What’s On

September & October2022

All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venue before you visit in case anything has changed.

ONGOING

Beale Wildlife Park

Lower Basildon, Berkshire, RG8 9NW, bealepark.org.uk At Beale Wildlife Park, there are 160 species of animals – and families can get up close to some of their favourites. As well as animal experiences, the 40-acre park offers play areas, a narrow gauge train, cafes and beautiful gardens. Special events run in the school holidays.

Summer Barn

Cane End, Reading, RG4 9HG, Facebook: Summer Barn Private hire for children’s parties, alfresco private dining, fairylight private dining and shared hire, mother and toddlers, weekday and weekend fun on the farm.

SEPTEMBER

1 – 10 Sep Unwind Outside

Greys Court, Henley-on-Thames RG9 4PG, nationaltrust.org.uk/ greys-court A children’s trail to help children let off steam and experience calm. £2. 10am–4pm

1 – 25 Sep The Word of Peter Rabbit Storytime Trail

The Base, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk A walk-through experience where visitors will be able to immerse themselves in The Tale of Peter Rabbit. 10am–4pm

3 Sep Whitley Wood Open Day

Whitley Wood Fire Station, Reading, RG2 8FS, rbfrs.co.uk The day will include live demonstrations from crews, and guests will be able to go behind the scenes at the station. 10:30am

3 Sep Love Unites 2022

Kings Meadow, Reading, RG1 8BN, whatsonreading.com The Festival kicks with the Parade at 12pm with a full line-up of entertainment across three stages all day, along with a funfair, family area, a wide range of food, drink and market stalls. 12pm–7pm

3 Sep Alpaca Farm Open Day

Bozedown Farm, Hardwick Road, Whitchurch-on-Thames, RG8 7NU, bozedown-alpacas.co.uk Take a walk around our beautiful farm: hundreds of alpacas to see with good photo opportunities. No dogs allowed. £5pp or £15 for a family of 4. 10am –4pm

4 Sep Reading Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG Come and talk about your favourite funny stories in the month we celebrate master storyteller Roald Dahl’s birthday. Suitable for ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential via 0118 948 1747 or info@ fourbearsbooks.uk. 10am-11am

4 Sep The Great Thatcham Duck Race

The Rowbarge, Station Road, Woolhampton, RG7 5SH, rowbargewoolhampton.co.uk This year we will again be holding our hugely popular Duck Race on the Kennet and Avon Canal at The Rowbarge in Woolhampton. 10:45am–12:45pm

9, 19 and 29 Sep Toddler Time

River and Rowing Museum, Hill Meadows, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1BF, rrm.co.uk Sessions with Maddy and with Mr Toad appearing at 11am! Adults £9, under 4s free. 10am–12pm

10 and 24 Sep Peter Rabbit and Friends Storytime

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join our special Saturday morning storytelling sessions with MerryGo-Round Storytelling where the wonderful world of Peter Rabbit will be brought to life. 11am

16 and 23 Sep Pop Up Play Village

Chapel Hall, Vauxhall Drive, Woodley, Reading, RG5 4BG, bookwhen.com/ wokinghamhenleyascot We are a mobile role play village for little ones and we rotate the role play areas every week! 10:15–11:30am

17 and 18 Sep Medieval Jousting

Stonor Park, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 6HF, stonor.com Join the Knights of Royal England for an epic display of Medieval Jousting. 10am–5pm

18 Sep Reading Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG Looking at books with maps, books about maps, and creating some maps of our own. Suitable for ages 9-11. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential 0118 948 1747 or info@fourbearsbooks.uk. 10-11am

18 Sep Fobney Fun Day with Nature Nurture and Thames Water

Fobney Water Treatment Works, next to lock 105 on the Kennet and Avon Canal, Island Road, Reading, RG2 0RP, whatsonreading.com You will get the chance to meet the wild creatures living around Fobney Lock and explore the Turbine House, where Thames Water will share its plans for its restoration. Free entry. 11am – 2:30pm

Mini 4+ Junior 7+ Acting |Musical Theatre | Hip Hop |Cheer Free 2 Week Tryouts

Mini Hip Hop Mondays 4-5pm

Appear in real shows, £46.80 term

Mini Cheer Sundays 4-5pm

Take part in competitions, £50 term

Little Actors Saturday 10.30am-12pm

Appear in at least 2 shows a year! £100 term.

