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It’s the most magical time of the year and Santa’s getting ready to meet all the good boys and girls! From grottos to cozy Christmas markets, there are so many wonderful places to see Santa and take some cute pics with your children. Before you make any plans, please check with the grottos for the latest details  on dates, times, and ticket information — some Santa visits can get booked up quickly! Kennet Centre Santas Grotto Where: Kennet Centre When: 15 November Visit Santa in the Kennet Centre as part of the Newbury Light Switch on festivities. Lovely set up, but can get quite busy, so make sure to get there early! Breakfast with Santa - Renegade Brewer y Where: Renegade Brewery When: 7th and 14th December. £16.50 per person Enjoy a family breakfast with a visit from Father Christmas. Includes a festive pack and gift from Santa. Santas Grotto at Webbs Garden Centre Where: Milllets Farm Centre, Abingdon When: Saturday 15th November - Wednesday 24th December Price: 1 Adult & 1 Child OR Baby - £28.50 2 Adults & 2 Children - £53.50 2 Adults & 3 Children - £72.50 2 Adults & 4 Children - £91.50 Newbury Santa Fun Run Where: Newbury When: 23rd November, 11:00 start. Santa’s Grotto at Sherfield-On-Loddon Garden Centre Where: Sherfield-on-Loddon Garden Centre When: Weekends from the 29th of November, and 22,23,24 December There will be plenty of festive fun and activities for everyone to enjoy, as well as a small gift of your choice from the magical selection.Tickets are priced at £15.50 per child – adults go free! Santa and Me, Blue Beetle ceramics Where: Blue Beetle Ceramics When: 6th December 15:00 All children will have a tree ornament to paint themselves, There will be a Santa & Me personalised dinner plate or Hot Chocolate Mug, with your child's and Santa's handprint or finger prints, and there will be a gift from Santa to take home on the day. Santas Grotto - Greenham Community Centre Where: Greenham Community Centre When: Saturday 6th December See Santa at the Greenham Community Centre Christmas Fayre Baby and Toddler Breakfast with Santa at Thatcham Garden Centre Where: Thatcham Garden Centre When: 15th December -20th December For babies and toddlers up to the age of two, this relaxed event is the perfect way to get into the festive spirit, enjoy a tasty breakfast, capture some adorable photos, and have a friendly chat with other new parents. Your booking includes a traditional cooked breakfast for you, a breakfast pouch or kids’ breakfast for your little one, fun and stories from Santa, as well as a gift and photo opportunity with the man in red. Santa Sessions at the Little Play Lounge Where: Little Play Lounge When: From the 15th of December at 10:30am Join the Little Play Lounge for a Christmassy play lounge session with a special story from a friendly elf and present from Santa! Santa Meet and Greet - Tiny Town Cafe  Where: Tiny Town Cafe, Newbury When: 13th, 19th, 20th December Each childrens ticket includes a personal meet and greet with Santa, reindeer food, a gift to take home, arts and crafts, photo ops and baby chino. Yattendon Santa Dash Where: Yattendon When: 21 December Join the Santa Fun run through Yattendons Christmas trees Breakfast or Afternoon Tea with Santa at Thatcham Garden Centre Where: Thatcham Garden Centre When: 22nd - 24th December You and your child can enjoy a tasty, cooked breakfast or enjoy an afternoon tea at the Thatcham Garden centre. Meet Santa, take pictures, and get a personal gift at this charming alternative to a Santa’s Grotto. Bucklebury Farm Father Christmas Grotto Where: Bucklebury Farm When: 6/7th, 13th/14th, 19th, 20th, 21st/22nd & 23rd December. Meet Father Christmas in his cosy grotto. Receive a special festive gift straight from the North Pole. Enjoy magical Christmas activities full of sparkle, laughter & cheer. Plus, festive treats and farm fun for the whole family! £16 per child ticket - this ticket doesn't include General Admission. A General Admission ticket to the farm MUST be purchased alongside this ticket for all attending (including adults). A Date with Father Christmas - Cobbs Play Barn Where: Cobbs Play Barn Hungerford When: Friday 19 December - 10:00, Sunday 21 December -15:00 Children’s Food - Santa Snack Box Fresh Pastry or Sausage Roll & Hot Drink for Adults Festive Table Games Free Play in the Play Barn A Meeting with Father Christmas & a Gift to Take Home 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park Hampshire Where: 4 Kingdoms, Hampshire When: 22nd of November until the 24th December The Uk's Largest Indoor Christmas Experience. A 3 hour immersive walk-through experience that will fill your whole family with the true magic of Christmas Reading Winter Wonderland Where: Reading Winter Wonderland When: 29th and 30th November 6th, 7th, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th December 2025. Santa and his cheerful Elf create a truly magical experience for every child. Each little visitor will receive a high-quality Reading Winter Wonderland–branded gift to take home and treasure. You are also welcome to capture the moment by taking your own photos during your special visit with Santa. Our website will be updated regularly , so keep checking back to find new events and places where you can see Santa in person.

