Whether you’re enjoying a staycation, going away or just taking some time to chill at the weekends, we hope you’ll manage to enjoy some of the many events planned locally this summer. We honestly struggled to squeeze everything in, there’s so much on! So find a quiet moment, sit back with a cuppa and have a flick through to decide what you’d like to do this month.
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Out & About
Nicola Moody: Weaving Relations
until 6th Sept 10am - 4pm
Exhibition exploring the relationship between a line, a thread and the weaving process. Free Art + Design Gallery, University of Herts, College Lane Campus, Hatfield AL10 9AB www.herts.ac.uk
Luton Hoo Walled Garden
Open Wednesdays until 25th Sept 10.30am - 4pm
£7.50, child £2.50, under 5’s free
Guided Summer Walk 7th Aug 10am
Gentle walk of about 2 hours with beautiful views, and some historic information. £15, please book
Luton Hoo Walled Garden LU1 4LF
www.lutonhooestate.co.uk
Summer Family Fun
Giant games with a monkey memory challenge, giant marbles, snakes and ladders and lots more.
Discover the creatures lurking in the hidden depths of the waters, from tiny water fleas to mighty dragonfly nymphs, the ponds are full of amazing animals. Just turn up, £3 per kit
RSPB Rye Meads, Ware SG12 8JS
Wednesday Wander 7th Aug 11.45am
Join volunteers for an informal guided walk and see the diversity of wildlife that calls the reserve home. £6
www.events.rspb.org.uk
Waddesdon
Hamlet 1st Aug 6pm
Presented by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men as it was first seen; in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance.
£21, child £11.50
A Taste of Summer 3rd & 17th Aug 6.30pm
Enjoy a three course dinner in the Manor Restaurant inspired by the essence of summer using locally sourced ingredients. £59.95
A Midsummer Nights Dream 8th Aug
Innovative, hilarious open-air version of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy presented by the Pantaloons. £17.50, child £13.50
The Gondoliers 15th Aug 6.30pm
Set in Venice, this light-hearted operetta will take you to a world of romance, satire and comedic chaos. The witty lyrics of Gilbert and melodies of Sullivan are brought to life by Illyria Theatre. £20.50, child £11.50
The Great Vegetable Plot 18th Aug
A hilarious tale of horticultural adventure, for all ages. Free with grounds admission
Jemima Puddle Duck 22nd Aug 6.30pm
An enchanting new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale. £17.50, child £13.50
Chilli Fest 30th Aug - 1st Sept
Local artisan producers and independent traders from across the country, with live music, family fun and the chance to enjoy the gardens. £19.50, child £10.50
Waddesdon, Bucks HP18 0JH
www.waddesdon.org.uk
Stockwood Discovery Centre
Game On! The Evolution Of Video Games
2nd - 30th Aug 6pm & 7.30pm
An unforgettable exploration of the consoles and characters that have shaped entertainment across generations. £14, 18+
The Tale Of Jemima Puddle-Duck
3rd Aug 11.30am & 2.30pm
A new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale. £13.50, child £9
Stockwood Garden Party 6th - 8th Aug 11am -3pm
Family-friendly event with puppetry, nature art, suitcase theatre and garden games. Free
Artisan Craft & Food Market 11th Aug 11am - 5pm
Tape That 15th Aug 11.30am & 2pm
Acrobatics, juggling, physical theatre and a suitcase full of duct tape! Bring blankets and a picnic. £8
The Guy In The Luggage Rack
22nd Aug 1pm & 3pm
An aerial theatre show about grief, memory and relationship, combining physical comedy with striking aerial acrobatics. Bring chairs, blankets and a picnic
£10, age 8+
Day Dreamers
29th Aug 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm & 3.30pm
A hilarious interactive audio experience, inspired by children’s dreams and imaginations. £8, age 5+
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton LU1 4LX
www.culturetrust.com
More Out & About
Dunstable Downs
Big Camp 3rd & 4th Aug
Camp out overnight beneath the stars with a camp fire, marshmallows, lantern lit sunset walk, scavenger hunt, nature bingo and more. Please book, £60 per pitch for 2 adults and 3 children
Kites Connect Festival
17th & 18th Aug 10am - 5pm
A mesmerising display of kites from professional and amateur groups, workshops, fly your own kite and local produce and crafts. Free Whipsnade Road, Dunstable, Beds LU6 2GY
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
St Albans City Walks
3rd, 24th Aug 11am A Roman City Revealed
4th, 7th, 11th, 18th, 25th & 28th Aug 11.15am & 14th, 21st & 28th Aug 2.30pm Historic St Albans
4th Aug 2.30pm A Modern City Revealed
10th Aug 2.30pm St Michaels & Fishpool Street
11th Aug 2.30pm A Monastery Revealed
16th Aug 7.30pm The Pubs of St Albans
18th Aug 2.30pm Victorian St Albans
25th Aug 2.30pm Coaching Inns
31st Aug 2.30pm Explore St Peters
31st Aug 2.30pm Discover Harpenden
£6, please book online
www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk
Herts & Middlesex Wildlife Trust
Discover Hedgehogs 6th & 27th Aug 2pm