Junior Hip Hop Mondays 5-7.30pm

Technique classes and competition crews, £46.80-£117.00 term Youth & Junior Cheer Sundays from 5pm Take part in competitions, £125 term

Junior Theatre Company Saturday 9am-12pm OR 12pm-3pm

Appear in at least 2 shows a year! £150 term.

Wizard of Oz -Wilde Theatre, Feb '23!

info@artemis-studios.co.uk.

01344 429403. www.artemis-studios.co.uk.

www.bracknellcheer.co.uk.

FREE 2 week tryout in any class! All classes held in Bracknell. FREE and discounted holiday classes and workshops. Classes for ages 7-24 Full time FREE performing arts sixth form college. Ofsted registered. Childcare vouchers / Tax Free Childcare accepted.

18 Sep Ministry of Science: Science Saved the World

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com The UK’s favourite science team are back and more explosive than ever! 1pm

24 Sep Baby and Children’s Market

Woodford Park Leisure Centre, Haddon Drive, Woodley, Reading, RG5 4LY, babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk Lots of stalls bursting with top quality LIKE NEW and NEW baby & children’s items from birth to 8 years. £1 per adult, children free. 3pm – 4:30pm

24 Sep Dick and Dom in Da Bungalow Live

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com 20 years after the hit BBC show ‘Da Bungalow’ first burst on to our screens, quadruple Bafta award winners Dick & Dom are bringing their own special kind of mayhem live to Reading! £29. 7:30pm

30 Sep – 2 Oct Dinosaur World Live

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com Dare to experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World Live in this roarsome interactive show for all the family. £14

OCTOBER

1 – 9 Oct Henley Literary Festival

Venues: Phyllis Court Club, Kenton Theatre, Henley on Thames Town Hall, henleyliteraryfestival.co.uk Henley Literary Festival is established as one of the UK’s biggest book festivals, and it has loads of exciting events for children. Check the website for details.

2 Oct Reading Children’s Book Group

Fourbears Books, 20 Prospect Street, Caversham, Reading, RG4 8JG Pick up a poem to share with us to coincide with National Poetry Day. Suitable for ages 5-8. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Free but pre-booking essential via 0118 948 1747 or info@ fourbearsbooks.uk. 10am-11am

12 – 15 Oct Pippin

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Heir to the Frankish throne, the young Pippin is in search of the secret to true happiness and fulfilment. From £15.

15 Oct Underwater

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm Come with us on a magical journey into the deep blue sea in this beautiful dance theatre piece, created especially for babies aged 0-2 years and their parents or carers. £20 per adult and child. 11am/1pm/ 3pm

15 and 16 Oct The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Dive into Eric Carle’s bright and colourful world as his beloved stories are transformed from page to stage using a menagerie of 75 lovable puppets and charming music. 1pm/4pm

16 Oct Apple Day

Nature Discovery Centre, Muddy Lane, Lower Way, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre Activities include apple crafts, children’s activities, storytelling sessions, community stalls, Morris Dancers and local choirs.

16 Oct The Very Hungry Caterpillar Workshop

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Make yourself a butterfly friend and take it along to the show! £6 per group (up to 4 people) 10am/1pm

16 Oct Sing-a-long-a Encanto

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com From the producers of Sing-aLong-a Sound of Music and Singa-Long-a Frozen, the smash hit film musical of 2021 about the Family Madigral with lyrics on screen that everyone can’t stop singing. 1pm

19 Oct Phase One Theatre present Rise and Fall

South Street Arts Centre, 21 South Street, Reading, RG1 4QU, whatsonreading.com In Rise and Fall you’ll meet all manner of balloons from small floating moons to vast bouncing orbs. £9.50 11:30am

HALF TERM

22 – 30 Oct Halloween Festival

Odds Farm Park Wooburn Common, High Wycombe, HP10 0LX, oddsfarm.co.uk Head to our Pumpkin Patch this Half Term and to pick your own pumpkin ready to carve – plus other Spooky Surprises! 9:30am–5:30pm

22 – 30 Oct Hallo’Welly’Ween

Wellington Country Park, Odiham Road, Riseley, RG7 1SP, wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk Join us this October half term for our biggest, friendliest spooktacular family fun Halloween week!