Nothing quite marks the beginning of the festive season like the official Light Switching On's From cheerful local choirs and bustling market stalls to mulled wine, laughter, and the excited chatter of children waiting for the big reveal, these events capture the very essence of Christmas spirit. Newbury Light Switch on : Where: Newbury Town Centre W hen: 15th November Whats on: Free Festive Fun, Markets, Crafts. Start your Christmas shopping early at the Christmas Charter Market along Northbrook Street or pop into the Corn Exchange for their Christmas Gift Fair. Little ones can meet some very special visitors at the Living Nativity Petting Farm in Inch’s Yard, before a short hop over to Santa’s Grotto in the Kennet Centre. Hungerford Light Swith On Where: Hungerford When: 23rd November, Entertainment starts at 4pm Enjoy fantastic performances including Hungerford Primary School, Town Band, and Theatre Company!The big Lights Switch-On happens at 5pm Chieveley Light Switch on: Where: Chieveley Village Hall When: 28th November 17:00- 20:00 Indoor market with over 25 stalls, and entertainment. East Isley Light Switch on Where: East Isley When: 29th November From.. 6:30pm Thatcham Light Switch on: Where: Thatcham When: 5th December Entertainment starts at 5pm

The charm of the Christmas markets will soon be filling the air in West Berkshire. These markets are more than just shopping venues; they celebrate community, culture, and the spirit of giving. Christmas markets have a rich tradition that started in Germany and spread throughout Europe. They provide a unique shopping experience, featuring local artisans, mouthwatering food, and festive entertainment. Top Christmas Markets in West Berkshire Hampstead Norreys Candlelit Market Where: Hampstead Norrey When: 8th November 15:00-19:00 Why Visit: Over 50 artisan stallholders. Live Music. Delicious food from the Community Café and Colline’s Kitchen from Newbury. Free Children’s Activity. East Woodhay Christmas Market Where: East Woodhay Village Hall When: Saturday, 8th November 10:30-14:30 Why Visit: Coffee, Cakes and Artisan Gifts Watermill Theatre Christmas Fair Where: Watermill Theatre, Newbury When: 14th November 10:00-14:30, Entry £3, U16s go free Why Visit: Plenty of stalls, mulled wine and mince pies! Newbury Christmas Market and Light Switch on Where: Newbury Town When: 15th November. Festivities start from 9am Why visit: Newbury Christmas Market is a must-visit for anyone eager to get into the holiday spirit. Set in the heart of Newbury, this market offers a diverse range of stalls that provide everything from handmade crafts to gourmet food. St Andrews School Christmas Fair Where: St Andrews School When: 16th November, 11:00-15:00 City Arts Artisan Christmas Fair Weekends When:Friday 21 to Sunday 23 November and Friday 28 to Sunday 30 November Why Visit: Two weekends of Christmas Fairs, where local artists, craftspeople and traders show and sell a variety of unique work including: cards, jewellery, ceramics, painting, original prints, photography, glass art, Christmas decorations, and plenty more.   Hungerford Christmas Market When: Saturday 22 November Where: Hungerford Hub Why Visit: Gifts, Crafts, Tombola, Refreshments and Christmas Performance from Rock Choir Elcot Park Christmas Market Where: Elcot Park When: 24th & 25th November (24th -12:00-20): , (25th - 9:00-15:00) Why Visit: Wander through a charming collection of hand-crafted gifts, artisan foods, unique brands and glittering decorations. Enjoy seasonal drinks and sweet treats Thatcham Memorial Hall Christmas Market   Where: Thatcham Memorial Hall When: 23rd November Why visit: Perfect market for Christmas gifts, as well as children’s entertainment. There will be a pop up cafe and charity raffle Ramsbury Brewery Christmas Market Where: Ramsbury Brewery When: 29th November - 11:00-15:00 Why Visit: Local artisan stalls with gifts, crafts & Christmas decorations. Seasonal food & drink from Ramsbury Brewery & Distillery. Festive music and a warm Christmas atmosphere Berkshire Music Trust Craft and Food Fair Where: Reading Music Centre, Tilehurst When: 23 November, 10:00-14:00 Why Visit: A variety of local businesses showcasing handcrafted goods, jewellery, artisan food alcohol and other unique treats Live festive music from Reading Music Centre ensembles to bring the Christmas spirit! Perfect for a fun family day out or some early Christmas shopping! St Barts School Christmas Fair Where: St Bartholomew’s School , Newbury When: 23rd November, 11:00-14:30 Why Visit: Plenty of store holder, raffels, great community event. The Little Play Lounge Market Where: The Little Play Lounge When: 29th November 10:00-14:00 Why Visit: Enjoy hot drinks and seasonal treats from the café. Children can make their own reindeer food to take home! Lots of stalls. December Markets: Shaw House Christmas Market Where: Shaw House When: Sunday 7th December Why visit: Shaw House will be host to over 70 stalls selling locally made gifts, drinks, food, decorations and crafts. Hungerford Victorian Extravaganza Where: Hungerford When: Friday, 12th December Why visit: Hungerford Christmas Market is famous for its eclectic mix of stalls and lively atmosphere. It features local vendors offering a variety of goods, from gourmet delicacies to handmade crafts.  The market  includes live entertainment, with local choirs and musicians.