Learn about the fascinating lives of hedgehogs at this beautiful hedgehog sanctuary. £8, child £6
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary, Harpenden
Smartphone Safari 9th Aug 10.30am
Learn how to take amazing wildlife photos using your smartphone. £30, child £15
Grebe House, St Albans AL3 4SN
Dragonfly Walk 17th Aug 1.30pm £5, child £3
Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA
Bat Walk 30th Aug 7.30pm
Take a night-time walk to discover bats using a simple bat detector. £5, child £3
Panshanger Park, Hertford SG14 2NA
www.hertswildlifetrust.org.uk
Bishop’s Garden Open Days
Sundays until 11th Aug 2pm - 4pm
Dogs on leads welcome. £5, child free
Abbey Gate House, Abbey Mill Lane AL3 4HD
St Albans South Signal Box
Open Days 11th & 25th Aug 2pm - 5pm
Visit and learn about the history of the largest preserved Midland Railway signal box in the UK and one of the few boxes that's open to the public. Free, drop in Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AG
www.sigbox.co.uk
Scarecrow Festival 16th - 18th Aug
Fri: 10am - 5pm, Sat & Sun: 11am - 5pm
Flamstead Village residents create amazing scarecrows and display them in their front gardens or around the village. There is a competition for the best one, go along and vote for your favourite.
www.flamsteadscarecrowfestival.co.uk
Summer Funfair 22nd - 26th Aug
Harpenden Common www.harpenden.gov.uk
More Out & About
Charity Summer Bridge Drive
27th Aug 2pm
Continuous Chicago Bridge, afternoon tea and a raffle. St Nicholas Church Hall, Harpenden
Please bring your own cards and cloth £18, £72 per table, 01582 766824
Outdoor Theatre: The Secret Diary of Henry VIII 29th Aug 7pm
The Three Inch Fools hit the road with this mad-capped take on Britain's most epic monarch, and those infamous wives. Bring blankets, chairs and cushions. The Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate LU1 4LF www.threeinchfools.com
Earthworks Summer Fair
31st Aug 12pm - 4pm free entry Plants and crafts for sale, inclusive activities, local stalls and more. Earthworks is a St Albans based charity that offers social and therapeutic horticulture opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and other support needs in 3.5 acres of eco-gardens.
Earthworks Hixberry Lane, St Albans AL4 0TZ www.earthworksstalbans.co.uk
Classics Motor Show & Village Fete
31st Aug 12 noon - 5pm
Featuring more than 300 classic vehicles, including vintage cars, vans, motorbikes and tractors. With live music, street food, a licensed bar, children's funfair rides and a miniature railway. Suggested donation adult £3, donations go to support local charities. Redbourn Common AL3 7BU www.redbournclassics.co.uk
Afternoon Tea in August
This August why not bake a cake, pop the kettle on and invite friends and neighbours round for Afternoon Tea while raising money for those affected by breast cancer. Order your Afternoon Tea pack online today, every crumb helps fund vital breast cancer research and support services. www.breastcancer.org
Chilterns 3 Peaks 8th Sept
A family (and dog!) friendly event in the scenic Chiltern Hills, with routes from 6.5 to 18 miles, enjoy breath-taking views while raising vital funds for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care. Lace up your boots, bring your furry companions, and make every step count. £16, child £10, family £45 www.renniegrovepeace.org Redbourn Car Boot Sales
If you do not have a Will, you have no say over what happens to your assets when you die and this can cause difficulties for those you care about most.
Will Writing
Trusts
Lasting Power of Attorney
Full Probate
Please get in touch to see how we can help make sure your home and other property is inherited by your loved ones effectively.
Most Sundays & Bank Holiday Mondays Check Facebook; Redbourn Car Boot Sales for details. The Herts Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT
A great way to meet new people
No need to read music
No auditions
Not for profit
Harpenden
Salvation Army Hall AL5 2TG Wednesdays 10.45am - 12.15pm
Wheathampstead
Mead Hall AL4 8BP (free parking) Mondays 1.30pm - 3pm
Fully qualified City and Guilds
Over 25 years experience
All interior and exterior work undertaken
Specialist in all types of wallpaper
All work finished to a high professional standard
Free quotations at competitive prices
Matthew Hayden 01582 270715 01727 867660 07970 720911 mandmdecs@gmail.com mandm_decorators
We Supply & Fit Beautiful Wooden Plantation Window Shutters Specialising in Bay Windows
Free No Obligation
Consultation, Measuring & Quotation
Summer Sale
25% off Shutters
20% off all Blinds Awnings Poles & Curtains Kevin Buckler Harpenden Blinds harpendenblinds@outlook.com 01582 461639 20 Bewdley Close Harpenden
Out of Town
Discover Bucks Museum
Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery daily until 3rd Sept
Crawl along Fantastic Mr Fox’s tunnel, investigate minibeasts inside the Giant Peach, explore sound with the BFG in this fabulous hands-on gallery.
