Christmas has arrived in Newbury town centre…

With Newbury Christmas lights shining bright above the town centre, and Newbury shop windows adorned with decorations as part of ‘Newbury Best Dressed Window Competition 2017.’ It truly is the time to make the most of these festivities in Newbury town centre…

Best Dressed Window Competition: 30^th November – 6^th December 2017-12-01

Between the 30th November and 6th December, businesses from all around Newbury town centre are showing off their festive window displays in an effort to be crowned the ‘Best Dressed Window 2017’.

For your chance to win £100 in town centre vouchers, you are invited to vote for your favourite! Wander through Newbury town centre and let your entry form guide you as you select your favourite festive display from the list of participating businesses!

Santa Fun Run: 3^rd December 2017

As we slide into December, why not be part of the biggest Santa-suited fun run that Newbury has ever seen? But hurry, registration for this fantastic fundraising Newbury Fun Run closes 12 noon on Saturday 2nd of December.

Organised by Newbury Rotary Club volunteers, assisted and sponsored by Newbury BID, the fabulous Santa Fun Run 2017 takes place on Sunday 3 December, starting in Newbury Market Place. Fun for all ages and all levels of fitness, it is not a timed raced – as it says on the packet, it is just for fun – so if you are not a runner you can walk as much of the route as you like! Click here to register online today!

Santa’s Grotto: 2^nd – 23^rd December

Santa Claus is in his Newbury grotto – Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December, and again from Thursday 14 until Saturday 23 December - and just longing to know what’s on your wish list! (Then he has to nip back to the North Pole to load up his sleigh once more for his biggest delivery night of all on Christmas Eve.)

Click here to see grotto opening times!

Choir of 1,000 Voices & Late Night Shopping

With just days to go until Christmas Day itself, one of the most wonderful nights of the year in Newbury is on Thursday 14 December when many town centre shops stay open until 8pm for you to bag a Christmas bargain and tick more items off your shopping list.

During the Late Night Shopping & Choir of 1,000 Voices evening, as has become a Newbury tradition, the town will be filled with the voices of local choirs who will be signing at different spots around the town before gathering around the magnificent Christmas tree in the Market Place to create once more a Choir of 1,000 Voices. Do go along at 7pm and join in this fantastic festive singalong!

Newbury BID will provide entertainment for all the family to enjoy during this event, with children's rides, Christmas activity workshop, roving entertainers and donkey rides, so it is going to be a spectacular, fun-filled festive evening.

And remember, Santa Claus will also be in his grotto while all this is happening on 14 December, so pop along and tell him whether you’ve been naughty or nice!

In the meantime, stay tuned to @VisitNewbury social media for all the latest event updates.

Happy Christmas countdown everyone!

Newbury welcomes the festive season in style!

Listen carefully and you might just hear those sleigh bells jingling …

Reindeer Hunt
Where’s Rudolph? Get the festive-season party started in Newbury by taking part in the fantastic Reindeer Hunt which runs (or should that be canters?) from Saturday 11 November until Sunday 19 November, giving everyone more than a week to join in the fun. All you need to do is follow the festive reindeer trail around Newbury town centre, solving the clues as you go, to be in with a chance to win a ride in Santa’s sleigh at the upcoming parade on Sunday 26 November.

Click here for further details of how to take part in the Reindeer Hunt.

Christmas Lights Switch-On & Santa Parade 
With less than a month to go before the big day, come along to Newbury Market Place on Sunday 26 November where you can meet Santa in his grotto from 11am.

There is more excitement at 12.30pm in the Market Place when there will be live entertainment on stage, including performances from local acts such as the popular Sion Whiley and Paper Houses.

As dusk falls, there will be magic in the air as the annual Santa Parade sets off from Market Street at 4.45pm and makes its way around the town and back to the Market Place, ready for the big Christmas Lights Switch-On planned for 5.20pm. Two lucky winners of the Newbury Reindeer Hunt will ride in Santa’s sleigh during the parade – if you have taken part it could be YOU!

Santa Fun Run
As we slide into December, why not be part of the biggest Santa-suited fun run that Newbury has ever seen?

The fabulous Santa Fun Run 2017 takes place on Sunday 3 December, starting in Newbury Market Place, and is fun for all ages and all levels of fitness. It is not a timed raced – as it says on the packet, it is just for fun – so if you are not a runner you can walk as much of the route as you like!