This hugely helpful Blog post is written by a West Berkshire mum, Lesley, from a Life Less Complicated. For more of her amazing tips and tricks for making everyday life easier, check out her website here: Home - A Life Less Complicated A random selection of thoughts that may help you choose a nursery and plan for that stage of your life. At the time of writing, I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old, and we have 3 childcare settings in the mix (2 nurseries and 1 pre-school). My eldest has been in nursery since he was 1. We live in England. Somewhere along the way I almost became a whistleblower regarding nursery charges, but chickened out... That's a story for another time but just to say that I have become well-versed in the ways and means of navigating pre-school childcare. Disclaimer: This post focusses on the points that will make your life easier. Needless to say there are many other factors to consider when choosing your childcare setting. Feel free to get in touch to discuss! The below is based on my personal experiences and opinions and you should of course check the latest government information as part of your research. Availability Since the childcare funding rules changed in September 2025, much more families are able to access childcare and therefore there is more demand (and long waitlists). I have heard of women who are 19 weeks pregnant not being able to find childcare for when their unborn child turns 1, so it is never too early to look! Funding There is a lot to be said about the "free" childcare funding but I will focus on the things that will make your life easier. Eligibility for funding is based on your income, the child's age and your return to work date. Don't be caught out by that or you will have unexpected bills to pay. "Free" childcare is not usually free (unless in a pre-school which is shorter hours and term-time only). There is usually an extra charge which, although it should only cover consumables like nappies and food, it doesn't seem to be checked so is not always the case. The fee for one son's nursery is £10 and the other is £30 per day on “funded” days, so it adds up. Be sure to ask about this when choosing your setting. Also ask if they cap the number of hours you can claim - some do. Which days? If your child will be going less than 5 days a week... ...consider NOT putting their nursery days all next to each other. This could make life easier if when they are ill. E.g. Imagine they get ill on a Monday and they need 2 days to recover. If their nursery days are Monday and Tuesday, they will miss 2 days of nursery (needless to say you still have to pay, and you also have to juggle childcare with whatever else you have on that day). BUT if their nursery days are Monday and Wednesday, they will only miss 1 nursery day. Remember that nurseries don’t usually open on bank holidays... ...which means you will need to cover childcare on those days - typically Mondays in the UK. If you work part-time, it’s worth thinking about having Mondays as (one of) your non-working day(s) because that means you can pick up bank holiday nursery closures without adding an extra day of childcare to your week. For example, if you work Monday to Thursday, and have your child Fridays, you will be covering childcare on Monday AND Friday in a typical bank holiday week. Not the end of the world and of course spending time with the kids is lovely, but it can also be a lot! Some nurseries allow you to have different attendance patterns in term-time versus school holidays. That might be of interest if you are eligible for funding and want to reduce costs as you could reduce the number of days they attend in the holidays when there’s no funding. E.g. they could attend 4 days a week in term-time (when it is cheaper) and 2 or 3 days a week in the holidays. Although you then have to figure out additional childcare so it may not make your life easier but if you choose to use annual leave or have helpful grandparents it can lessen the financial burden (which IS a win for a simpler life!). Calpol Ask the nursery what their approach to teething and medicine is. One of our nurseries will not administer paracetamol at all (only prescribed medications), and will send kids home the second they have a temperature. The other is happy to give paracetamol and keep the child if they suspect teething rather than illness. This may seem minor, but kids have temperatures a LOT and it is infuriating to lose childcare when you know it is a case of teething rather than anything contagious. I hope that helps shed some light on some of the lesser-known challenges of choosing the right nursery for you. Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions or would like a sounding board - it’s a bit of a minefield and I’m happy to help.

West Berkshire and the surrounding areas offer some excellent firework displays . From big racecourse spectacles to local community events. Renegade Brewery Fireworks Where: Renegade Brewery When: 30th October,  Doors open 5pm | Fireworks display at 7pm Cost: Adults - £12. Children - £7.50. Family - £30 Bring the whole family along – family tickets are available and under 5s go free! With plenty of parking on site and loads of space to enjoy the show, it’s the perfect autumn evening out. Newbury Racecourse Where: Newbury Race Course When: Saturday 1 November Cost: Child over 5 - £7, Adults - £14 and Family - £30 Tickets are available online - See Tickets Tickets will be on sale from Lions stall in Newbury Market in October. You can purchase tickets in advance at the outlets below: Branches of Tesco at Pinchington Lane and Northbrook Street, Newbury Newbury Building Society branches in Newbury, Thatcham and Hungerford Pangborne Primary School Where: Pangborne Primary School When: 1st November. Gates open 5pm. Fireworks - 7pm Cost: Adult - £10. Child - £4. Family - £24 🎆 Thrilling 15 minute professional firework display 🔥Huge bonfire 😋 Delicious hot food vendors 🍻 Bar with beer, wine, mulled wine and Prosecco 🍵Hot drinks and cakes 🍫 Tombolas 🌟 Glow Toys 🎡Amusement stalls The Cottage Inn Where: Cottage Inn, Bucklebury When: 5th November. Gates open at 6pm. Fireworks at 8pm Cost: Single Ticket - £8.50. Family - £30 Falklands Cricket Grounds Where:Falklands Cricket Ground, Wash Common When: 5th November, Gates open 5:30. Fireworks - 7:45 Cost: Advance tickets - Single - £9. Family - £26. Chieveley Fire Works Where: Chieveley, The Recreation Centre, High Street, Chieveley, RG20 8TE When: 5th November, Gates open 6pm, Fireworks 7.45pm Cost: Single £9 after 24 October. Under 5s Free Celebrate Bonfire Night with Chieveley Fireworks , the ever-popular and traditional village firework event. Now in its 56th year! There will be a great selection of locally sourced food and drink to choose from. There will be refreshments and a BBQ serving burgers and sausages. Thatcham Fireworks Where: Kennet School When: 7th November. Gates open at 6pm. Display starts at 7:30pm Cost: Adult £10. Children £5. Under 4's free. Family Ticket £20 A professional low-noise display set to music from the movies! Hermitage Fireworks Where: Hermitage Primary School When: 7th November, Gates open at 5:30pm. Fireworks at 7:00pm Cost: Adult tickets-£8 Child tickets-£6 Under 5s-Free! Note - On gate prices increase by £3 Get your tickets here: https://www.pta-events.co.uk/hermitagepta/index.cfm... # Friends of Woolhampton Fireworks Where: Padworth Village Hall When: 8th November, 5pm - 8pm Cost: Advance: - Adult £10. Child £5. Family £27.50 (prices on the gate more expensive)

