Summer fun events and activities to keep children, young people and families happy and active through the summer holidays.
We're happy to be able to safely open up more activities this year to offer a great variety of fun things to do during the summer holidays. From woodland walks to story times, open air theatre to brushing up on cycling skills, there's something for everyone.
Our £5 million makeover of the much loved Lido at Northcroft Leisure Centre will start over the summer. Sadly, this means we can't open to offer our usual summer fun. Boooooo!
The good news is that we'll be making a big splash when we reopen next summer with a new 50 metre Olympic sized pool, more attractions for children and better access all round. Woooohooo!
Englefield Estate
The beautiful gardens at Englefield House are open every Monday throughout summer from 10am to 6pm. Enjoy the children's garden, tranquil woodland with babbling stream, and impressive formal gardens. There are miles of walking routes and bridleways across the Estate to explore too.
You don't have to go far to enjoy great water based fun.
Blue Lemon Paddleboarding offer lessons and tours at four West Berkshire locations. Get in touch to plan your adventure as an individual, group or family.
It's different for everyone, but once you find your 'leisure', you want to do it as much as you can. It could be something that gives you a little peace and quiet. It could be something that gets you hot and sweaty, outside close to nature, or gives you time with your friends, making you feel part of a team. Our leisure centres play a big part in providing the sports and leisure activities we all enjoy.
They're all around the district offering everything from swimming and pilates to weight training and indoor cycling, with instructors on hand to advise and motivate you to keep active.
The leisure discount card for West Berkshire residents
The West Berkshire Card is a great, free way to get discounts (around 10%) at a range of Council facilities including the council's sports and leisure centres. There's A Young Person Card for young people who are 16 years of age or under (up to and including students in Year 11 at school) and a Concessionary Card for residents over 60 years of age and not in employment; residents with a disability; and those in receipt of specified benefits. See the West Berkshire Card Information Leaflet for full details.
Our successful Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme will be running again over the summer holidays this year and will run for 4 of the 6 weeks (weeks vary depending on provider).
The scheme provides free enjoyable activities and nutritious meals for primary and secondary school aged children (4-16) who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
The sessions will include a variety of fun and enriching physical activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a free nutritious meal each day. Nutritional resources and learning will also be made available to children attending the sessions.
Newbury's Victoria Park is the perfect place to enjoy all types of family fun. There are lots of free activities, such as the children's splash park, play areas for toddlers and older children, outdoor gym equipment and a brilliant skatepark.
Victoria Park hosts events and Brass & Silver Bands play throughout the summer on the traditional Bandstand. It's also home to Newbury Bowling Club, a community café and is a fabulous place to simply relax and enjoy the sunshine and beautiful floral displays.
A community Basketball Club for all sexes aged 4-40+, they have over 680 players playing every week across their programmes, which include basketball hubs for 4-12-year-olds, satellite clubs for 13-19 year olds, and their newly launched community league to provide grass roots competition.
They run Special Educational Needs (SEN) programmes in special needs schools offering 1:1 sports sessions, weekly SEN clubs in Reading and SEN camps during school holidays, when the club partners up with other local sports to provide multi-sport camps for their SEN players. They also mentor their older SEN players to volunteer with their younger programmes and are supporting young players in their mainstream programmes through the Me2club. They run a coach mentoring programme which encourages parents, older players and especially women to get into coaching.
They're running camps over the summer for ages 4+ including a girls only camp and will also be working around the district running sessions on outdoor courts to help young people get active outside and enjoy the summer sun!
See information on their summer programmes and weekly community timetable at www.readingrockets.co.uk
Waterside Centre
You'll be spoilt for Summer Fun choice at the Waterside Centre in Newbury. Choose from climbing, paddling, sports and games, singing and music and much more.
Follow them on their social channels to keep up to speed with their exciting summer programme.
