Lots to do this summer for families in our local area. See our guide to days out, family activities, summer camps and some great seasonal recipes to enjoy. And check out these special low summer bus fares in West Berkshire.
(Please click the blue text below for further information)
Events & Days Out
August Forest School
Sun 18, Thur 22, Fri 23, Mon 26 Aug & Sun 1 Sept
Crofton Beam Engines
Enjoy a fascinating day out at this historic site on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Marlborough. The engines will be in steam 27 & 28 July and 25 & 26 August.
Kids eat for just £3 all summer at Cobbs Farm Hungerford
Take the kids to The Five Bells in Wickham for a delightful treat from their special kids menu which appeals to even the pickiest of eaters.
Let them explore and play in the spacious garden while you enjoy a refreshing drink. Book the perfect family outing here.
School’s Out music and performance afternoon Sat 27 July 2pm to 6pm, The Waterside Centre, Newbury.
KidsFest Thatcham Thu 29 Aug, FREE, Thatcham.
OTTOPIA immersive art and wildlife summer holiday experience for families, 6 to 29 Aug at The Base Greenham.
Summer Camps & Kids Activities
Summer Junior Club (8 – 11yrs) Tue to Fri during August at The Waterside Centre, Newbury.
Forest School for under 11yrs, Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham.
Climbing & Paddling at The Waterside Centre, Newbury.
Pool Inflatable 2 – 3pm Weds in summer, Hungerford Leisure Centre.
Children’s Summer Art Fun at City Arts Newbury.
Summer Coding Camps at Code Ninjas in Newbury – Roblox, Minecraft, YouTube, 3D printing, stop motion animation and more.
Modern Art Workshop with Bethany Perry for 11 – 16yrs, Fri 16 Aug, Hungerford.
Letcombe Brook Beasties, Vale & Downland Museum, Wantage.
Summer Football Camp for 8 – 15 yrs, 27 to 30 Aug, East Garston.
Newbury Fun for Families this summer includes arts, sports, paddling and climbing.
Vale & Downland Museum in Wantage fun summer activities include Lego Club and crafts.
More Days Out
Didcot Railway Centre living museum and activity centre.
STEAM Museum, Swindon – kids for a quid with a paying adult.
Treasure Trails help you explore a town or village near you.
Parthian Climbing Centre, Reading & Rockstar Climbing Centre, Swindon.
Local Holiday Destinations – Savernake Forest, Cotswold Water Park, Pewsey Vale.
Family Fun & Staycations in Oxfordshire
PP Guide to Places to Visit – Our personal list of the best local places to visit all year round (check their current availability).
Summer Recipes
More Fun For Free
Free HAF Let Me Play at Willink Centre, Burghfield Common until Mon 2 Sep.
Free Summer Holiday Activites with Thatcham Youth in August – places must be pre-booked.
Summer Family Survival Guide by BBOWT Wildlife Trust
Summer of Skate across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse from 29 July to 29 Aug. Competitions, games, prizes and music. No need to book—just show up and shred!
South & Vale Holiday Activities includes football, dance & lots more.
Free HAF holiday camps at Lambourn C of E Primary School
Theale Youth Club for 11 – 16yrs, every other Mon 5pm to 6.30pm.
Fun waste and recycling activity pack for children.
Free activities at your local library in West Berkshire: visit their facebook page or event calendar here.
Ready, Set Read! Summer Reading Challenge – pick up the books from your local library.
Free Play in the Park sessions in Thatcham, Compton & Cold Ash.
Free Sports in the Park, Victoria Park, Newbury.
Five Free Ways to Entertain Your Kids – local stand-up comic Toni Kent shares her top tips on low budget parenting…
Savernake Forest – fab trails to walk and cycle, near Marlborough.
Geocaching fun for all the family
Turn a walk into an adventure for kids (even ones who don’t normally like going for walks!). What treasure will you find?
Nature Discovery Centre in Thatcham.
Splash Park in Victoria Park, Newbury – open till mid-Sept.
Wantage splash pad is open every day in the summer from 10.30am and 7pm.
Wilton Windmill – lovely site to vist & have a picnic.
Visit Pewsey Vale – beautiful countryside to explore on foot or bike.
Cook up a storm – have fun taking ofver the kitchen!
Science Fun at Home – 5 easy experiments to do (that don’t require any specialist equipment!) from Ruth at Mini Professors.
Slacklining – it’s not completely free as you need to buy your slackline but that investment will last for months as the whole family gets addicted to learning how to balance, walk and do tricks on the 10cm wide strap racheted between two trees.