Exhibition: May The Toys Be With You
20th July - 3rd Nov
One of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original cinema posters.
Make-A-Toy - Craft Days
29th July & 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th Aug
Make a toy to take home every Monday this summer.
Out-Of-This-World - Craft Days
31st July & 7th, 14th, 21st & 28 Aug
Space-inspired crafts to celebrate the May The Toys Be With You exhibition.
Fantastic Fridays Craft Days
2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Aug
From craft to science and creative writing for children.
Retro Film & TV Quiz 3rd Aug 7pm - 10pm
Covering all genres including children’s TV, theme tunes, TV and movies from the 60s - 90s.
Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury HP20 2QP
www.discoverbucksmuseum.org
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre
Summer Steamings
24th July - 1st Sept
See a steam train in action, enjoy a ride up and down the track, take a miniature train ride, visit the Railway Museum and more.
Emergency Services Day
11th Aug 10.30am
Celebrate our Emergency Services while raising awareness for local charities. See emergency vehicles, take a steam train ride, see the model trains and more. £7, HS/Police/fire service workers free, with work ID Auto Fest 26th Aug 10.30am
Classic vehicles on display, plus all the sights and sounds of the heritage railway, unlimited steam train rides and more. £14.50, child £10.50 Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY www.bucksrailcentre.org
Bletchley Park
Summer of Cyber Mons, Weds & Fris
29th July - 30th Aug drop in 11am & 3.30pm
Find out how to keep your data safe and increase your cyber security. Programme a Lego safe. Learn how personal data on social media can be used to hack someone’s email account. Hear about biometrics and see your face mesh. Create passwords and test how secure they are. For families with children aged 7-14
Outdoor Theatre: As You Like It 4th Aug 6pm
The ancient Forest of Arden is the perfect backdrop for Shakespeare’s most famous and quotable comedy. £18,50, child £16.50
Talk: Sailors & Dogs 10th Aug 11am
Exploring the fascinating story of Y Stations, a clandestine network of wireless listening outposts operated by more than 17,000 people worldwide. £15 Summer Concert Series 12 noon & 1.30pm
3rd Aug: London Satin Dollz
10th Aug: Jazz the 2 of Us
17th Aug: Jayne Darling
24th Aug: Lissie Allsopp
31st Aug: Miss Sarah Jane
Relax in the beautiful grounds and enjoy great live music, included with admission. Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk
Drop-in to one of these handling and craft workshops, learn all about the cabinets of curiosity and make your own marvellous crafty creation. Free Roald Dahl’s Table Treasures 14th Aug 10.30am & 1.30pm
Take a close look at treasured objects from the Roald Dahl Museum. Free, drop-in
The Walter Rothschild Building, Tring HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk
Lecture Day: The Hawker Hurricane 3rd Aug 11am - 7pm
Learn the secrets of this formidable fighter with talks from historians, pilots and artists. Get up close to a Hurricane and then see one take to the skies. £100 IWM Duxford, Cambs CB22 4QR www.iwm.org.uk
Hertfordshire Zoo
Bird Weekend 3rd & 4th Aug
Join zookeepers for a fun-filled weekend and learn more about the world of birds while raising funds and awareness for Hutan, who support hornbill breeding activities in the Kinabatangan.
Reptile Weekend 10th & 11th Aug
Celebrate the reptiles at the Zoo while raising vital funds and awareness for threatened species. Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne EN10 7QA www.hertfordshirezoo.com
NOW for some Entertainment
Roman Theatre Open Air Festival until 8th Sept here’s what’s planned for August Sense & Sensibility until 18th Aug various dates £15.50 - £29.50
A contemporary makeover in this funny adaptation.
The Merchant of Venice 31st July - 3rd Aug & 6th - 11th Aug times vary £15.50 - £29.50
A modernised adaptation of this timeless tale as it meets the vibrancy of the 21st century.
Treasure Island
15th Aug 7.30pm £15.50 - £24.50
Treasure, treachery, mutiny and mayhem on this dangerous voyage.
Into the Woods 21st - 25th Aug
Stephen Sondheim’s imaginative and comical musical remix of beloved fairy tales.