Sport in Mind are running FREE social sports and games at the Waterside Centre, Newbury for young people aged 13 - 16 who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health. These term time sessions are fun, interactive and a great way to help build confidence, support self-esteem and meet new people. Book places by emailing youth@sportinmind.org
Climbing and Paddling Clubs
Waterside Centre run brilliant climbing and paddling activities every Friday after school during term time, for secondary school aged young people. See Climbing Club and Paddling Club for further details. Book places by emailing waterside@berkshireyouth.co.uk
West Berkshire Run Together
Want to get active, but need help to get started?
If you're new to running, or just out of practice, RunTogether offer free running groups especially for beginners to help you get off on the right foot.
The weekly sessions are fun, friendly, and free of charge at parklands and open spaces around the district. They're suitable for complete beginners or those who've been inactive for a while - you just need some comfortable clothing and trainers to join in.
Our runners are all shapes, sizes and ages and it's a great way to meet people and make news friends. Qualified run leaders lead a short run and are on hand in each session to offer advice, support and feedback to help you progress and meet your goals.
Nothing beats the feeling of exploring as a family and our family cycle training can help everyone to build confidence and enjoy adventures together. Bikeability Family is a tailored training package for families of 2 adults and up to 4 children (min 3 riders / max 6 riders).
The courses are run at venues across West Berkshire by DBS-checked, Bikeability qualified cycling instructors and cost £20 per session. They run Monday to Friday (excluding Bank holidays) for around 3 hours, depending on rider's ability.
• AM session: 9am - 12noon
• PM session: 1pm - 4pm
All cycles must be in working order and safe to ride. They may need to go to the local bike shop for a service prior to training or you can pop to the Newbury community resource centre (NCFP) for a bike service - ask for Joe. Don't have a bike? NCFP have bikes available for a small donation.
Families must complete a self-assessment prior to training. This will be shared with instructors to help plan the session.
Sunday 17 July | 11am - 4pm | Adults £2, Children £1 (Under 3's free)
Share all the fun of the Summer Fair, with over 45 craft stalls of local makers and caterers offering a variety of hot food and drinks. Plus live music, craft activities from Ugly Duckling Pottery and Creation Station, performances from Mr Muddle the Magician and children's rides. In addition, there will be a dog show hosted by the National Animal Welfare Trust so remember to bring along your four legged friend!
The House, including the Exhibition Rooms, will be open.
Dogs on leads are welcome outside.
Open Air Sculpture Exhibition
Saturday 30 July - Sunday 25 September | 11am - 4pm | Shaw House | Free
The Orangery Lawn at Shaw House will be transformed into an open air sculpture exhibition where you can discover artworks by acclaimed sculptors in the grounds of this lovely historic setting. All works on display will be available for purchase.
Monday to Friday: Visitors will have access to the grounds only.
Weekends: The House, grounds, shop and café will be open.
Please note: the exhibition will be closed on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st August due to a private event.
Saturday 23 July | Gates 6pm, Performance 7pm | Shaw House (outdoor) | Adults £13, Child £9
Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre presents one of Shakespeare's funniest comedies in their larger-than-life, wildly inventive, and laugh-out loud adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing".
Having developed a reputation for producing first class, highly original adaptations of Shakespeare's plays, the world's best-known battle of the sexes is brought vividly to life as the riotous struggle for love and power explodes onto the stage with audience interaction, heaps of comedy, and an electric soundtrack! This is Shakespeare for everyone and as it's meant to be: interactive, fun, and highly accessible!
A welcome return for the unique French style Brocante market, offering antiques, vintage, retro, bric-a-brac and decorative arts items plus vinyl records on the Great Lawn at Shaw House. A great day out for all the family with free entry to explore the House.
Street food will be available outside plus light refreshments from the café and pre-prepared picnics are available to order from www.westberkshireheritage.org/whats-on
Rapunzel
Wednesday 17 August | Gates 5pm, Performance 6pm | Shaw House (outdoor) | Adults £13, Child £9
Let your hair down and get tangled in a brand-new musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale, RAPUNZEL!