24 Oct Little Red Riding Hood

Arlington Arts Centre, Newbury, RG14 3BQ, Arlington-arts.com A wolf in granny’s clothing knows all about what fun dressing-up can be, and in Little Red Riding Hood our magical wardrobe opens its doors to a fantastic display of gorgeous garments. 3pm

24, 25, 26 Oct Spooktacular Fairground Foray

Venues: Sonning Common Village Hall, The Heights Primary School, The Story Museum, Badgemore Primary School, masterbuildersclub.co.uk Join us on our brick or treat Halloween adventure and help solve the mystery with all the fun of the fair and 1000’s of LEGO bricks. £16

24 – 27 Oct Half Term Art Club

The Base, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk Join our art club to experiment with different art techniques and creative projects! 10am–12pm

24 – 30 Oct Magical Merlin

The Fortune Theatre, Covent Garden, London WC2B 5HH, atgtickets.com In Ancient Britain, Magical Merlin is the most miraculous wizard ever. So when the baby. King Arthur is born and jealous older sister, Morgan Le Fay, starts turning people into animals, it’s down to Merlin to save the day. Suitable for 4-10 year olds.

25 Oct The Naughty Fox

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm Snuggle up in a magical den with comfy creatures - Honk, Splash and TaWit TaWoo - as they teach The Naughty Fox a very important lesson: it’s better to share. 11:30am/2pm

25 Oct The Bubble Show

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk Join Mr. Bubbles with his extraordinary soap bubbles in all shapes and sizes! From £12. 2pm

25 Oct Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science

South Hill Park, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk Science and silliness abound for ages seven to 107. £13.50, family of 4 £45. 2pm

25 Oct Pop Princesses

The Hexagon, Queen’s Walk, Reading, RG1 7UA, whatsonreading.com A musical spectacular starring four fabulous Fairy tale Princesses who just love to sing! £19.50. 1pm

25 – 27 Oct Batty About Bats Nature Trail

Thatcham Discovery Centre, Thatcham, RG19 3FU, bbowt.org.uk/explore/visitorcentres/nature-discovery-centre Join us for a spooky Halloweenthemed trail through our nature reserve. £5 per child. 10am–2pm

26 Oct Christopher Nibble

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk The guinea pigs of Dandeville love munching dandelion leaves so much that slowly but surely dandelions are disappearing from all over town. From £12. 2pm

26 Oct Nick Sharratt’s Halloween Drawalong

South Hill Park, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk He’ll be sketching gently spooky characters from a selection of his fun-filled picture books, including the hugely popular You Choose’, Shark in the Park’ and ‘Pants’ series. £13.50, family of 4 £45. 2pm

26 and 27 Oct Spy Monkey

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm A new comedy dance film featuring popular characters from the Indian epic, the Ramayana, including interaction with the cast – live! 11:30am/2pm

27 Oct The Dinosaur Show Tour 2022

South Hill Park, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk Join Hunter and Shelly as they step back 65 million years on their mission to rediscover the Lost Kingdom of the Dinosaurs. £15. 12pm

27 Oct – 5 Nov The Sleeping Sword

Watermill Theatre, Bagnor, Newbury RG20 8AE, watermill.org.uk Meet Ben Bundle. He likes fishing and snorkelling, jumping off rocks and exploring the magical island of Bryher with his friends. From £10

28 Oct Fireman Sam

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com When all of his friends go away, Norman Price decides to find adventure in Pontypandy and become the star of a visiting circus. 12pm/3:30pm

28 Oct The Greatest Magician

Kenton Theatre, New Street, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 2BP, kentontheatre.co.uk A DAZZLING new MAGIC SHOW presented by the magician most famous for jamming the BBC switchboards after he correctly predicted the lottery. £23.50. 7:30pm

29 Oct Children Screen Print a Halloween T-Shirt

The Base, Greenham Business Park, Greenham, RG19 6AB, thebasegreenham.co.uk Join Berkshire Printmakers to create your own original ‘spooky’ tshirt design to scare your friends when Trick or Treating. £24. 10am–12pm

29 Oct Spooky Concertini with Johnny and the Raindrops

Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead, SL6 4PF, Norden.farm The band’s jump-up-and-downrocking-and-rolling-can’t-sit-downbest-time-ever music is brought to life with a whole heap of help from the audience. 11:30am / 2pm

29 Oct The Dark

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Join Laszlo on his journey to meet the dark, and find out why it will never bother him again. 1pm (touch tour)/2pm/4pm

29 Oct The Amazing Bubble Man

South Hill Park, Ringmead, Bracknell, RG12 7PA, southhillpark.org.uk Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. £16.50, under 16s £14.50. 2pm

30 Oct Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science

Corn Exchange Newbury, Market Place, Newbury, RG14 5BD, cornexchangenew.com Morgan & West present captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics, and bonkers biology in this fun for all the family science extravaganza! 2pm