There is so much happening throughout the school summer holidays in Newbury, there is no way anyone can ever say, ‘I’m bored!’
Special events this month include:
Jungle Friends @ Kennet Centre
Friday 4 August
Head to the Kennet Centre and join in with their jungle fever! Monkey around with the animals on show in this interactive, educational, jungle-themed display, 11.30am–3.30pm.
Stories at the Museum
Saturday 5 August
Brought to you by the Corn Exchange Newbury and taking place at West Berkshire Museum at 11am, this is a 30-minute fun session for families with children aged under 7. Sitting on beanbags and cushions, enjoy this interactive session featuring stories themed around a museum object, with songs and rhymes for everyone to join in. The session ends with a group game and the opportunity to explore the museum's exhibitions afterwards to make it a full morning of family fun. Just £3 (children and adults). Book via the Corn Exchange Box Office in advance (cornexchangenew.com; 0845 5218 218).
ChalkFest 2017 in Market Place
Friday 11 August
For the third year running, City Arts Newbury brings to Newbury Market Place this brilliant opportunity to get creative with chalk – and it’s free (even the chalk!). The event takes place 10am–4pm and you are advised to bring a sunshade, lots of water, something to sit on … and be prepared to get messy! There will also be a competition which is £1 to enter (three categories – under 12s, teens 13+, adults) with money raised going to the City Arts Charity. On site too on the day will be independent traders Sunny Faces face painting, plus Lusso Ice Cream, Sweet Treats, and Sweets and More, so plenty of yummy goodies to buy.
Crossing Lines Project in Goldwell Park
Saturday 12 August
Goldwell Park is the location for this fantastic show brought to you by the Corn Exchange Newbury as part of their 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space project. Action theatre PAN.OPTIKUM, one of Europe’s most spectacular outdoor performance companies, join together with more than 30 young people from nine European countries to make a performance of giant proportions that combines dance, rap, performance, video projection and a huge set. It starts at 9.30pm and there is no need to book as this event is completely free.
Floating Market at The Wharf
Saturday 26–Monday 28 August
Newbury’s very first Floating Market takes place on August bank holiday weekend, 10am–6pm, held on the Kennet and Avon Canal at The Wharf. Look out for artists and designers selling lovely handmade gifts, and lots, lots more besides.
Artisan Market in the Town Centre
Sunday 27 August
The regular monthly Newbury Artisan Market is held on the last Sunday of the month and is a lively, friendly place to browse a range of stalls selling everything from great food to designer crafts, from plants to original art. And with music playing and activities aimed at children, there is something to keep every member of the family happy. It’s a great way to spend a summer Sunday, especially on a bank holiday weekend!
Paw Patrol @ Kennet Centre
Tuesday 29 August
Meet Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol at the Kennet Centre, where the heroic pups will be alternating appearances at intervals throughout the day, 11am–4pm.
And there’s lots more besides:
Pirate Boat Trips from The Wharf
The pirate galleon Jubilee sails from The Wharf in Newbury at 2.30pm every Tuesday and Wednesday until 30 August for a swashbuckling fun-packed hour on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The boat and crew will be dressed as pirates and passengers are invited to dress up too. You are advised to book in advance online at jubilee.katrust.org.uk or by telephoning 01380 721279 (office hours) or 07716 460562 (out of hours). Adults £6, seniors £5, children (2–15) £5, children under 2 free but must have a ticket.
Family Activity Days at West Berks Museum
West Berks Museum hosts fabulous exhibitions all year round but there’s even more fun to be had every Friday this summer with these themed family activities. They take place 10am–3pm and cost £2 per child. Suitable for 4–11 year olds but younger and older children are welcome. No need to book, just drop in. The sessions are:
• 4 August – Go Potty: Make a Neolithic pot from clay.
• 11 August – Magnificent Mummies: Make an Egyptian mummy.
• 18 August – Face it: Make a face out of clay.
• 25 August – Write Stuff: Make your very own quill.
• 1 September – Mini Masterpieces: Produce your own painting in the style of Claude Monet.
Victoria Park
The great outdoors is a great place to be all summer long, and Victoria Park in Newbury town centre has lots to offer, including a play park, splash park, boating pond, skate park and tennis courts.
Outdoor Pool at Northcroft Leisure Centre
Northcroft Lido is a 72m heated outdoor pool in the grounds of Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury and is open until 2 September at the following times:
Monday–Friday 7.15–8.45am and 11am–7pm
Saturday–Sunday 10am–6pm
Vue Cinema in Kennet Centre
It’s a great treat to catch a new movie during the school holidays. Check out the website www.myvue.com/cinema/newbury/whats-on to see all the exciting films coming up in August at Newbury’s town-centre cinema.
