This month you’ll find the magazines are packed with things to do and places to go, from Easter Trails, Egg Hunts and a Dragon Quest to Music by Candlelight at the Cathedral, English Civil War Weekend and the Medieval Tournament at the Chiltern Open air Museum. To make sure you don’t miss out the magazines are available to read on-line every month. If you run your own business we‘d love to include you it’s so easy, just book your space online today.
Jane & Wendy @theNOWmagazines
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NOW for the Kids
The Hedgehog Walk 31st March - 13th April
Are you and your little ones ready to make a difference for wildlife? Why not take on the challenge of walking 3km while fundraising for wildlife along the way. With the support of Aardman and your favourite Timmy Time characters. Sign up to get your fundraising pack, including posters, factsheets and activity sheets. www.wildlifetrusts.org/hedgehog-walk
Easter Egg Hunt 1st - 25th April 9.30am - 4pm
Make your way along the trail and explore the beautiful gardens. £3.50 which includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a chocolate egg.
4th, 11th, 18th & 25th April 10am, 11am, 2pm & 3pm under 5's
Enjoy some hands-on play themed around milling, baking and rivers. Includes a Mill Tour and refreshments £6, child £2
The Watermill, Mill Green, Hatfield AL9 5PD www.millgreenmuseum.co.uk
Easter Eggstravaganza 5th - 21st April
An egg-cellent day of family fun including an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Grotto, Easter arts and crafts, Easter bunnies, pig racing and lamb bottle feeding demonstrations, there is something for every-bunny! Willows Activity Farm, Coursers Road AL4 0PF www.willowsactivityfarm.com
Easter Eggstravaganza 5th - 21st April
Visit the newborn animals, meet the Easter Bunny and Winnie the Pooh, enjoy Easter shows, jump on the bouncy castle, see the pigs and cows being fed, join
the Easter Egg hunt, lamb bottle feeding and more. From £6.95, additional cost for some activities
Aldenham Country Park Farm, Elstree WD6 3BA www.aldenhamcountrypark.co.uk
Easter Circus 5th - 21st April
Watch aerial acts, crazy stunts and Mr Slinky in this renowned circus of international acts. Plus activities including bottle feeding lambs, egg collecting and an Easter trail. From £18.35
Mead Open Farm Billington LU7 9JH www.meadopenfarm.co.uk
Easter Bunny Hunt
9th April 10.30am - 2.30pm £6
Collect your quiz sheet from the Visitor Centre then explore the Park to find the answers and claim your prize. No need to book www.highfieldparktrust.co.uk
Easter Dragon Quest
10th - 18th April 10am - 4pm £15
With a Dragon Easter Egg Hunt in the forest, make a clay Dragon Easter Egg, practice your aim in the hunting zone, build a woodland shelter and see the friction fire lighting display.