Robin Hood
22nd Aug 7.30pm £15.50 - £24.50
Join Robin, Marian and the Merry Men for a hilarious take on this timeless classic.
The Cherry Orchard / Seagull 27th - 31st Aug
Blurring the lines between reality and performance, this meta-theatrical fusion of two masterpieces explores the bittersweet dance of change, the interplay between contemporary and classic, and the enduring genius of Anton Chekhov.
The Roman Theatre of Verulamium Bluehouse Hill, St Albans AL3 6AE www.ovo.org.uk
Wrest Park
Hamlet 2nd Aug doors 6.30pm, show 7.30pm
Presented by The Lord Chamberlain’s Men as it was first seen; in the open air, with an all male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance. Bring blankets and a picnic, £10 - £18
Wrest at War 17th & 18th Aug 10am - 6pm
An action-packed weekend propelling you back into wartime Britain. Experience WWI and WWII, train like a soldier and hear stories of the battlefield as you wander through the living history encampments. £21.50, child £13.10
Wrest Park, Silso MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk
Knebworth House
Have a go Archery 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd & 30th Aug
With the Green Dragon Bowmen Archery Club. Age 8+, £3 for 6 arrows
Open Air Theatre: Hamlet 4th Aug
With The Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Please bring picnics, blankets and chairs. From £11
Classic Motor Show 25th & 26th Aug
A static display and show arena hosting parades. Vehicles include saloons, sports, American, commercial, military and classic motorcycles, plus children’s entertainment, live music, hot food and shopping stalls. From £13
Open Air Theatre: Peter Pan 29th Aug
Filled with catchy music and audience interaction, this hilarious musical of the boy who never grew up promises to have everyone entertained throughout. From £11, age 4+
Live Queen Experience 30th Aug
Covering all the hits, from Bohemian Rhapsody to Under Pressure. You’ll be singing ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ all the way home. £32, child £24
Stevenage SG1 2AX
www.knebworthhouse.com
Ashridge House
Upfest Art House 4th Aug - 15th Sept
Enjoy a festival-like atmosphere as you follow the street art trail, enjoy live music, and the Art House pop-up café and bar. £12 - £17
Sunset Sessions 9th & 30th Aug 6pm
Local musicians will take to the courtyard, enjoy cocktails from The Vault and a BBQ. Just turn up Adventure Cinema gates 7pm, films 8.30pm
27th Aug Top Gun
28th Aug The Greatest Showman
29th Aug Dirty Dancing
Bring picnics, blankets and camping chairs
£16.98, child £10.41
Ashridge, Berkhamsted HP4 1NS
www.ashridgehouse.org.uk
Hatfield House
A Midsummer Night’s Dream 9th Aug 5.30pm
This hilarious adaptation sees Shakespeare’s fantastical characters brought vividly to life as you are transported to an enchanting world bursting with magic, romance and heaps of laugh-out-loud comedy. £16, child £12
Firework Champions 10th Aug 4pm
Three of the UK’s best firework companies compete with 10 minute firework displays choreographed to music followed by a huge finale display. £25, child £15
Henry V 14th Aug 7pm
Based on the events of the Hundred Years’ War, Shakespeare’s Henry V is much more than a historical documentary. It is about the merits of war, set against the moral and personal cost of conflict. £25, 10 -18 yrs £15
Classic Ibiza 17th Aug 5pm
An open-air celebration of house music, reinvented by a 32-piece orchestra, headline DJs and live vocalists. £25
Hatfield House AL9 5HX
www.hatfield-house.co.uk
Sundown Cinema
Hitchin Lavender Farm
9th Aug 8.45pm Barbie
10th Aug 2pm Migration / 8.45pm Top Gun
11th Aug 2pm Trolls
8.45pm 10 Things I Hate About You
14th Aug 11am Rio
16th Aug 8.45pm Dirty Dancing
17th Aug 2pm Sing 2 / 8.45pm Mamma Mia!
