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What's on in September and October in North Hampshire
Your essential guide to family events this September & October. We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print. If you would like to include your event in our next issue email it to events@familieshampshirenorth.co.uk by 4 October.
This year, Heritage Open Days is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be the biggest and most diverse to date.
Running from 13 - 22 September, this annual celebration of England’s history and culture, allows visitors FREE access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee.
Nationwide there will be hundreds of FREE interactive activities for children, including dressing up, crafting, woodland walks and railway rides. With a theme of ‘People Power,’ this year’s festival will offer visitors more opportunities than ever to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside.
Co-ordinated nationally by the National Trust with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery, the celebration brings together thousands of organisations and properties across England.
For local events visit, www.heritageopendays.org.uk
Here is our pick of local Heritage Open Days
Throughout September Rhymetime Basingstoke Discovery Centre Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS Thirty minutes of songs, rhymes, rhythm and actions to get your little one moving and singing! 11.30am. Various dates. These events also run at all libraries across North Hampshire. Visit www.hants.gov.uk/libraries for more information.
Throughout September Storytime Basingstoke Discovery Centre Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS Thirty minutes of storytelling every Friday morning at 10.30am. These events also run at all libraries across North Hampshire. Visit www.hants.gov.uk/libraries for more information.
Until 8 September We’ll Meet Again Milestones Museum Basingstoke Experience life on the home front in WWII from the Blitz through to VE day at Milestones. Daily from 10.30am – 3.30pm.
Until 29 September Geocaching The Vyne Basingstoke RG24 9HL Until 29 September, intrepid explorers can enjoy geocaching in Morgaston Woods while in the gardens, young adventurers can find 10 signs featuring riddles about toys on the Victorian children’s play trail. In the house, all ages can hunt for 18th-century motifs on the Tapestry house trail or dress up like a Victorian in the Housekeeper’s Room. From 30 September-29 November, the Tormore house trail explores the tale of Second World War evacuees who made The Vyne their home. Normal admission.
7 September Open Morning Highfield & Brookham Schools Liphook, GU30 7LQ Highfield and Brookham offer an exceptional all-round education for girls and boys aged 3-13. Find out more at their open morning from 10am – 12noon.
14 September – 13 October Curious Combustions Winchester Science Centre Winchester SO21 1HZ Discover Curious Combustions at Winchester Science Centre every weekend from 14 September – 13 October. Ignite inquisitive minds with an explosive live show exploring the fascinating science behind combustion, and fun hands-on activities in the Invention Studio. Learn why and how combustion occurs, as we discover what makes up an explosion, with plenty of exciting demonstrations along the way! Admission: £13.20 per person (with donation), including live science show and Invention Studio activities. Planetarium tickets sold separately.
14 September Rushmoor Food Festival West End Centre Aldershot, GU11 3JD A celebration of food, music, craft and wellbeing in a bigger and better Rushmoor Food Festival, 11.30am -3.30pm, at Municipal Gardens.
14 – 15 September In the Night Garden Live Anvil Arts Basingstoke, RG21 7QR Igglepiggle, Upsy Daisy, Makka Pakka and friends are back in their brand new live show Igglepiggle’s Busy Day! Various times. £19.50; Under 16s £17.50. call the box office on 01256 844244 to book.
14 September Alton Quaker Meeting House Alton, GU34 2 DA Free entry. 10am - 4pm.
14 September The Vyne Basingstoke RG24 9HL Free entry. 10am - 5pm.
17, 19 & 22 September Chawton House Costume Tour Chawton House Alton, GU34 1SJ Unlock the secrets of Chawton House with a costumed tour. Specific times. Booking required.
19 September Gilbert Whites House Selborne, GU34 3JH Free entry. 10.30am - 5pm.
14 September – 12 October Fairground at Night Hollycombe Steam in the Country, Liphook, GU30 7LP Step back in time to experience the magical nature of Hollycombe’s Edwardian fairground as the sights, sounds and smells all come alive as darkness falls. 7-10pm.
15 September Dog Show Gilbert Whites House Selborne, GU34 3JH Join their annual fun dog show. With novelty classes, fun classes, obstacle courses and fastest recall. Free entry. 10.30am.
20 September Roller Disco The Harlington Fleet, GU51 4BY Roller disco fun from Disco Skate Events for all ages. 6pm–9pm. £5 per person.
19 September Making the Museum: Celebrating Jane Austen’s House at 70! Jane Austen’s House Alton, GU34 1SD Pre booking required. Talk 2.30pm.
21 September Heritage Open Day Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB A fun day of behind-the-scenes tours, demonstrations, fun craft activities and more! 11am–4pm. Free 21 & 22 September The Watercress Line Alresford, SO24 9JG Explore behind the scenes at the engineering hub at Ropley. Select times. Tours are free. Normal fees for train travel.
of owls. Watch these mystical birds twist and turn through the night sky. Weekend evenings throughout the autumn. 7pm.