Raising money for Harpenden Academy. Harpenden Common www.foha.co.uk
Out & About
Valuation Days Wednesdays 10am - 1pm
Discover the worth of your valuables, with Hansons Auctioneers who will provide a free valuation of antiques, art, jewellery, coins, militaria and more. Burston Garden Centre, St Albans AL2 2DS www.burston.co.uk
Tulip Fields 28th March - 5th May
Dates depend on flowering times of the tulips. With over 100 varieties, the fields transform into a rolling kaleidoscope of colour. Each variety showcases its own burst of colour, shape and size. Tulleys Tulip Fields, St Albans AL4 0PF www.tulipfields.co.uk
Stitch Your Story Workshop
1st April 1pm - 3pm, free
Join artist and poet Suman Gujral for a workshop combining storytelling and textile art, hear about her creative practice and how family history has inspired her work, then create a unique piece of textile with her guidance. No experience necessary. Please book UH Arts, Art + Design Gallery Café, Hatfield AL10 9AB www.uharts.co.uk
Dunstable Downs
Ramblers Wellbeing Walks 3rd & 17th April 1pm
Walking at a gentle pace for 60-90 minutes, with plenty of pauses along the way, each session will vary, depending upon the landscape and weather on the day. Meet at the Visitor Centre courtyard. Free, to book call 07773 720098
Dunstable’s Medieval Past 4th April 11am
Hundreds of armoured knights once clashed in spectacular mock battles on Dunstable Downs, one of medieval England’s main tournament centres. This engaging session features storytelling and illustrations, giving children a glimpse into the world of medieval knights. Why not take part in your own Knights' Tournament at the Downs. Free, to book call 0344 249 1895
Easter Egg Hunt at Knights' Tournament 5th - 21st April 10am - 5pm (last entry 4pm)
The year is 1232, and Henry III has called for knights
and nobles to gather for an Easter tournament on the Downs. Your efforts will be rewarded with a chocolate egg. £3.50 includes a trail sheet, bunny ears and chocolate egg
Art Course: Introduction to Watercolour 22nd April 3.30pm - 8.30pm
Perfect for those new to watercolour painting, teacher, Liddy, will guide you through the techniques and help you create beautiful piece of art work. £47.50
The gardens, park, adventure playground and dinosaur trail will be open daily. £14
Easter Quest 18th - 21st April
Embark on a thrilling quest through the Gardens to find hidden eggs, solve riddles and complete exciting challenges that lead you to an Easter prize. Gardens & park entry £14, trail sheet £3
Easter Sunday Lunch 20th April
A delicious lunch in Knebworth Barns. Includes access to the gardens, park, adventure playground and dinosaur trail. £45, child £22.50
Each day offers a new experience with an Easter egg hunt, planting seeds and learning about springtime gardening, chocolate egg decorating workshops and crafting a wooden bunny.
The Aston Martin Owners Club
21st April 11am - 5pm
The Aston Martin and Ferrari Owners Clubs will be displaying their wonderful collection of cars. Free with grounds admission
Hatfield AL9 5HX www.hatfield-house.co.uk
St Albans City Walks
Crime & Punishment 5th April 2.30pm
The Pubs of St Albans 6th April 2.30pm
Historic St Albans 6th,13th, 20th, 21st & 27th April
11.15am & 30th April 2.30pm
Medieval Life 12th April 2.30pm
St Michaels & Fishpool St 13th April 2.30pm
Tudor St Albans Revealed 18th April 2.30pm
Roman City Revealed 19th April 11am
Discover Harpenden 19th April 2.30pm
Wars of the Roses 20th April 2.30pm
Discover Redbourn 26th April 2pm
A Monastery Revealed 26th April 2.30pm
Coaching Inns 27th April 2.30pm
Tickets £6, please book www.stalbanstourguides.co.uk/calendar
Alaskan Brown Bear Feeding her Young by Ali Asplin
Formerly Lanwarne Landscapes, only the name has changed
More Out & About
National Garden Scheme
Open Gardens
NGS donate garden entry fees to some of the UK's best known nursing and health charities.
St Paul's Walden Bury 6th April 2pm - 6pm
This was the childhood home of the late Queen Mother with a spectacular formal woodland garden, Grade I listed, laid out in 1720, covering over 50 acres. Long rides lined with beech hedges lead to temples, statues, a lake and a terraced theatre. Dogs on leads welcome. £8, child free Whitwell, Hitchin SG4 8BP
Ashridge House 27th April 10am - 5pm
Enjoy a spectacular day at these Grade II gardens. Wander through the historic 'Garden of Gardens', browse garden stalls, with plants available to purchase, and much more. £7.50, child free Berkhamsted HP4 1NS
Pie Corner 27th April 2pm - 5pm
Formal borders, a pond, views across a large lawn with wildflowers to the valley beyond, woodland and vegetable garden. Enjoy blossom, tulips, wild garlic, bluebells and rhododendron in late spring. £6 Millhouse Lane, Bedmond WD5 0SG www.ngs.org.uk
Easter Eggstravaganza
12th April 1pm - 5pm
A fun filled family day out with a free outdoor Easter movie at 3pm, face painting, Easter arts & crafts and a nature scavenger hunt.