Immersion Theatre proudly presents a witty, pantomimic, tonguein- cheek retelling of the family favourite complete with a laugh out loud script, a host of catchy songs, heaps of audience interaction, and an exciting array of larger-than-life characters.
With magic and mayhem throughout and a chance to meet the characters after the show, this is one hair-raising adventure your family won't want to miss!
Friday 1 July | 6.30pm - 7.30pm | West Berkshire Museum | £5
A walk and a talk by local bird expert, Ailsa Claybourn, about these amazing birds who are disappearing from our skies, and how we can help them.
Did you know they live almost entirely aerial lives, fly up to 2 million km/1.24 million miles in a lifetime, sleep with only half their brain at a time and bathe by flying through rain? After a short talk, Ailsa will take us to see swifts and their nest sites in a walk from West Berkshire Museum, along the canal and back through Westfields.
West Berkshire Museum | £25 per child | Runs throughout the school holidays
As an explorer, your child will take part in arts and crafts and find out more about West Berkshire Museum and history. This programme is aimed at 7-12 year olds, and is a combination of workshops and a self-led project.
Presented by The Reading Agency. Delivered in partnership with libraries.
Join the Gadgeteers at your local library this summer!
West Berkshire Libraries will be challenging primary age children to read up to six library books between 1 July and 15 September and to collect free incentives from their local library for their achievements as they read - with medals and certificates for everyone who completes the challenge!
From 1 July, children aged 4-11 years can visit a library to sign up for the Summer Reading Challenge. The theme of this year's challenge is 'Gadgeteers', a celebration of creative thinking and teamwork, which has been developed in partnership with the Science Museum Group. Our young innovators will be introduced to many aspects of science engagement, including food, fashion, music, and sport - something for everyone to enjoy!
There will also be a mini-challenge for pre-school children and one for the grown-ups too!
For additional activities, games, competitions and suggestions for further reading visit summerreadingchallenge.org.uk
There are lots of events for families and children of all ages at your local library throughout the summer. Check here to see what's on near you.
Family Hub Fun
Head to our Hubs for family fun
Our three Family Hubs offer a range of services to support families, parents and carers of children aged 0-19 years old, primarily working with those with children aged under 5 years. There's always fun to have at the Hubs, with lots of fun family events running all through the summer, including Antenatal & Postnatal support, Breastfeeding support, Baby groups, Stay, Play & Learns sessions (0-4 years) and Family Learning courses.
From Messy Play to Cruisers and Crawlers, they have summer fun all wrapped up and ready to go.
We offer free, regular, led Wellbeing Walks for people of all abilities. Our walks are friendly, welcoming and empowering, and a great opportunity to explore the outdoors, discover new places and meet new people. Our walk leaders are trained volunteers who are on hand to encourage and support walkers.
The walks are free and easy, ranging from 30 to 90 minutes. Some walks stop for coffee afterwards which is a great way to socialise and relax. See more information at the Wellbeing Walks website and see our latest timetable to find a walk near you.
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Fostering
#writethenextchapter
West Berkshire Council is currently seeking new foster carers who could provide a loving and secure home for siblings such as Olivia, Freya and Jack who can no longer live at home.
We need families who can offer these children a chance to maintain their relationships. Could you be the family they need thrive together?
If you think you are ready for this challenge, then please contact the Family Placement Team on : T: 01635 503155 E: familyplacement@westberks.gov.uk
Go wild this summer and explore one of the local nature reserves managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT).
Take a long walk through the gorse at glorious Greenham Common - each summer the site is home to ground-nesting birds like the magical nightjar. Look out on BBOWT's events page for its annual night-time nightjar walks!
If you're feeling more adventurous, go exploring through the heather at Snelsmore - in the summer you can see lounging lizards and other reptiles sunbathing on the rocks.
To cool off, delve into beautiful Bowdown Woods with its mysterious valley where butterflies bask. Look out for the spectacular silver-washed fritillary and the handsome white admiral.
Plant some flowers, pick the strawberries or just relax and enjoy a quiet cup of tea in the new community garden at Thatcham's Nature Discovery Centre.