Review below, written by Katie from WBFL. *This was a gifted session I recently had a 1-to-1 baby massage session with Danielle (IAIM baby massage trained) from Soothing Strokes Baby Massage, and it was absolutely brilliant! From start to finish, she was so personable, kind, and knowledgeable, creating a lovely warm atmosphere that made it easy to relax and enjoy those special moments with my baby. The session was relaxed yet informative, and I learned so much about the importance and benefits of baby massage. It was a wonderful bonding experience for me and my little one - we both really enjoyed it! There were plenty of great sensory and visual resources to keep my baby entertained, and I loved the thoughtful touches like the small bottle of organic massage oil, the printed handouts for future reference, and special moment cards to capture memories and photos with your baby. Danielle explained everything clearly and made sure we felt confident with each technique, demonstrating each stage beautifully. The session even included singing - another wonderful way to bond with your baby - making it such a lovely and enjoyable morning. Danielle also runs group courses with refreshments and time to chat with other parents, which is a great way to connect with your local community. The 1-to-1 session felt extra special, giving us the chance to really focus and learn together. Danielle even offers home visits within an hour of Tadley (petrol costs apply). So you can get your friends together and make it a special occasion to enjoy with your babies and friends. I can’t recommend Danielle and her classes highly enough — it’s an amazing experience for both parent and baby. Check out her socials for more information — you’ll be glad you did! Instagram Facebook

Looking for fun things to do over October half-term in West Berkshire (and nearby)? Whether you have got little ones, teens, or just want a relaxing break, here’s a round-up of ideas, events and local gems to check out. (Always double-check times and booking requirements before heading out.) Halloween Activities: - See our Halloween Guide for more details There are some great Halloween activities going on all around West Berkshire this half term. Pumpkin Picking - See our Pumpkin Picking Guide for more details We have already started our pumpkin picking adventures and have had such great fun. Please see our social media pages for more details. Our top picks for pumpkin picking this year are: High Lodge Farm Wasing Pick your own pumpkins and Woodland Trail Millets Pick your own Pumpkins Trails Woolton Hill Scarecrow Trail Where: Woolton Hill When: 25th October - 3rd November Cost: £3 (cash only) Pick up your trail from Woolton Hill Village Stores and start your scarecrow-spotting adventure. With 30 scarecrows to count, this years event will be lots of fun! Thatcham Scarecrow Trail Where: Thatcham When: 25th October - 2nd November Cost: £3 Get your map from the Nature Discovery Centre Shaw House Fairy Door Trail Where: Shaw House, Newbury When: 27th - 31st October 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: £2 Explore the grounds to find the fairy doors. Additional magical craft and colouring will be available in the Activity Room. Trail sheets available from Reception for a suggested donation of £2. Movies and Theatre Movie in the Hall - Monsters Inc Where: Shaw House When: Monday 27th October Cost: Adults £5 Child £3 Join Shaw House for a movie in the Hall. Stickman Where: Corn Exchange, Newbury When: 28th-30th October Cost: £18.25 per person This award-winning production, from the team behind  Zog and  Zog and the Flying Doctors , features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky move Hickory Dickory Dock   Where: Shaw House, Newbury When: 28th October - 11am & 1pm Cost: Adults £10, Children £7 (under 2s free) Join Shaw House for a merry slapstick two person show, starring glove puppets, silly museum curators, dozy delivery drivers, a magnificent clock and that song you've all been waiting for! Arts and Crafts: Shaw House Family Activity Day - Monsters Rock! Where: Shaw House, Newbury When: 29th October 10:00 - 15:00 Cost: £2.50 Do you need a new decoration to display for Halloween? If so, join Shaw House for this spookily good craft - making a monster from painting a stone with acrylic paint pens. Suitable for 7-11 year olds but younger and older children are welcome. No need to book, just drop in. Arts Award in a Morning: Museum, Corn Exchange and Library When: Thursday 30th October - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. £6.50 Where: West Berkshire Museum, Corn Exchange, and West Berkshire Library Achieve your Arts Award Discover in a morning, in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues! Theatre Workshop - Waterside Centre When: Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 October Where: Waterside Centre Cost: Free Berkshire Youth, Watermill Theatre, and Newbury Pride are teaming up for a series of free workshops inspired by the smash-hit production Charley’s Aunt. Ages 14–17. Book via the Watermill Theatre website. Family Fun Welford Park Spectacle of Light Where: Welford Park When : 17th October – 9th November (selected dates) Cost: From £13 An illuminated trail experience through gardens and woodland Illuminate the Base Where:The Base, Greenham When: Monday 27th October — Friday 31st October Cost: £10 per group of 4 Help the Base create their annual illuminated lantern display for The Base's festive season. Create decorative willow star lanterns that will join their festive stag display at The Base this Christmas! During these two-hour workshops, families will be able to get creative and make individual lanterns using sustainable materials. Outdoors Family Trail: Nocturnal Safari - Nature Discovery Centre Where: Nature Discovery Centre When: Tuesday, 28th October Cost: £10 Join The Nature Discovery Centre for an evening of exploration and discover the animals that come out at twilight and after dark.  There will be a variety of activities including a bat walk, star gazing and lantern making . Family Trail: Happy Hedgehogs - Nature Discovery Centre Where: Nature Discovery Centre When: Wednesday 29th and 30th October, 10:00-15:00 Cost: £7 Join the Nature Discovery Centre to learn more about hedgehogs and find out what you can do to help them thrive.  When you have completed the trail, you can make a hedgehog-themed craft to take home. This event is suitable for families with children aged 4 to 11 years. Holiday Clubs The Base: Holiday Art Club Where: The Base, Greenham When: Monday 27th Oct 2025 — Thursday 30th Oct 2025 Cost:£12.50 Experiment with different art techniques and creative projects. Mon 27 Oct - Painted Pumpkins Tues 28 Oct - Clay Bobbleheads Wed 29 Oct - Painty Plants Thur 30 Oct - Junk Robots Water Side Centre Half Term Youth Club Where:Water Side Centre When: Tuesday 28th – Friday 31st October, 4–8pm Cost:Free For young people in secondary school, this free week of activities includes games, social time, dinner each evening, and climbing sessions on Wednesday and Friday. Water Side Centre Half Term Junior Club Where:Water Side Centre When: Tuesday 28th – Friday 31st October, 9–4pm Cost:£25 Join the Waterside Centre for Half Term Junior Club, packed with activities for children aged 8–11 years.