18th Aug 2pm Wonka
8.45pm Bob Marley: One Love Ickleford, Hitchin SG5 3UA
www.sundowncinema.co.uk
The Alban Arena
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie - Teen Edition
10th & 11th Aug 1.30pm & 7.30pm
Experience the inspiring story of Jamie New, a sixteen-year-old destined for drag stardom! This hilarious and heart-warming musical is all about conquering prejudice, and the power of being true to yourself. £20, student £14
The Illegal Eagles 31st Aug 7.30pm
Celebrating over 50 years since the formation of The Eagles in 1971, featuring classics including Hotel California, Desperado, Take It Easy, New Kid In Town and many more. £36.50 Civic Centre, St Albans AL1 3LD
www.alban-arena.co.uk
St Albans Organ Theatre
Mechanical Instrument Concert 11th Aug 3pm
320 Camp Road, St Albans AL1 5PE
www.stalbansorgantheatre.org.uk
Hertford Castle Open Air Cinema
16th Aug £10
Matilda the Musical gates 1.30pm, film 2pm Indiana Jones & the Dial of Destiny gates 6.30pm, film 7pm Hertford Castle, Castle Street SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk
Outdoor Theatre: Treasure Island
18th Aug 5pm
With songs, pirates and laughter, follow Jim Hawkins on his adventures. £15, child £10
Shaw's Corner, Ayot St Lawrence AL6 9BX
www.dot-productions.co.uk
Screaming Blue Murder Club
19th Aug 8pm
With acts Andy White and Joe Jacobs. The Old Town Hall Arts Centre, Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE
www.oldtownhall.co.uk
John Lawson’s Circus
23rd Aug - 1st Sept 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Featuring amazing new acts and exciting routines, this fun-filled show is a great family experience not to be missed. £8.50, family of 4 £30
Van Hage Garden Centre SG12 9RP
www.bluediamond.gg
The Prae Wood Arms
Music on the Lawn Fridays BBQ 5pm, music 6pm
23rd Aug The Throwback Duo
30th Aug The Swans
The Prae Wood Arms, St Albans AL3 6JZ
www.brunningandprice.co.uk
Music in Lydekker
24th Aug 12pm - 4pm free
With live music for a perfect summer’s afternoon, bring a picnic and deck chairs or treat yourself from the food and drink stalls. Lydekker Park, Harpenden www.harpenden.gov.uk
Merry Wives of Winsor
24th Aug 7pm
Expect silly slapstick, abundant anachronisms and memorable music nestled amongst Shakespeare’s poignant poetry as the Pantaloons put their own innovative and interactive spin on this classic comedy. Bring a picnic and something to sit on, dogs on leads welcome. £15, child £9
Shenley Park Walled Garden WD7 9DW
www.shenleypark.co.uk
Macbeth 30th Aug - 15th Sept
Open air performance in a beautiful rural setting. £18, child £14
The Living Theatre, Whitwell SG4 8BN
www.thelivingtheatrewhitwell.org
Live Event Cinema: André Rieu’s Maastricht Concert: Power of Love
31st Aug 7pm
In a concert overflowing with passion André combines classical, musicals, pop and rock. £17.50, £18.50
Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk
More Out of Town
Chiltern Open Air Museum
All events £13.64, child £10
Clash of the Queens 3rd & 4th Aug
A unique look into the lives of two cousins, Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots, who became Regent Queens … and rivals!
Terrific Tuesdays 11am - 5pm
Family crafts, activities and hands on clay modelling.
6th Aug Nature & Habitats
13th Aug Victorians
20th Aug Vikings
27th Aug Local History and Famous People
Britain At War 10th & 11th Aug
See re-enactment groups depicting different wartime periods throughout Britain's history. Visit the living history camps and see historical displays.
Victorian Weekend 17th & 18th Aug
Learn about the less savoury aspects of Victorian life in a fun, family-friendly environment with the ‘Ragged Victorians'!
Viking Raid 25th & 26th Aug
Watch Viking re-enactments and battles, enjoy games, music, storytelling and fun activities. Then watch a battle between the Vicious Vikings and the Christian forces of Wessex.
Chalfont St Peter HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk
Tewinbury Farm
Culture Woods Woodland School
7th & 14th Aug 10.30am & 1pm
Grab the kids for an unforgettable day exploring the great outdoors. Adult free, child £14
Family Festival 25th Aug 10.30am
Live music, meet the farm animals, handmade crafts, street food, carnival rides, Helter Skelter, Bungee Trampolines and more. £10, child £7 Tewinbury Farm Hotel, Welwyn AL6 0JB www.tewinbury.co.uk
Shuttleworth Collection
Summer Open Camping 8th Aug - 2nd Sept
Surrounded by beautiful countryside, the campsite is set in the grounds of Shuttleworth House. Why not stay over and enjoy an Air Show and a peaceful weekend away.
Family
Weekend 10th & 11th Aug gates 9am
With activities including a thrilling air display, outdoor cinema, flight simulators, funfair with carousel and Ferris wheel, vintage buses and more.
Proms Weekend 31st Aug - 1st Sept gates 12pm
Enjoy a weekend of two spectacular proms performances, including the new family show on Sunday featuring the Carnival of the Animals alongside a host of other entertainment for children. Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org
Herrings Green Activity Farm
& Bird of Prey Centre
Creepy Critters
10th & 11th Aug
Get close to some of our jungle friends, along with lots of family activities. £8.95 - £14.25
Children & Pets Weekend 17th & 18th Aug
Bringing children close to the animals, while giving them the understanding of owning a pet.