Every Friday from 1pm to 3pm, centre staff are inviting anyone who fancies doing a spot of gardening - or just spending time in a beautiful green space - to come down.
Throughout this summer there will be activities you can join each week, or you can just come and enjoy some fresh air.
Research shows that spending time in nature can be good for our physical and mental health - so why not come and help grow some flowers while you grow as a person.
The Nature Discovery Centre is managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust, and the community garden is part of the Trust's Engaging With Nature project.
Come and spot beautiful birds, explore the woods and even join a teddy bears' picnic this summer at the Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham.
All activities are run by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) which manages this brilliant nature reserve and looks after the wildlife. Booking essential for all activities - book online at bbowt.org.uk/events
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Family Trail
August 2-4 | 10am -2pm
Arrive anytime between 10am and 12.30pm. £5 per child, adults free. Booking essential.
Follow the trail around our beautiful reserve, create your own magic journey stick as you go and don't forget to join us for live storytelling sessions throughout the day.
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Awesome August
Tuesdays in August (9, 16, 23 and 30)
Two slots each day, 10am-11.30am or 12.30pm-2pm. £7 per child. Booking essential.
Join our Learning Officer for fun and inspiring wildlife-themed workshops every Tuesday in August. Two workshop dates for families (August 9 and 30), one for adults (August 16) and one for teens (August 23).
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Teddy Bears Picnic
Thursday, August 25 | 10am-12pm
£7 per child, adults free.
Bring your teddies to our fun family event suitable for toddlers, and meet Teddy Elsa who will show you how some of her wild teddy friends survive in the woods. Take part in fun and crafty activities and afterwards why not spend some time on the reserve having your very own picnic? _
Teen Rangers Club
Saturday, August 6 | 10.30am-12.30pm
£7 per teen. Suitable for ages 12-17
Join our Learning Officer for our monthly teens-only wildlife club where you will be able to meet other like-minded young people and take part in wildlife-themed activities on our nature reserve. _
Young Rangers Club
Saturday, August 6 | 2pm-4pm
£7 per child.
Send your young wildlife enthusiasts to our monthly wildlife club for children aged 8-12. They'll get the chance to learn more about wildlife and nature while taking part in fun and engaging activities led by our Learning Officer.
Hungerford Hub sells gifts and crafts from local makers to support the library where they hold community events. They encourage sustainability by encouraging investment in local talent to cut the emissions from global supply chains.
They're holding events throughout the Summer including book talks, crafts and wellbeing sessions.
Orchard Life is an eco-friendly health centre based in Midgham offering Yoga and Pilates classes. They're running taster sessions throughout August and September and everyone is welcome. Their therapy room provides osteopathy, podiatry, acupuncture, reflexology and shiatsu massage.
They're reducing their carbon emissions by moving to an Air Source heat pump and offering a 10% discount on classes to people who get there without a car.
The Little Zero Waste Home is a refill company based in Cold Ash offering fruit, veg and dried food to people who bring their own containers. They are plastic free as are their suppliers and sustainable living is at the core of their business.
The Hampstead Norreys Community Shop and Café houses a host of environmentally friendly products. They recently installed a milk machine, serving fresh Cornish milk on tap in reusable glass bottles and a range of refillable cleaning and laundry products called Splosh. Customers bringing their own coffee mugs and food containers get a discount. They also host the brilliant family event Greenfest.
Why not take the stress out of your day out by letting someone else do the driving? As well as reducing congestion and being good for the environment, taking the bus means you don't have to find a parking space!
We hope you liked our Summer Fun brochure and would like to keep in touch to keep you in the loop with all the great stuff happening in West Berkshire. There's lots of ways we can do this. Click on the icons to join us on our social media channels or sign up to one of our newsletters. We've got loads of topics to sign up to - all of them are free and you can manage your subscriptions at any time. To get started, just click on the envelope icon and enter your email address to choose your topics or adjust your preferences.
Summer Fun Brochure A5 2022 [18MB] 