There are some great places in Berkshire to pick a pumpkin which will provide fun for all ages.  Check out where to have lots of Pumpkin fun below! Cobbs Pop up Pumpkin Patch and Carving Tent When: Friday 17th - 31st October 2025 10:00 - 16:00 (3pm on Sundays!) Where: Cobbs, Hungerford, Bath Road, Hungerford RG17 0SP   Visit the pop-up pumpkin patch at Cobbs, with small, medium and large pumpkins to choose from. No need to book for pumpkin picking BUT  if you want to make a day of it, you can book online  to visit the carving tent and create a beautiful masterpiece from your picked pumpkin. To make use of the carving tent, its £10 per person and includes your picked pumpkin, all the tools to create a masterpiece, a glass of squash for children and you get to leave all your mess behind! Buckelbury Farm Pumpkin Carving When: 13th-31st October Where: Bucklebury Farm Pick your own Pumpkin and Carve it. There is plenty of other Halloween fun going on at the farm as well. Berkshire Farm Girl’s Pick Your Own Pumpkins & Maize Maze When : Opening on Saturday the 4th of October at 10am. Check online for exact opening times and days. Where: Newbury, RG18 9AA What to Expect: 🎃 The golden pumpkin carriage 🎃 Mini Maize Maze    🎃 Big Bale play       🎃 Horse Drawn Carriage Rides (extra cost)      🎃 The Welly Cafe - Hot chocolate, marshmallows & Treats (extra cost)      🎃 Carving Area for your Purchased Pumpkins      🎃 Pedal Tractor Track      🎃 Large selection of pumpkins grown on the farm - priced per pumpkin on size      🎃 Photo Opportunities including a surprise visitor in the mud this year      🎃 FREE parking (1 CAR)      🎃 Access to the PYO Sweetcorn area (first come basis)      🎃 Toys and Games and Halloween props      🎃 Wheelbarrows      🎃 Face Painting available (additional costs subject to availability)   Pumpkin Picking, Hallcourt Farm When: Selected dates throughout October Where: Hallcourt Farm, Midgham Reading, RG7 5TX Woodland Walk - a fantastic woodland trail including a spooky puzzle to solve, and a prize t Tickets Include:  🎃 Wild Woodland Walk - a fantastic woodland trail including a spooky puzzle to solve, and a prize to be won!  🎃 Pumpkin carving & decorating in the beautiful Halloween themed barn  🎃 BIG Bale Play   🎃 Prizes for best fancy-dress   🎃 LOADS of fun family photo opportunities   🎃 Free parking and use of wheelbarrows to collect your pumpkins Tickets Exclude: 🎃 Caroline's Little Kitchen & La Kordun - serving up hot & cold drinks and delicious snacks  🎃  Face Painting by Charlotte - for a full face or cheeky cheek of Halloween themed make-up 🎃 The Hallcourt Farm 'Homemade Produce Bar' - a selection of delicious home-made produce  🎃 Halloween 'Welly Wanging' - a great fun game for all the family with a Halloween prize to be won!  Pumpkin Picking, The Little Play Lounge When: 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th & 29th of October: Where: The Old Rectory, Rectory Road, Padworth Common, RG7 4JD Join The Little Play Lounge for autumnal pumpkin picking with all the family; play on some hay bales, enjoy their pumpkin themed games, chat to the happy scarecrows and take some photos for the family album! Wasing’s Pick Your Own Pumpkins and Woodland Trail When : 17th-19th and 24th - 31st Where : Wasing Lane, Aldermaston, RG7 4LY At the heart of stunning Wasing Estate near Aldermaston lies a very special pumpkin patch. Visitors are invited to follow the enchanting decorated woodland trail through Wasing's stunning autumnal woodland then head for the pumpkin patch where a fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits and where you can choose your perfect pumpkin, Under 2’s Free.  Millets Farm Centre Pick your Own Pumpkin When : Open at weekends only from the 27th September and then daily from 18th – 31st October, 27th & 28th Sept and 4th, 5th Oct. 10am – 4pm, final entry 3pm.  11th, 12th, 20th – 23rd October, 10am – 5pm, final entry 4pm. 18th, 19th, 24th – 29th October, 9am – 5pm, final entry 4pm. 30th & 31stOctober, 9am – 4.30pm, final entry 3.30pm. Where : Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX135HB The Millets Pumpkin Patch features loads of Halloween themed props and photo opportunities. Grab a wheelbarrow and explore the fields to pick the perfect pumpkin! Entry tickets vary depending on the date you plan to visit. Everyone who wants to enter the patch must have an admission ticket, with the exception of toddlers and babies under 2 years old who do not require an admission ticket and may enter free of charge with a full paying adult. Ticket prices vary depending on the date attending. Online prices start from £1.50pp – £3pp and walk-in ticket prices are £2pp – £3.50pp. Millets Farm Centre Pumpkins by Night When : Open 5.30-10pm (last entry 8.30pm) on 16th-18th October, then daily from 23rd to 30th October. Where: Millets Farm Centre, Kingston Road Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX135HB Get ready to immerse yourself in the Halloween spirit with an illuminated trail, live acts, and a pumpkin to pick! As the sun goes down, the patch lights up with live entertainment, an enchanted trail and lots more. Pre-booking online is recommended as tickets sell out fast! Ticket prices vary depending on the date attending. Online prices start from £13.50pp and walk-in ticket prices are from £14.50pp. Please note this is NOT a scare night. High Lodge Farm When :11th,12th, 18th, 19th, 25th-31st October Where: Culham, Abingdon OX14 3DX Visit High Lodge Farm's best-selling PYO Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Trail this Halloween! Venture into the witchy woods if you dare… Tickets include: 🎃 Entry to the PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail 🎃 Activity sheet and pencil, 🎃 Photo opportunities, 🎃 Halloween play-patch with huge garden games, 🎃 Bales 🎃 Sandpit 🎃 Farm tractor 🎃 Mud pile 🎃 Free sweet treat. Barrel train rides are extra and pumpkins are paid for separately.  Beale Wildlife Park When: 11th & 12th Oct, 18th & 19th Oct, 25th Oct- 1st Nov Where : Beal Wildlife Park, Lower Basildon, Berkshire, RG8 9NW 🎃 Wonder the Woodland Scarecrow walk 🎃Dress up your dog for dog day (1st Nov) 🎃Enjoy Autumn treats and drinks 🎃Face Painting Fun 🎃Tackle the Maize Quest £4 Early Bird, £5 on the day, and under 1's go free. Tickets are for the Pumpkin Patch only unless stated; park admission is separate. Under 1s go free.