The Three Horseshoes, Hatfield Road AL4 0HP
St Albans South Signal Box Open Days
13th & 27th April 2pm - 5pm
Visit the largest preserved Midland Railway signal box in the UK open to the public and next to a main line railway. See signalling demonstrations, operate working signals, a point and more. Free 5 Ridgmont Road, St Albans AL1 3AJ www.sigbox.co.uk
Spring Open Day 16th April 10.30am - 1pm
Enjoy some crafty fun with a garden theme, hunt the bunnies, plant a seed and blow away the cobwebs in the wonderful Walled Garden. £3, child £5
Luton Hoo Walled Garden LU1 4LF
www.lutonhooestate.co.uk
Shaw's Corner
Easter Egg Hunt: Bugs Life
17th - 21st April 10am - 12.30pm
Bugs are great for the garden, but cause mischief in historic houses! Enjoy learning about the bugs that call Shaw’s Corner home and help put them back where they belong on this Easter garden trail. £3.50 includes an Easter trail sheet, bunny ears and a chocolate egg. Please book
Garden Tour: Blossom Watch 26th April 5.30pm
Take a tour of the orchard with Senior Gardener, Matt, enjoy behind the scenes access to upcoming highlights and hear stories, tips and tricks for a ‘blooming’ beautiful spring garden. Q&A session £15
Shaw's Corner, Bibbs Hall Lane, Welwyn AL6 9BX www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Harpenden Photographic Society
Exhibition 26th April 10am - 4.30pm
Featuring work from local photographers, with images including landscapes, macro, street, abstracts and the natural world. There’s something for all tastes, with numerous award-winning images on display, including many taken in and around Harpenden. See photos from the exhibition above and on previous page.
High Street Methodist Church, Harpenden AL5 2RU www.harpendenphotographicsociety.co.uk
Inflatable 5k Obstacle Run
26th April 9am - 2.30pm 2.5k, 5k, 10k & 15k runs Get ready to bounce your way through the inflatable 5k obstacle course, as you jump, slide and bounce your way to the finish line. Early bird tickets £28.50£53.50, child £23.50 - £48.50
Herts County Showground, Redbourn AL3 7PT www.ukrunningevents.co.uk
Repair Fair - Sustainable St Albans
26th April 2pm - 5pm
The St Albans District Fixers can help repair household fabrics and electrical items you might otherwise throw away. The team of skilled amateur fixers will do their best to put them right or offer advice. Please book United Church, Wheathampstead AL4 8AG www.sustainablestalbans.org
Summerton Whisky Festival 17th May
Explore a world of incredible whisky and discover new favourites. See front cover
The Lower Red Lion, Fishpool Street, St Albans
Robin on Reed by Mark Field Male Cheetah by Malcolm Jenkins
Grey Seal by Marianne Lloyd
NOW for some Entertainment
Live Cinema
Billy Elliot The Musical Live 20th Anniversary 30th March 2pm & 2nd April 7pm £15
Royal Ballet & Opera: Turandot 1st April 7.15pm & 6th April 2pm £20.50 , £22.60
Six: The Musical! 6th 8th 11th 13th 16th April
This show tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, who step out of the shadow of their infamous husband and reclaim their own narratives. £18.50
Andre Rieu's 75th Birthday: The Dream Continues
12th April 7.30pm & 13th April 12 noon £17.50
Featuring a selection of André's most spectacular performances, with some of the finest moments he and his orchestra have shared together. Campus West, Welwyn Garden City AL8 6BX www.campuswest.co.uk
Radlett Centre
Psychic Sally 1st & 2nd April 7.30pm £30.50
Sally will have you on the edge of your seat, as shebrings mediumship into the 21st century. Take your seats, relax, be open minded and ready to come forward if you think the message is for you!