There is an adult route of 5km and a 1km route for children. The route is: Market Place, Northbrook Street, Parkway, Victoria Park and back to Market Place where the children’s race finishes, while adults continue to Northcroft, Speen, and finally return to the finish line at Market Place.

The timetable is: 10am – event opens and runners book in, followed by pre-run warm up at 10.30am; the run starts at 11am with the event ending at 12 noon.

Entry fees are: adults £15, under 18s £10, under 8s £7. All entrants will receive a Santa suit (available in various sizes and styles) and those who complete the route will receive an engraved medal.

This event is organised by Newbury Rotary Club volunteers, assisted and sponsored by Newbury BID, with profits from the entry fees going to the Rosemary Appeal, West Berkshire Therapy Centre, West Berkshire Mencap and other Rotary Club supported charities, but runners are invited to raise money for their own good causes via this event.

A maximum of 300 runners can take part so register your interest as early as possible at: https://form.jotformeu.com/72811403904349 and order your Santa suit at the same time! Suits will be available for collection at local collection sites to be advised, or from the Market Place from 10am on 3 December.

Santa’s Grotto
After he has helped switch on Newbury’s Christmas lights, Santa Claus will be back in town and in his grotto – and just longing to know what’s on your wish list – on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 December, and again from Thursday 14 until Saturday 23 December. (Then he has to nip back to the North Pole to load up his sleigh once more for his biggest delivery night of all on Christmas Eve.)

Click here for Santa's Grotto opening times!

Choir of 1, 000 Voices & Late Night Shopping 
With just days to go until Christmas Day itself, one of the most wonderful nights of the year in Newbury is on Thursday 14 December when many town centre shops stay open until 8pm for you to bag a Christmas bargain, tick more items off your shopping list and enjoy Late Night Shopping.

During the evening, as has become a Newbury tradition, the town will be filled with the voices of local choirs who will be signing at different spots around the town before gathering around the magnificent Christmas tree in the Market Place to create once more a Choir of 1,000 Voices. Do go along at 7pm and join in this fantastic festive singalong!

Newbury BID will provide entertainment for all the family to enjoy during this event, with children's rides, Christmas activity workshop, roving entertainers and donkey rides, so it is going to be a spectacular, fun-filled festive evening.

And remember, Santa Claus will also be in his grotto while all this is happening on 14 December, so pop along and tell him whether you’ve been naughty or nice!


In the meantime, stay tuned to @VisitNewbury social media for all the latest event updates.

Happy Christmas everyone!

It’s Hallo-scream! Time for Newbury’s Halloween Haunt Hunt 2017

Question: What’s a ghost’s favourite ride at the fair?

Answer: The roller ghoster!

Question: What do witches race on?

Answer: Vroomsticks!

Question: Where’s the best place to be this October half-term?

Answer: Newbury!

This year’s hauntingly happy half-term Halloween Haunt Hunt takes place Monday 23 to Saturday 28 October, and is all set to be the best one the town has ever seen!

There will be 15 cauldrons hidden around Newbury town centre, each with a clue. All you need to do is:

1.     Collect a competition entry form from: the special Halloween workshops taking place in Parkway Shopping (opposite Costa Coffee, 11am – 4pm) and the Kennet Centre 9am–5pm; David Clulow opticians in Northbrook Street, plus various local retailers (see the website for details); or online at Visit Newbury.

2.     Write your answers on the form when you have found all the clues then crack the spookily secret code.

3.     Return your completed form to one of three ballot boxes at Parkway Shopping Halloween workshop, Kennet Centre Halloween workshop or David Clulow Opticians. Closing date/time for the competition is Saturday 28 October at 5pm.

4.     Keep everything crossed that you are going to be one of the lucky winners of a brilliant prize!

Winners will be picked and announced on 6 November. Prizes to be announced on the Visit Newbury Facebook and Twitter accounts, so make sure you visit. And why not let everyone else know what fun you’ve had on Newbury’s Halloween Haunt Hunt by tagging your photos with #NbyHalloween2017.

Happy Halloween Haunt Hunting!

S-E-P-T-E-M-B-E-R in Newbury!

Give me an S! Give me an E! You know how the rest goes, but what Newbury has on offer this month is definitely worth shouting about.