PR visit A wonderful morning full of music at Ramsbury Memorial Hall, with two captivating interactive performances: The Singing Shell (for ages 0–3) and Whale Song (for ages 4–10). Both were delivered by two incredible musicians, Lucia Vernon-Long and Sam Peña, whose energy and skill created an inspiring musical experience for children and families alike. Each session was beautifully tailored to its age group. In The Singing Shell , the youngest audience members were gently introduced to rhythm, melody, and sound through singing, movement, and playful instrumental exploration. Whale Song built on these foundations, offering older children opportunities to experiment with compositional ideas and structured improvisation appropriate to their level. A particular highlight was the remarkable improvisation by pianist Sam Peña, who took four sea-related musical ideas suggested by the audience and wove them together into a captivating improvised piece. It was a magical moment - a true example of creativity in real time, and a rare opportunity for children to witness live musical invention. Both performances were engaging, inclusive, and musically enriching. It was wonderful for children to experience such high-quality live music-making alongside brilliant, professional musicians. An inspiring morning for all who attended.

Looking for things to do in West Berkshire  this October? With Halloween and half term just around the corner, there is plenty to keep the whole family entertained. Here’s a round-up of a mix of family fun, cultural happenings, seasonal events, and local highlights. (Note: always check the event’s website before heading out — details can change.) ARTS AND CULTURE: Arts Award in a Morning: Museum, Corn Exchange and Library Achieve your Arts Award Discover in a morning, in three fun-filled sessions at central Newbury venues! Thursday 30th October - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM. £6.50 Start your journey at West Berkshire Museum with a craft and museum trail before moving on to Newbury Library for a story-based session. Finish at the Corn Exchange with a drama session, and you will also have an opportunity to complete your ‘Discover’ level Arts Award (Arts and Culture Passport) there. CORN EXCHANGE: The Corn Exchange is hosting a varied program through autumn, with great theatre performances, fun family cinema shows and Halloween Activities. Highlights include: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show   - 10th–12th October - £16.25 per person Stickman - 28th-30th October - £18.25 per person Childrens Halloween Mask Making -31st October - £10 per child THE BASE: There are loads of fun arts and craft activities going on at the Base. Highlights include: Young Curators (14 - 18 yrs) 2nd October -13th November (Thursdays) Little Artists Afterschool Club ( 7-11 yrs ) - 2nd October - 4th December (Thursdays) £8 per child per session Halloween Trick or Treat Bag - 26th of October - £38 per child CITY ARTS: Get creative this Autumn and Halloween at City Arts, Newbury Children’s Nature T-Shirt Printing - City Arts - Saturday 18 October 10:30am to 12:30pm , £15 + bring a t-shirt Children’s Halloween Linoprint - Sunday 26th October– 2 to 4pm – £16 Halloween Easy Printing - City Arts -27th October – 12:30 to 2 pm – £12 Halloween Doodles - Drawing workshop with Tim Furr- Tuesday 28th October 1:30 to 3pm, £15 per child (one adult per child joins for free) Halloween Heads in Clay - Ceramic workshop with Katherine Kingdon - Thursday 30th October 10:30 am TO 12:30 pm, £17.50 + £2/person firing charge on the day This workshop is for children 8 years old and over. Children’s Glass Fusing – Halloween - T hursday 30th October – 1:30 to 2:30pm – £24 This workshop is aimed at children 5 – 11 years old Trick or Treat Stamp and Repeat - Spooky Block Printing Workshop for Kids! - Friday 31st October 2025, 1:30 to 3:30pm – £15 This workshop is for children of all ages SHAW HOUSE: Fairy Door Trail - Monday 27th October - 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Explore the grounds to find the fairy doors. Additional magical craft and colouring will be available in the Activity Room. The Shaw House School of Enchantment - 31st October Hickory Dickory Dock - The mouse ran up the clock! 28th October - 11am & 1pm - Adults £10, Children £7 (under 2s free) Family Activity Day: Monsters Rock! - 29th October - 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - join Shaw House for this spookily good craft making a monster from a painting stone and acrylic paint pens. BUCKLEBURY FARM: See our Halloween Guide for all the details. COBBS FARM: See our Pumpkin Picking Guide for the details SPECIAL EVENTS: Thatcham Festival - 10th - 19th October With comedy, theatre, music, dance, history, author talks, outdoor nature and music festivals, photo and art exhibitions whatever your interest, Thatcham Festival has it covered with over 35 separate events all taking place over 10 packed days. Roman Family Fun Da y - West Berkshire Museum Spectacle of Light” - Welford Park -17 October – 9 November (selected dates) An illuminated trail experience through gardens and woodland Museum Explorers - West Berkshire Museum - 28 October, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm A relaxed morning for children with additional needs and their families to enjoy the Museum when there is less hustle and bustle Have a wonderful October!