£8.95 - £14.25
Summer Animal Encounters
2nd & 23rd Aug 10am & 1pm
Get up close to llamas, goats, pigs, calves, sheep, donkeys, rabbits, reptiles and more. £14 - £18
Classical Evening with Birds of Prey 31st Aug 5.30pm
Flying display of Owls, Kites, Eagles and Falcons, choreographed to classical music. £18
Herrings Green Farm, Wilstead MK45 3DT www.birdsofpreycentre.co.uk
Royal Gunpowder Mills
11th & 25th Aug 11am - 4pm
Explore the historic gunpowder factory and discover the secrets of its past, with rocket-making workshops, tractor-trailer tours, railway rides and more. £15, £10 Beaulieu Drive, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY www.royalgunpowdermills.com
Capel Manor Gardens
Design & Make a Miniature Garden
13th Aug 10am, 12.30pm & 3pm
Become a garden designer and create a beautiful living oasis to take home. £13, ages 5+
British Gladiolus Society Southern Show
17th & 18th Aug 10am - 5pm
Immerse yourself in a mesmerising showcase of vibrant gladioli. Included with admission
Sprint, limbo, jump and sail your way through the 10 mini challenges at each trail point, and then head to the Mill Shop for your prize. Child £4 Jordans Mill, Broom, Beds SG18 9JX www.jordansmill.com
Shaggy’s Summer Spectacular
20th July - 1st Sept
Water Zorbing, Foam Party, Silent Disco and more. £10 - £17.25, child £10 - £16.25 Mead Open Farm, Billington, Beds LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
Summer Spectacular 20th July - 1st Sept
Enjoy a packed programme of summertime fun. Willows Activity Farm, St Albans AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com
Summer Storyboats 24th July - 28th Aug
11am, 1.30pm & 3pm Weds only
Enjoy a boat trip with stories and wildlife spotting. Ages 4-8, £6 per person, please book Frogmore Paper Mill Wharf, Apsley HP3 9RY www.frogmore-paper-mill.arttickets.org.uk
KidsFest 24th July - 1st Sept
Boogie at the main stage, sparkle at the DIY Glitter Station, blast at the Foam Party, jump around on the inflatables and lots more. Lee Valley Animal Adventure Park EN9 2EF www.leevalleyfarm.co.uk
One-day courses for students aged 13 - 17 thinking about a career with animals as keepers, zoologists or behaviourists. With practical experience and seminars, these are not 'fun' workshops, all activities will reflect true working practices of the Park. £62.50 Woburn Safari Park, Beds MK43 0TU www.woburnsafari.co.uk
Childrens Summer Workshops 10am - 12pm
1st Aug Herbs
8th Aug Fruit and vegetables
15th Aug Flowers and Seeds
Sessions for 4 - 7 and 8 - 11 years, please book £10
Standalone Farm
The Walled Garden, Luton Hoo Estate, Luton LU1 4LF www.lutonhooestate.co.uk
Creepy Critters 5th - 9th Aug
World renowned animal wrangler Mark Amey is back with a fact-filled demonstration showcasing amazing wildlife from across the globe. This fascinating show will let you get up close to lots of creepy critters. From £5
The Dragon Wagon Show 12th - 16th Aug
Come and meet the Dragon Whisperer and fantastical dragons who live in the wonderful “Wagon of Dreams” with Jellyfish Theatre. From £9
Forest School 19th - 23rd Aug
Educational forest exploration group, Down the Woods, will be back to host fun-filled forest activities, including hammocks, snail racing, digging area, elder bead necklaces and stick throwing zone, as well as a story with woodland puppets. From £4.50
Space Dome 26th - 30th Aug
Immersive Theatres, specialising in astronomy, interactive learning, entertainment and a digital 360degree exploration of space will transport your little ones into outer space with the immersive Space Dome. From £6.50
Wilbury Road, Letchworth Garden City SG6 4JN www.standalonefarm.com
The Magical Story Wish
7th Aug 1pm & 3.30pm
Dive into this fully interactive, musical, panto-style extravaganza filled with fun and games.
An exciting event for children and their bears, with entertainment, story time, activities and a teddy bears’ hospital. Bring along your picnic and don’t forget your bear! Rothamsted Park, Harpenden www.harpenden.gov.uk
Train Fun Day 10th Aug 10am - 2pm
With model railway layouts, children’s activities and crafts, bacon butties, story time and more. £1 in aid of The Haven and All We Can charities
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU
Minny Stynker 15th Aug 11am & 2pm
A story about the magic of creativity, how we reach out to each other in the darkness and together, bring the impossible to life.