Special events this month include:
Jungle Friends @ Kennet Centre
Friday 4 August
Head to the Kennet Centre and join in with their jungle fever! Monkey around with the animals on show in this interactive, educational, jungle-themed display, 11.30am–3.30pm.
Stories at the Museum
Saturday 5 August
Brought to you by the Corn Exchange Newbury and taking place at West Berkshire Museum at 11am, this is a 30-minute fun session for families with children aged under 7. Sitting on beanbags and cushions, enjoy this interactive session featuring stories themed around a museum object, with songs and rhymes for everyone to join in. The session ends with a group game and the opportunity to explore the museum's exhibitions afterwards to make it a full morning of family fun. Just £3 (children and adults). Book via the Corn Exchange Box Office in advance (cornexchangenew.com; 0845 5218 218).
ChalkFest 2017 in Market Place
Friday 11 August
For the third year running, City Arts Newbury brings to Newbury Market Place this brilliant opportunity to get creative with chalk – and it’s free (even the chalk!). The event takes place 10am–4pm and you are advised to bring a sunshade, lots of water, something to sit on … and be prepared to get messy! There will also be a competition which is £1 to enter (three categories – under 12s, teens 13+, adults) with money raised going to the City Arts Charity. On site too on the day will be independent traders Sunny Faces face painting, plus Lusso Ice Cream, Sweet Treats, and Sweets and More, so plenty of yummy goodies to buy.
Crossing Lines Project in Goldwell Park
Saturday 12 August
Goldwell Park is the location for this fantastic show brought to you by the Corn Exchange Newbury as part of their 101 Outdoor Arts Creation Space project. Action theatre PAN.OPTIKUM, one of Europe’s most spectacular outdoor performance companies, join together with more than 30 young people from nine European countries to make a performance of giant proportions that combines dance, rap, performance, video projection and a huge set. It starts at 9.30pm and there is no need to book as this event is completely free.
Floating Market at The Wharf
Saturday 26–Monday 28 August
Newbury’s very first Floating Market takes place on August bank holiday weekend, 10am–6pm, held on the Kennet and Avon Canal at The Wharf. Look out for artists and designers selling lovely handmade gifts, and lots, lots more besides.
Artisan Market in the Town Centre
Sunday 27 August
The regular monthly Newbury Artisan Market is held on the last Sunday of the month and is a lively, friendly place to browse a range of stalls selling everything from great food to designer crafts, from plants to original art. And with music playing and activities aimed at children, there is something to keep every member of the family happy. It’s a great way to spend a summer Sunday, especially on a bank holiday weekend!
Paw Patrol @ Kennet Centre
Tuesday 29 August
Meet Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol at the Kennet Centre, where the heroic pups will be alternating appearances at intervals throughout the day, 11am–4pm.
And there’s lots more besides:
Pirate Boat Trips from The Wharf
The pirate galleon Jubilee sails from The Wharf in Newbury at 2.30pm every Tuesday and Wednesday until 30 August for a swashbuckling fun-packed hour on the Kennet and Avon Canal. The boat and crew will be dressed as pirates and passengers are invited to dress up too. You are advised to book in advance online at jubilee.katrust.org.uk or by telephoning 01380 721279 (office hours) or 07716 460562 (out of hours). Adults £6, seniors £5, children (2–15) £5, children under 2 free but must have a ticket.
Family Activity Days at West Berks Museum
West Berks Museum hosts fabulous exhibitions all year round but there’s even more fun to be had every Friday this summer with these themed family activities. They take place 10am–3pm and cost £2 per child. Suitable for 4–11 year olds but younger and older children are welcome. No need to book, just drop in. The sessions are:
• 4 August – Go Potty: Make a Neolithic pot from clay.
• 11 August – Magnificent Mummies: Make an Egyptian mummy.
• 18 August – Face it: Make a face out of clay.
• 25 August – Write Stuff: Make your very own quill.
• 1 September – Mini Masterpieces: Produce your own painting in the style of Claude Monet.
Victoria Park
The great outdoors is a great place to be all summer long, and Victoria Park in Newbury town centre has lots to offer, including a play park, splash park, boating pond, skate park and tennis courts.
Outdoor Pool at Northcroft Leisure Centre
Northcroft Lido is a 72m heated outdoor pool in the grounds of Northcroft Leisure Centre in Newbury and is open until 2 September at the following times:
Monday–Friday 7.15–8.45am and 11am–7pm
Saturday–Sunday 10am–6pm
Vue Cinema in Kennet Centre
It’s a great treat to catch a new movie during the school holidays. Check out the website www.myvue.com/cinema/newbury/whats-on to see all the exciting films coming up in August at Newbury’s town-centre cinema.