Looking for fun, spooky, and family-friendly ideas to celebrate Halloween in West Berkshire this year? Here’s a list of inspiring activities to make your October unforgettable! Bucklebury Farm When: Various Date throughout October - Visit Bucklebury Website for more details Where: Bucklebury Farm Here’s what’s waiting for you at Bucklebury Farm: 👻Woodland Trail 👻Pick your perfect pumpkin at the patch 👻Carve a spooky masterpiece 👻Spooky Afternoon Tea 👻 Halloween Disco 👻Witches’ Hat Crafts 👻Trick-or-Treat Arts & Crafts 👻Chocolate Lolly Making PLUS all your farm favourites: tractor rides, outdoor play & the play barn fun! Halloween Half Term at 4 Kingdoms When: 25 October to 2 November Where: 4 Kingdoms Enjoy indoor soft play, animals, outdoor activities, Halloween-themed mischief, and even pumpkin picking in a specially designed patch Spooky Halloween Craft – Thatcham Library When: 31 October. 11:00 to 12:00 Where: Thatcham Library Little ones (3+) can enjoy a spooky craft session for just £1. No booking required—just drop in. Children’s Halloween Linoprint 2025 When: Sunday 26 October. 2 to 4pm Where:City Arts Cost: £16 This workshop is suitable for children 8 and over Print your own treat bag! Come and get creative and learn how to create some spooky prints using traditional lino print techniques. In this fun workshop you will be able to print your own paper treat bag ready for Halloween. Halloween Easy Printing 2025 When: Monday 27 October 2025 – 12:30 to 2 pm Where: City Arts Newbury Cost: £12 This workshop is suitable for children of any age.Children under 8 need to be accompanied by an adult A fun introduction to printing suitable for all ages. You will be learning safe carve and printing techniques with foam, making loads of beautiful Halloween themed prints. Halloween Doodles with Tim Furr When: 28 October Where: City Arts Newbury A creative and lighthearted activity ideal for kids who love doodling with a Halloween twist. Halloween Heads in Clay 2025 When: Thursday 30 October 2025 Where: City Arts Newbury Cost: £17.50 + £2/person firing charge on the day This workshop is for children 8 years old and over. During this workshop you’ll make a clay head and explore ways of sculpting facial features – ears, eyes, nose and even horns and fangs if you fancy. You’ll learn clay modelling and joining techniques and explore ways of developing character through facial features.  Tiny Towns Trick or Treat When: 29th October Where: Tiny Town Cafe, Newbury Trick Or Treat - Tiny Towns Halloween Party join the most spook-tacular play session of the year, creepy crafts, ‘dare to look’ sensory tray, web-tastic finger gym and a pumpkin picky plate is included in a child’s ticket Naturally Curious Play When: 31st October Where: YMCA Centre, Padworth Halloween Special in the Woods. Play with Pumpkin Potions and Woodland Delights. Active Tots When: 30th, 31st October and 1st Nov Where: Active Tots,   5-7 Granary Court Fairoak Green, Reading RG7 2DL The Activities Room will be filled with themed activities for everyone to enjoy! (alongside soft play)Put on your best Fancy Dress outfit and join the fun. The cafe will be serving the usual menu throughout the playtimes with some delicious themed specials to complement the fun. Playtimes will each be 2 hours long The Retreat Hotel - Spooky Halloween Fun When: 29th October 2 - 5pm ( 2 sessions) Where: The Retreat Hotel, Elcot Park Pop Up Play Village, an award-winning mobile role play village, for children up to 8 years old, is popping up at The Retreat with a spooky Halloween theme - a unique event where your little ones can play, learn and socialise. Children will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Halloween themed play village, all with a spooky twist! As well as four play areas to enjoy there will be a craft area where the children can make spiders webs and Halloween cards. Jubilee at Newbury Boat Trip When: 28th and 30th October Where: Starts and ends at Northcroft Join their Halloween themed trip during half term week for a frightful cruise through Newbury. The boat and the crew will be dressed up for the occasion and passengers are invited to be dressed to trick and they might get a treat! Children will enjoy a ’spooky’ story, a Halloween quiz and, for those who dare, a chance at the ’trick or treat’ box! Children must be accompanied by at least one adult. Trips last an hour. Halloween Trick or Treat Bag When: 26th October 2pm-4pm Where: The Lookout Studio, The Base Cost: £38 per child You will learn how to make paper stencils, experiment with scary neon inks and get to grips with a squeegee to produce your own tote bag ready to be filled with treats on Halloween. Suitable for ages 6 - 15 Halloween Pinch Pots: Hats, Cats and Bats When: 26th October 10am - 12.30pm Where: The Lookout Studio, The Base Cost: £25 per child Make and paint a decorative seasonal pinch pot in clay. Inspired by hats, bats and cats, using air-drying foam clay and acrylic paint with Susie Oates from Pots of Hope.