Wardown House, Museum and Gallery, Beds LU2 7HA www.culturetrust.com
Family Saturdays 17th Aug 10am
Discover nature, conservation and prehistory with a morning of fun packed volunteering activities for all the family. Free, but please book Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon SG13 8NY www.celticharmony.org
Fairy Trail daily 9am - 5pm
Hunt for the fairies in the woodland. Solve the riddles, discover your fairy name, make a wish on The Wishing Chair and more. £4.25 plus admission
Church Farm, Ardeley, Stevenage SG2 7AH www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk
NOW at the Cathedral
Family Discovery Mornings: Summer 8th & 29th Aug 10am - 12.30pm
Fun filled mornings exploring the Cathedral learning about its history and the magical stories it has to tell. Ages 5 -11, children to be accompanied by an adult Making Your Mark 10th Aug 10.30am & 20th Aug 2pm
Explore the graffiti that has been scratched into the fabric of the building. Look for signatures, skeletons, discover animals, crosses and kings and the mythical beast. £10, £9, £3 Ages 4 - 16
History Alive: Meet the Medievals 10th Aug 2pm - 4pm
Hear short talks from costumed guides as they reenact characters from the medieval Abbey. Drop in Organ Concert: Andrew Lucas 11th Aug 3pm
Andrew Lucas’s final recital as Master of the Music before retiring. Free
Grounds of the Medieval Abbey 18th Aug 1.30pm
Explore the grounds of the Abbey. Free, please book, walk-ins welcome if there’s room
Queen By Candlelight
21st & 22nd Aug 7.30pm
Direct from Carnegie Hall, New York, enjoy a night of Queen Anthems with a cast of West End Singers and a live rock band. £10 - £60
The Wars of the Roses 22nd Aug 2pm
Learn about how the power struggle for the throne between the two royal houses of York and Lancaster left its mark on the fabric and people of the monastery in the 1400s and 1500s. £10, £9, £3
Bowie By Candlelight
23rd & 24th Aug 7.30pm
Featuring tribute show 'David Live', an incredible night of Bowie anthems including Let's Dance, Starman, Life on Mars, Rebel Rebel and more. £10 - £50
Organ Concert: Richard Pinel 26th Aug 1pm
With Richard Pinel (Director of Music, St Mary's, Bourne Street, London) Symphonie no. 3 in F sharp minor Louis Vierne. Free
A Tribute to Hans Zimmer & Film Favourites
Illuminated 30th & 31st Aug 7.30pm
Experience cinema's most iconic music performed by The London Film Music Orchestra with the music of Star Wars, Gladiator, Pirates of The Caribbean, Harry Potter, Inception, The Dark Knight and more. From £24.32
St Albans Cathedral AL1 1BY
www.stalbanscathedral.org
It’s Festival Time
Wild Canvas 25th July - 27th Aug
A riverside camping experience with a relaxed festival atmosphere, campfires, soulful music, food and drink, river adventures, family-friendly activities and more.
Turvey House Estate MK43 8EQ
www.wildcanvas.uk
Rock at the Castle 4th Aug
Performances by local musicians will span across three stages featuring a wide range of genres including folk, indie, rock, soul, and pop music, suitable for all the family.
Hertford Castle SG14 1HR
www.hertford.gov.uk
Jam For Freedom 8th - 11th Aug
Over 150 liberating performances, workshops and panels. Jam for Freedom are an independent movement uniting musicians and artists in defence of liberty, peace and positivity across nations.
St Albans AL2 2DY
Day £70, youth £35, 4 days £190, youth £100
www.jamforfreedom.com
At Home Farm Live
16th & 17th Aug Nick Mulvey
Traditional, experimental, acoustic and electronic. 23rd Aug Izo FitzRoy - A Good Woman
A family friendly festival with 12 stages of music, cabaret, talks, yoga, circus acts and comedy. Northampton www.shambalafestival.org
Goatfest 23rd - 25th Aug
Over 60 acts across four stages, plus a live DJ arena, a line-up featuring Showaddywaddy, The South, The Swanvesta Social Club and lots of new music from up-and-coming performers. Codicote www.goatfestuk.com
Twinwood Festival 23rd - 26th Aug
The ultimate vintage festival for music and dance. Clapham, Beds MK41 6AB
www.twinwoodevents.com
Benington Lordship Chilli Festival
24th - 26th Aug
A hugely popular family event offering a chance to buy chilli plants, products and sample foods from around the world. Over 60 pitches of the nation’s best known independent chilli traders selling everything and anything you can make with chillies - chutneys, sauces, pickles, cheese and chocolate.
Stevenage SG2 7BS
www.beningtonlordship.co.uk
Plumbing Services Ltd
We care about your small jobs too!
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see our main advert on the inside back cover
NOW at the Museums
Verulamium Museum
Exhibition: Superior: Inferior Class & Status in Roman Britain until 11th Nov
Social status was important to the Roman residents of Verulamium. Using archaeological objects and other clues, can you decide who is higher – Superior – and who is lower – Inferior – status, in this interactive exhibition.