22 September Antique, Vintage, Craft & Gift Fair Chawton House Chawton, GU34 1SJ There will be up to 30 stalls inside and outside offering a plethora of interesting and unusual items for purchase.
27 September Farm Day Highfield & Brookham Schools Liphook, GU30 7LQ A hands-on educational and recreational farm experience morning for children aged 2+. Book your free place at highfieldandbrookham.co.uk/farm visit. Free. 10am – 12noon.
Throughout October Rhymetime Basingstoke Discovery Centre Basingstoke, RG21 7LS Thirty minutes of songs, rhymes, rhythm and actions to get your little one moving and singing!
Throughout October Storytime Basingstoke Discovery Centre Festival Place, Basingstoke, RG21 7LS Thirty minutes of storytelling every Friday morning at 10.30am. These events also run at all libraries across North Hampshire. Visit www.hants.gov.uk/libraries for more information.
4,12 & 19 October Owls by Moonlight Hawk Conservancy Andover SP11 8DY Step into the magical world of owls. 7pm.
4 – 6 October The Gruffalo Live The Haymarket Basingstoke RG21 7NW Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. 10.30am & 1pm. £15.50. call the box office on 01256 844244 to book.
5 October Meet Pinkfong and Baby Shark The Entertainer, Festival Place Basingstoke, RG21 7BA The Entertainer, we have loads of free events and kids’ activities for children of all ages. Meet Pinkfong and Baby Shark and have fun.
5 October – 4 November Happy Halloween Paultons Park Ower, SO51 6AL Happy Halloween at Paultons Park is the friendliest, most frightful fun fest and new for 2019 and for the very first time, Peppa Pig World will be transformed for this year’s fang-tastic festivities! Meet Peppa and George in their spooky outfits and enjoy lots of fun Peppa themed Halloween decorations. The Big Boo Barn will have some ghoulishly delightful farmyard fun.
6 October Learning to Grow Wyevale Garden Centres Locations across Hampshire An educational planting activity, get your Little Diggers planting and learning! Each month they will be picking a fruit or vegetable to talk about. Ages 3+. 10.30am & 11.15am. Free.
19 October – 10 November Incredible Inventions Winchester Science Centre Winchester SO21 1HZ Explore the greatest inventions through the ages and learn how they have transformed the world we live in today. Unleash your imagination as you discover super smart machines and glorious gadgets in an epic live science show. Encourage your little ones to think big with fun hands-on activities and challenges in the Invention Studio. £13.20 per person (with donation), including live science show and Invention Studio activities.
29 October Bows & Bunny Ears The Haymarket Basingstoke RG21 7NW A Tribute to Ariana Grande & JoJo Siwa in one fantastic show. 7pm. £17, Family ticket £56.
9 October Dig! The Lights Andover, SP10 1AH A play for babies and young toddlers! Come and join us for music, singing and story – and stay to play amongst the plants in the garden we’ve created. Running Time: 30 mins + 15 mins stay. 10am, 11.30am & 1.30pm.
18 October Roller Disco The Harlington Fleet, GU51 4BY Roller disco fun from Disco Skate Events for all ages. 6–9pm. £5.
30 October Nick Sharratts Right Royal Drawalong West End Centre Aldershot, GU11 3JD A family-friendly, fun filled draw along for all ages. £10. 2pm.
30 October Family Fun: Wonderful William Walker Winchester Cathedral Winchester, SO23 9LS Pick up a free trail from the Entrance Desk and follow it around the Cathedral. End the trail at the craft table for crafts, colouring and fun worksheets.
31 October – 2 November The Gruffalo, The Witch and The Warthog with Julia Donaldson Theatre Royal Winchester Winchester, SO23 8SB The UK’s best-selling author Julia Donaldson presents a show featuring Room on the Broom, The Magic Paintbrush, The Ugly Five, Superworm, The Gruffalo and The Cook and the King. The cast of five, including Julia’s guitar-playing husband Malcolm, bring Julia’s stories to life with songs, puppetry and a touch of magic. £18.
HOLIDAY CLUBS
Jubilee Jets Holiday Club School Road, Padworth, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 4JA www.jubileejets.co.uk Open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm during school holidays. Children in reception to 11 years old can enjoy a range of fantastic activities led by a caring and dedicated team.
Jubilee Cadets Woodland Holiday Club Rag Hill, Padworth, Reading, Berkshire, RG7 www.jubileecadets.co.uk Open Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm during school holidays giving children 5–11 years the freedom to play in the natural world.
CURIOUS COMBUSTIONS Weekends: 14 Sept - 13 Oct
The Vyne We've got family fun wrapped up this autumn, with woodland walks, birdwatching and Pooh Sticks.