S hopping
S is for shopping, and you certainly won’t be disappointed in Newbury. As you wander through the town centre you will uncover an exciting and eclectic mix of retailers, from the big names we all like visiting, to the quirky and independent shops which help make this lovely market town so unique. Parkway Shopping is a popular choice for those top brands such as; H&M, Superdry, Fatface and Top Shop - to name just four! Or step out onto the high street and discover that eclectic mix as you stroll along Northbrook Street and onto Bartholomew Street. Don’t forget to look out for Cheap Street, the historic Market Place, the highly individual Inches Yard and the tucked-away Weaver’s Walk! Fancy making some purchases undercover? Meander on to the Kennet Centre where you can indulge in retail therapy whilst being tempted by Newbury’s Vue cinema. Whilst on the topic of shopping, could it be time to style-up your wardrobe for Autumn?

E at and Drink
E is for eating and drinking and you will never go hungry or thirsty in Newbury with its wide choice of cafes, restaurants and pubs to suit all tastes and pockets. All areas of the town centre have something special to offer – whether you wish to eat in or take-away, enjoy coffee and a slice of cake to a luxurious afternoon tea, have a simple but fantastic sandwich or burger, something a little more fancy, some really good pub grub, or something more exotic with Indian, Chinese or Thai, and who doesn’t love Italian? The options are endless! Try the Flowerpot Café in Inches Yard, Weaver’s Coffee Shop in Weaver’s Walk or Panousha Baguettes in The Arcade. On top of all this don’t miss, the fantastic gastropub The Newbury in Bartholomew Street; an authentic Thai restaurant – The Art of Siam – in Northbrook Street; the 7Bone Burger Co on Bridge Street; and Bill’s, Cote Brasserie, Strada and Café Rouge – all the above come highly recommended, but still just the tip of the iceburg on what you can find in Newbury!

P addington Bear
P is for Paddington Bear and this marmalade-sandwich loving cuddly character may have first arrived from Peru at the London railway station of the same name but it is Newbury that he will be visiting on Saturday 30 September. Meet him in the Kennet Centre at 11am, 12noon, 1.30pm. 2.30pm and 3.30pm.

T he Royal County of Berkshire Show
T is for The Royal County of Berkshire Show – one of the most popular agricultural shows in the land. This year’s show takes place over the weekend of 16–17 September, 8am–6pm on both days. This is truly a festival of farming, food and fun, with a spectacular line-up of attractions and ‘have-a-go’ activities for all the family to enjoy. As well as livestock and exciting shows in the main arena, there are over 600 food, craft and shopping stands offering all sorts of things that you won’t find on the high street.

E njoy Dubai Duty Free International Weekend
E is for enjoy, and something special to enjoy this autumn is a day at Newbury Racecourse. The Dubai Duty Free International weekend on 22/23 September begins with quality flat racing early on Friday afternoon and climaxes late afternoon on the Saturday. It’s also a great opportunity to try out this award-winning racecourse’s wonderful catering, and maybe stay at the lovely on site hotel, The Lodge.

M arket – Artisan Market!
M is for markets and Newbury has several, including the very exciting Artisan Market, held on the last Sunday of the month, March– November, which this month happens on Sunday 24 September, 10am–4pm. Taking place in the town centre, this is a wonderful place to bring the family and spend time browsing the stalls of independent designer-makers, original arts and crafts, and the wares of local food producers, as well as enjoying super sizzling street food. Grab a coffee, listen to live music and let the children enjoy the activities in Kids’ Corner. Look out this month for Vintage Corner, new for September and dedicated to vintage and antique traders.

B oat Trips on the Narrowboat Jubilee
B is for boat trips and a trip along the Kennet and Avon Canal on the narrowboat Jubilee is a wonderful experience. Trips are available on three weekends this month – 2 and 3, 9 and 10, 16 and 17 September at 12 noon and 2pm, setting off from Newbury Wharf in the centre of town. Book in advance – click here for details.

E xperience Newbury Heritage Open Days 
E is for experience as you step back in time at Newbury Museum.  Explore a normally closed off part of the museum, the attic of the Cloth Hall, or pick up a specially designed trail – one available for adults and another for children – based around the historic buildings that house the museum: the Cloth Hall and Corn Stores.

R eal Ale Festival
R is for real ale and in particular Newbury’s Real Ale Festival. This popular annual event takes place at Northcroft Fields on Saturday 9 September, 12 noon until 11pm, just a short walk from the town centre. As well as wonderful ales and ciders, there is always top live music with an even more exciting and diverse line-up than ever before planned for 2017. Whilst on the topic of real ale, ciders and all beers crafty, why not pop into the town centre for a pre festival beverage at the renowned micro brewery, the Cow and Cast or the gin-tastic Catherine Wheel, where you can find almost one hundred gins to choose from? From all at Visit Newbury, have an ‘ale of a time!