Summer Holiday Programme
24th July - 31st Aug free with admission
Trails to explore the museum, dressing up to imagine living in Roman Verulamium, an artefact handling trolley, explorer buckets to help visitors investigate the museum, arch building and mosaic activities to imagine being a Roman craft worker.
Meet ‘Tessa Wheeler’ 1st Aug 10.45am
Tessa was a key figure in unearthing the Roman town of Verulamium. She helped manage the dig and its budget. Hear about her archaeological work excavating the site in the 1930s.
Family Painting Workshops
7th & 21st Aug 10.30am & 11.30am
Take inspiration from the stunning wall paintings of animals, birds and garlands seen decorating the houses of wealthy people living in Verulamium and create your own painting. Age 4+ £6.50
Meet Laurentius Calvus
8th, 15th & 22nd Aug 1pm
Retired from the Roman army and now living as a farmer at his villa in Verulamium, hear some of the stories from his life in Roman Britain.
Make a Roman Game
14th Aug 10.30am & 11.30am
Family clay workshops to make an object inspired by life in Roman Britain. Age 7+ £6.50
The Romans are Coming! 24th Aug
Enjoy battling in the wargame where Roman and Ancient Briton model soldiers fight over a village of roundhouses and a Roman Villa.
Drop-in, free with admission.
Make a Roman Mask
28th Aug 10.30am & 11.30am
Masks were beautifully decorated and were worn to make performances more dramatic. Craft a mini mask out of clay. Age 7+ £6.50
Mosaic Making Workshop
29th Aug 10.30am & 11.25am & 12.20pm
Work with a local artist, using professional mosaic making tools to make your creation. Age 5+ £12.50
St
St Michael’s Street, St Albans AL3 4SW
Albans Museum + Gallery
Exhibition: The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists until 8th Sept 11am - 5pm free
Visually rich and varied, this exhibition will evoke many childhood memories.
Hertfordshire Histories: Global Impact until 30th Sept
See how items from the collection reveal Hertfordshire’s connections to global consumerism. Exhibition: Passion, Determination, Vision until 3rd Nov 11am - 5pm free
See textile portraits representing the works and impact of local people including Saint Alban, Stephen Hawking, Francis Bacon, George Bernard Shaw, Michael Morpurgo, Tim Rice and more.
Summer Activities 24th July - 1st Sept free
Discover the people and places of St Albans past, with a trail, dressing up, artefact handling and explorer buckets for the children. ‘In The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists’ exhibition design your own book cover celebrating historic St Albans.
Make a Model Ladybird
6th & 27th Aug 1.45pm & 3pm
Create a model ladybird or minibeast from polymer clay. Age 5+ £7.50
Museum Minis 9th Aug 1.15pm £6.50
Story, craft activity and a treasure hunt inspired by the Ladybird exhibition and The Gingerbread Man book.
Mini Mela to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month 10th Aug
A South Asian festival, with craft activities and more. Poetry Workshops 11th Aug free
With local artist, poet and printmaker Suman Gujral. For adults and young people wanting to try poetry. Family Printing Workshop 13th Aug 1.45pm & 3pm
Design an alphabet tile inspired by the Ladybird books. Age 7+ £7.50
Craft in the Courtroom 18th Aug 2.30pm free
Bring textile projects along for a chat and crafting. Family Workshop: Childhood Toys 20th Aug 1.45pm & 3pm £6.50
Make a toy using a wooden spoon or peg. Age 4+
Secret History of Nursery Rhymes 28th Aug 7pm
A fun evening discovering many of the secret histories behind nursery rhymes. £10
St Albans Museum + Gallery AL1 3DH
Sopwell Ruins
Sopwell Nunnery was founded on this site in 1140 but in 1540, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Henry VIII granted the land to Sir Richard Lee who demolished the nunnery and built a house on its foundations. The atmospheric ruins visible today are all that remain of the Tudor mansion.
Cottonmill Lane, St Albans AL1 2BY
St Albans Clock Tower until 29th Sept
Saturday, Sunday & Bank Holidays 10.30am - 5pm
Why not climb counting the 93 steps as you go and savour the magnificent views from the top.
£2, child free St Peters Street, St Albans www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Index of Businesses
Ken Hodson
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● Upgrades of hardware and software 07974 156743 / 01582 794723 enquiries@kenhodsoncomputerservices.co.uk
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given on all Bathrooms & Kitchens supplied
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● Leaking Pipes and Overflows
● Washing Machines and Dishwashers Installed
● Free Consultation/ Quotation for all Enquiries Dean Herrington 07830 159010 01727 764217 info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk
