NewburyFest
NewburyFest represents four weeks of fabulous fun in the height of summer, running from 11 June to 23 July and celebrating all that is good about Newbury. This is the event that takes over the town centre with fun activities for all the family. Just some of the events this year include:
4 July: Independents’ Day
Many people enjoy living in or visiting a town with independent shops, restaurants and businesses, and they are an important part of our street scene here in Newbury – but they need your support! Shop Local Week (3–9 July) is an opportunity to celebrate the retailers who help to make Newbury the special town it is, and on Tuesday 4 July we will be hosting Independents’ Day (in line with American Independence Day) – a double whammy of a celebration applauding our independent businesses. Let’s hear it for the red, white and blue and proudly wave the flag for Newbury’s great independent retailers!
9 July: Day of Dance
Hosted by local Morris dancing side the Garston Gallopers, the tradition and heritage of Morris dancing is celebrated in style on this Day of Dance in Newbury town centre. The dancers and musician who make up the Gallopers will be entertaining in their distinctive outfits including colourful rag coats of purple and green. And if you think the music will be all ‘Hey Nonny No’, think again – today’s Morris Dancers perform to a whole range of tunes, including pop.
15/16 July: Jazz & Blues Festival
Everyone is excited about Newbury’s very first Jazz & Blues Festival. Taking place in the Market Place on the Saturday evening 6–10pm and on the Sunday afternoon/evening 2–8pm, this is a great event for all generations to enjoy together – and it’s FREE! Enjoy a drink or meal in one of the restaurants and bars in the area while appreciating an array of talent promised in the programme which features everything from modern and contemporary jazz through jazz/blues fusion to high-energy electric blues and more melancholic, traditional blues music that celebrates its roots.
23 July: Get Active Day
No time to be a couch potato! Hurry along to Northbrook Street on 23 July for Get Active Day, 10am–4pm, for a chance to unleash your inner ninja! This is an opportunity to try out all sorts of exciting activities, including a ninja assault course and face-to-face climbing wall. Meet members of local sports clubs and associations to find out more about what they offer to get the whole family active.
Fun and Food in the Great Outdoors
No one wants to be stuck indoors in summer, and there are lots of places in Newbury to enjoy being outside. Put together a picnic and head for:
Victoria Park in the town centre (behind Parkway) which edges onto the canal and makes a perfect picnic spot. The park offers lots of other fun too, with the boating lake, skate park, children’s playground, tennis courts … or just sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
Northcroft and Goldwell Parks, two attractive adjoining parks off Northbrook Lane which also go canal-side, ideal for walking and cycling. The parks offer a mature landscape of trees, a woodland walk, brilliant children’s play area and zip slide, and BMX facilities.
Of course you won’t need a picnic if you choose to go to one of the town centre eateries in Newbury that have tables and chairs outside – Cote Brasseries, Bill’s Restaurant, Café Rouge, Weaver’s Coffee Shop and The Newbury gastropub are just some of those that come highly recommended on Trip Advisor.
A waterside location can be very relaxing and cooling. A long drink and something tasty to eat at a pub on a hot summer’s day can really hit the spot. You might try Lock, Stock & Barrel off Northbrook Street, a pub with a truly lovely garden in a perfect canal-side spot and serving great drinks and food, or the Old Waggon & Horses in Market Place, a pub in a period building, serving tasty food and real ale.
If a waterside teashop is what you long for, look no further than the Teashop on the Canal, situated on the Wharf. It’s a great spot to watch what’s happening on the canal, with ducks, swans and boats passing by.
It’s also at the Wharf that rides on the Jubilee narrowboat start. A licensed bar, refreshments and a toilet are available on board which make it all the more comfortable. Now that really is the ideal way to enjoy the countryside on a sunny day!
Artisan Market
Who doesn’t love an outdoor market? 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. That’s another sunny summer Sunday sorted!
NewburyFest represents four weeks of fabulous fun in the height of summer, running from 11 June to 23 July and celebrating all that is good about Newbury. This is the event that takes over the town centre with fun activities for all the family. Just some of the events this year include:
4 July: Independents’ Day
Many people enjoy living in or visiting a town with independent shops, restaurants and businesses, and they are an important part of our street scene here in Newbury – but they need your support! Shop Local Week (3–9 July) is an opportunity to celebrate the retailers who help to make Newbury the special town it is, and on Tuesday 4 July we will be hosting Independents’ Day (in line with American Independence Day) – a double whammy of a celebration applauding our independent businesses. Let’s hear it for the red, white and blue and proudly wave the flag for Newbury’s great independent retailers!
9 July: Day of Dance
Hosted by local Morris dancing side the Garston Gallopers, the tradition and heritage of Morris dancing is celebrated in style on this Day of Dance in Newbury town centre. The dancers and musician who make up the Gallopers will be entertaining in their distinctive outfits including colourful rag coats of purple and green. And if you think the music will be all ‘Hey Nonny No’, think again – today’s Morris Dancers perform to a whole range of tunes, including pop.
15/16 July: Jazz & Blues Festival
Everyone is excited about Newbury’s very first Jazz & Blues Festival. Taking place in the Market Place on the Saturday evening 6–10pm and on the Sunday afternoon/evening 2–8pm, this is a great event for all generations to enjoy together – and it’s FREE! Enjoy a drink or meal in one of the restaurants and bars in the area while appreciating an array of talent promised in the programme which features everything from modern and contemporary jazz through jazz/blues fusion to high-energy electric blues and more melancholic, traditional blues music that celebrates its roots.
23 July: Get Active Day
No time to be a couch potato! Hurry along to Northbrook Street on 23 July for Get Active Day, 10am–4pm, for a chance to unleash your inner ninja! This is an opportunity to try out all sorts of exciting activities, including a ninja assault course and face-to-face climbing wall. Meet members of local sports clubs and associations to find out more about what they offer to get the whole family active.
Fun and Food in the Great Outdoors
No one wants to be stuck indoors in summer, and there are lots of places in Newbury to enjoy being outside. Put together a picnic and head for:
Victoria Park in the town centre (behind Parkway) which edges onto the canal and makes a perfect picnic spot. The park offers lots of other fun too, with the boating lake, skate park, children’s playground, tennis courts … or just sit on a bench and watch the world go by.
Northcroft and Goldwell Parks, two attractive adjoining parks off Northbrook Lane which also go canal-side, ideal for walking and cycling. The parks offer a mature landscape of trees, a woodland walk, brilliant children’s play area and zip slide, and BMX facilities.
Of course you won’t need a picnic if you choose to go to one of the town centre eateries in Newbury that have tables and chairs outside – Cote Brasseries, Bill’s Restaurant, Café Rouge, Weaver’s Coffee Shop and The Newbury gastropub are just some of those that come highly recommended on Trip Advisor.
A waterside location can be very relaxing and cooling. A long drink and something tasty to eat at a pub on a hot summer’s day can really hit the spot. You might try Lock, Stock & Barrel off Northbrook Street, a pub with a truly lovely garden in a perfect canal-side spot and serving great drinks and food, or the Old Waggon & Horses in Market Place, a pub in a period building, serving tasty food and real ale.
If a waterside teashop is what you long for, look no further than the Teashop on the Canal, situated on the Wharf. It’s a great spot to watch what’s happening on the canal, with ducks, swans and boats passing by.
It’s also at the Wharf that rides on the Jubilee narrowboat start. A licensed bar, refreshments and a toilet are available on board which make it all the more comfortable. Now that really is the ideal way to enjoy the countryside on a sunny day!
Artisan Market
Who doesn’t love an outdoor market? 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. That’s another sunny summer Sunday sorted!
