 19th 11am to 12:30pm
Where: City arts
Cost: £25
This workshop is suitable for children 7+. This workshop will introduce you to the secrets of cartoonists. You will create your own cartoon character with funny expressions and will then learn how to structure and create a funny comic strip to bring your character to life.
Learn to Draw Cool Manga Faces
When: 19th - 1 to 2:30pm
Where: City Arts
Cost: £35
This workshop is suitable for children 10+. Explore manga and anime! Manga is a cartoon based drawing style used to create graphic novels and comics in Japan.
When:18 July - 10:30am to 3pm
Where: Growing Together- Cottismore Park
Cost: Children (age 8+) – £35 per child. Adult session – £45
Each person gets their own large board, with two graffiti-style initials pre-sketched by a
talented artist.
When: 21st July - Every day throughout the school summer holiday
Where: Shaw House
Cost: Free, Suggested donation £2
Adventure through the grounds of Shaw House to find artistic prompts. Following your exploration, you’ll have a collection of your own drawings! Suitable for ages 3 – 8 years old, younger and older visitors welcome.
When: 22 - 24 July
Where: The Base
Cost:: £12.50
This holiday, join The Base's art club for a fun-filled adventure!
When: 24th July and 21st August 11am to 12:30 pm
Where: City Arts
Cost: Suggested donation of £5/child
These sessions are for children 8 years old and over. These sessions are specially to encourage children to try something new, arty, engage with others and improve their well being.
When: 25th July
Where: The Case
Cost: £25
Have fun experimenting with different crafts to create optical illusion art
When: 28 July – 10am to 12noon
Where: City Arts
Cost: £15
This workshop is suitable for children 4 to 12 years old (Parents/carers must stay with children under 7) Build your very own fairy garden or miniature tree house garden. Create toadstools, magical paths and creatures that live in your enchanted space!
When: 29th July - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Shaw House
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Beautiful beasts. Make an animal, real or imaginary, from polystyrene shapes, pipe cleaners, paint pens and other craft materials.
When: 31st July - 10am-1pm
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: £2.50 | Drop-in
Clay creations. From air-drying clay, create and decorate a Roman inspired oil lamp.
When: 5th August - 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Shaw House
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Brilliant birds. Make a ‘stained glass’ effect bird from a card template. Add colourful cellophane and tissue paper to make it ready to display in a window at home.
When: 7th August -10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Porcelain perfection. Choose from a selection of ceramic hanging decorations (subject to availability on the day). Decorate with porcelain pens and embellish with the other available craft materials.
When:12th August - 10:00-2:00pm
Where: Shaw House
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Minibeast mansions. Construct a simple minibeast mansion and then decorate with paint pens.
When: 14th August - 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Wooden wonders. Choose from a selection of wooden craft kits (subject to availability on the day) and decorate with paint sticks and other craft materials.
When: 21st August -10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Cool collages. Design a 3D picture (collage) on card using lots of different craft materials including stickers, doilies, lace, ribbon, pom poms, patterned paper and card, pieces of felt, fabric and foam sheets as well as plenty of glue!
When: 28th August -10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: West Berkshire Museum
Cost: £2.50 - Pay on the door
Rocking it! Decorate a painting stone with acrylic paint pens in the design of your choice.
When: Various events throughout the summer.
✨Community Events ✨
When: 5th July
Where: Corn Exchange
Cost: £6.25
Looking for a fantastic afternoon of entertainment this summer? Join the Mayor of Newbury Summer Variety Concert, proudly presented by Newbury Rotary Club and supported by the Mayor of Newbury.
When: 11th July
Where: Victoria Park
Various Activities going on.
Join City Arts and have a go at printing, using lino.
Whats on for little ones:
When: 28th July, 10:30am
Where: Linear Park
Join our story and co for a Walk, Talk, Picnic and Play
When: 4th August, 11:00
Where: Pangbourne Meadows
A relaxed morning of picnic and play
As always, do check individual venue websites before you head out as dates and details can change. Have a wonderful Summer☀️
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