A guest post by Zara Preston - Mother, Teacher, Co-founder of the Parent Village, and all round fantastic person. Good morning from my new kitchen. Sitting and looking out as the birds fly to their nut feeders over from the trees. I’ve never had a feeling so appreciative of what we call life. This is the peaceful start to the day, when minds are fresh (ish) and we are still all in our pyjamas after the first few days back to school for my eldest two daughters. It’s been a rather busy few days but I’m glad to be writing and capturing this moment – it’s a moment of stillness in the chaos and I have a hot cup of tea. First interruption from cat No. 1… I’ve been asked to write a few words for the launch of the West Berkshire Family Life new website and I couldn’t be more honoured. The journey with children has taken from my first nearly-homebirth in September 2019*, to my second actual homebirth in summer 2021*, to my third and final c-section last summer in 2024*. Anyway, we are finally in a space that fits us all in (just!) and finally have a garden that the girls can explore to their hearts’ content (yes, we have three girls under 5: wish us luck when they’re 12, 14 and 15…!). Second interruption from baby No. 1… My link to WBFL came when I used it as a main go-to for my first pregnancy workshop that was sponsored by Educafe and run by The Parent Village. I wanted the workshop to inform women about the local community, the local help, and support them with any advice they asked for. Knowledge is power when it comes to birth. When I think back to how my Mum told me that when she got to the hospital in the 80s, her midwife said, “Don’t worry – we’ll take it from here.”. That has blown my mind – how do other women know how your own body feels? It felt like a lot of information that women are given was outdated and old fashioned. My Nan was a ‘call the midwife’ and she had 7 children. If she can have seven, then I can handle three...some days though I’m amazed I’ve made it through and then there are some days when I’ve done all the laundry, made a loaf, done the dishwasher, hung some hooks on the wall: all sorts of things. Parenthood is a total oxymoronic rollercoaster. We need people to go through it with. We need people to cheer us on when we’ve got two hours to bedtime and the only thing that helps is wine. Let’s not even go there with childcare. That is for another day. The pregnancy workshop was an extension of our original idea where my friend and I saw a space for people to meet and help each other. My girls in the woods. The Parent Village started from two pregnant women sat in a garden. Third interruption from baby No. 1… ,…….jnnnnnmmnmmm Mmjkklkkjn kmkmkmkmkm jnkmhkjm,m, So… two women sat in a garden. My friend Colline and I (from the amazing Colline’s Kitchen) met during lockdown when I started a little tie dye business. My first daughter was six months old or so. All the proceeds went to the NHS and I loved doing a little bit: it kept me busy in a creative way. I learnt so much as a new skill and experimented with colour and design. The girls still have so many clothes from that era. Anyway, Colline saw some of my tie dye online and she bought some for her eldest. She came to collect and played in our garden, and among many more meet ups, we both soon realised we were pregnant with our second babies and due 1 day apart. What we didn’t know is that they were both born on the same day, and we would be rooms apart, in the same ward, in the same hospital. Still gives me chills at how life happens. Fourth interruption from child No. 2… So Colline had the idea about creating an Educafe: a place for people of the community to meet once a week and connect, learn, relax, and (most importantly) eat cake. A place for many minds to create a hub of joy and refuge. We spoke about how this could be the space that could hold our parent meet up. After the painful upbringing of children after lockdown, parents were vulnerable and trapped. The world operated differently. We needed people to be close again. The baby weigh-ins had shut down, baby groups had closed, people shut their doors and were afraid of interaction. But the creation of Parent Village didn’t just come from a post-lockdown state, it came from a historical viewpoint where the community that supports parents has been diminishing for a long time. I remember my Grandparents and all my Aunties (I come from a very big family) talking about their village and how all their neighbours would help them bring up the children. How people, post war, helped everyone. They had to. The men were away; the women had to survive. Colline and I felt that that neighbourly interaction needed a change…I felt nervous to knock on front doors without asking and that felt like such a shame. We’d lost something. I love people knocking on my door randomly, without warning – for either a catch up or a hello. It’s the unplanned moments. Like Stuart* who knocked on my door at 5:30pm and Oscar had to call me in to start bathtime at 6pm…he was in his 80s and he’d walked round. I’m still yet to return to his door – but tomorrow I’m making fig cake and I can’t wait to see his face when he knows it’s for him. Cooking for others is the most joyful thing on the planet. That’s probably why Colline and I get on. With social interaction, the community hesitancy was already there before but lockdown enhanced it – people were scared of shaking hands, of being too close to each other. We had to be more open to nurturing each other and looking after one another. We had to connect again. We had to love more. So Parent Village came out of that – a need for our own village. We needed one – so we made one. Every week, we invited parents to join us for tea, coffee and cake. No schedule, all free of charge, no pressure to arrive at a certain time (anywhere between 11am and 1pm). No poo explosions would make you late and then you’d lose money and be late to class. Other parent classes felt like that. Such a rush and so expensive. Our way seemed to work. Parents needed it. The group pulled in 20-40 parents a week and now has 1000+ people on 3 whatsapp groups – 1 generic one for open ended questions, one for selling on baby/children items, and one recipe swap. With my eldest at tots cinema, Corn Exchange During one of our first in-person meets, a parent came along in need and the help that a local charity gave her made her break down in tears. This community support wasn’t just for cake anymore, it was survival. It seemed like we had made something more important that we ever thought possible. I thrived on being helpful. My teaching background made me enjoy organising it and I began to use connections that I’d developed over my first few pregnancies and births. From my paediatric nutritionist friend, to council-run breastfeeding advice, to a hypnobirthing friend, to finding musical talents in the area, to sleep consultants, to first aiders, to matrescence talks, to women’s health experts, and even fitness gurus who came in to check whether we had separated abdominal muscles after birth. I kept inviting people and people kept coming. You name it, we had the support for it. I invited specialists in their field to come and talk to us, in a relaxed space to offer support for new mums or any mums who needed it. I’ve now passed the baton on as I focus on moving into an actual village (!). The Parent Village in Newbury is still thriving – albeit with the usual fundraising challenges. I can only hope for the same support from the place I’ve now moved to. It’s been my proudest achievement bar our engagement, buying a second house, and of course, our three little ladies. My online tutoring has been a humongous success as well – I had to leave a structured school timetable so I created flexible work on my terms and it has been life changing. Fifth interruption: breakfast… Sixth interruption: Organising girls bedroom… Seventh interruption: Tutoring a new pupil… This may be my eighth time I’ve sat down to write this since starting it two days ago. I’ve just gone over the piece – added bits in and added lots more detail to other areas. I hope you enjoy the honest approach where I’ve talked through all my daily interruptions. And here we are, all the girls come one by one from their bath with Daddy. The biggest one comes and snuggles straight into me, reading the words as I type and smiling as she can read now. Her wet hair is soaking on my shoulder. My second one says how I’ve written lots of words and asks me to write ‘poop in my pants’. That’s one crazy middle child, alright. The third one, only just a toddler, but still my baby, clambers on and I am barely struggling to type with her forehead pressed into my throat and cuddling so hard. The twenty minutes she left me for the bath felt like a lifetime to her. I feel like I can’t be surrounded by any more love if I tried. The view at dusk out of our new bedroom window finishes off this article as I dream about what our new home could be. I start to realise that this is the luckiest I’ve ever felt. Stuff of dreams and that. More on this soon. But for now, happy home everyone. And here’s to cheering each other on. We made it, our village. *I’ve published all my birth stories on my blog, so head over there if you fancy a read: www.quetzalcoatl.co.uk. The first ever Educafe in June 2021, my second was 3 weeks old.