Out & About

St Albans Museum + Gallery

Time for Tea until 5th Nov

Exploring the fascinating journey of tea from leaf to cup. With 36 billion cups consumed a year in the UK, 3,000 varieties available and tea being the second most popular drink only to water, it is firmly entrenched in British culture. Taking you through what tea is, how it comes to the UK, is packaged, stored, made, and then drunk from different vessels. There will be lots of activities including talks, creative workshops and a Georgian Costume Ball on 26th August.

Museum Minis 10th July 11.30, 1pm & 2pm

Enjoy a tea-themed story, craft activities and a treasure hunt. The stories are Pass the Jam, Jim! by Kaye Umansky and The Tiger Who Came to Tea by Judith Kerr. £5, ages 2-4

Talk: Spilling the Tea: A History of Protest and Change 20th July the Museum will be open for you to explore from 6.30pm

From the suffragettes to the abolition of slavery, British history is full of examples of how tea and its culture have played a significant role in protest movements and social change. Discover how the nation’s favourite drink repeatedly influenced the course of our history. £10, online £6

St Peter’s Street AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk

Bishop of St Albans

Summer Garden Opening

Sundays until 6th Aug 2pm - 4pm

Dogs welcome on leads. £4, child free

Abbey Gate House AL3 4HD

National Garden Scheme

2 Barlings Road Harpenden AL5 2AN

30th June & 1st July 5pm - 8pm

A haven of privacy and peace with mature trees, shrubs, climbers and perennials giving year-round structure and colour. £5

14 Watling Street St Albans AL1 2PX

14th July 6pm - 9pm

A vibrant garden with perennials, striking foliage including Chinese rice-paper plants, foxglove trees, chusan palms, cardoons, echium and honey flowers. Ending in a glade of bamboo shaded by maple trees. £4 www.ngs.org.uk

Summer Fair 1st July 12 noon - 4pm

All the fun of the fair with a crockery smash, coconut shy, candy floss, BBQ, laser tag, toys, books, vintage/bric-a-brac, crafts and more.

St George's School, Harpenden AL5 4TD

OakFest 1st July

A summer festival like no other, with live music from supergroup Boyz on Block featuring Shane Lynch (Boyzone), Abz (Five), Ben (Phats & Small) and Bradley (S Club 7). Plus BBC’s Bluey, a funfair, bar, food stalls, DJ and more.

Oaklands College, Smallford Campus AL4 0JA www.oaklands.ac.uk

Highfield Park

Family Solstice Guided Walk 1st July 2pm

Learn about different habitats and wildlife and get to experience some mindful moments. £5

The Mikado 9th July 3pm

With a fresh take on a well-loved story, sing along on this hilarious journey. £6 - £22

Bat Night 14th July 10.15pm

Go out into the night with bat detectors to listen to and identify the bats who live in the park. £5

Forest School 25th July 10am free

Den building, bug hunting and learning about nature and bush craft. Ages 4 - 11, please book Highfield Park, St Albans AL4 0DY www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk

Hitchin Festival 1st - 30th July

A celebration of arts and culture with concerts, talks, walks, shows and more. www.hitchinfestival.co.uk

Sustainable St Albans

Open Food Gardens

Visit local gardens and pick up tips about growing food and plants, or share your own ideas. Free

2nd July 3pm - 5pm

23 Gresford Cl, St Albans AL4 0UB

15th July 2pm - 4pm

11 Woodvale Park, Sutton Rd, St Albans

16th July 1pm - 4pm

Russell Avenue Incredible Edible Come and Grow (suitable for wheelchair users)

29th July 2pm - 4pm

2 Cowper Rd, Harpenden AL5 5NG

Guided Walk: Our Planet Our Future: Exploring Batford Springs

11th July 7.30pm

Hear about the green space development plans and activity at Batford Springs, followed by discussions at the Amble Inn, Station Road. Please book, meet at Volunteers HQ Building, 32 Lower Luton Road AL5 5AQ www.sustainablestalbans.org