Taylor Swift Tribute by Xenna 16th April 7pm £24
You will be transported to Taylor's world as you sing along to timeless classics like Love Story, Blank Space and Shake It Off. With stunning replica costume changes, this is the ultimate homage to one of the biggest stars in the world.
One Night in Dublin 25th April 7.30pm £26.50
The ultimate feel-good Irish music tribute show, Middi and his award-winning band cover favourite sing-along Irish classics including Galway Girl, The Irish Rover, Dirty Old Town, The Wild Rover and more. Milkshake! Live
26th April 11am & 2.30pm £19, £18 Age 3-7
Pack your bags and jump aboard the Milkshake! train as we go on an all singing, all dancing holiday together, it’s a family show not to be missed.
The Elmer Adventure 28th April 4.30pm 29th & 30th April 11am & 1.30pm £15.50, £14.40 Elmer is patchwork, join three friends on a joyful jungle adventure in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the much-loved Elmer books. Age 3+
The Radett Centre WD7 8HL www.radlettcentre.co.uk
The EMC
Live at the EMC 3rd April 8pm £20
A selection of the best circuit comedians in the UK, rising stars and familiar faces from TV. Featuring three sets and one MC per show.
John Power - Cast, The La’s & Me 4th April 7.30pm £67.50, £29
Hear John’s best-loved songs with wild, funny and tender stories in this intimate show
Rave On 5th April 7.30pm £30.50
This 50s and 60s musical sensation is sweeping the nation. From the emergence of Rock ‘n’ Roll at Sun Records to the British Invasion and beyond.
Harpenden Trust Seniors Fair 9th April 10.30am - 1.30pm free
Over 40 exhibitors offering a range of support including charities, voluntary and commercial organisations.
Harpenden Museum will be open with an exhibition on Everyday Life in Edwardian Harpenden.
Fun for Little Ones Live 12th April 12 noon £17.50
‘Ms Rachel’ is the biggest viral sensation to hit children’s screens since ‘Baby Shark!’ See her character come to life in this interactive stage show.
The Wizard of Oz
16th April 1.30pm & 4.30pm, from £17.50
With stunning sets, vibrant costumes and dazzling special effects, let your imagination run wild as you witness this incredible cast bring the characters to life.
Flowers & Friendship Bracelets
18th April 2pm £22.50
Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music and dance, ‘Shake it Off’ to our very own Taylor Swift; sing along to ‘Flowers’ with Miley Cyrus; dust off your dance moves to ‘Vampires’ with Olivia Rodrigo, and not forgetting Sabrina Carpenter performing hits such as ‘Espresso’.
An Evening with World Cup Winner Sir Geoff Hurst 24th April 7.30pm, from £32
Sir Geoff Hurst who scored the hat-trick that resulted in World Cup glory for England in 1966 looks back on his West Ham and England career.
Richard Thompson 25th April 7.30pm £37.50
A founding member of Fairport Convention, join Richard for this acoustic performance, an unmissable evening for folk music fans.
Darkside - The Pink Floyd Show
26th April 7.30pm £27
Celebrating 20 years on the road, the show will include performances from Wish You Were Here to mark the 50th anniversary of this album, and the seminal work that is The Dark Side of the Moon.
Eric Morecambe Centre, Harpenden AL5 2FR www.everyonetheatres.com
Old Town Hall Arts Centre
Quentin Crisp: Naked Hope 4th April 8pm, £15 Mark Farrelly (Howerd's End, Jarman) brings us his hugely-acclaimed solo play for an up-close encounter with the original Englishman in New York.
Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote: Paint Me a Murder 5th April 8pm £21, age 14+
Jessica Fletcher is invited to the remote island hideaway of an artist friend, but soon gets caught up in a murder mystery only she (or you!) can solve!
The Mystery of The Old Town Hall 12th April 2pm £12, £10 age 7+
A brand new, board-game style theatre show where your skills are needed to solve this thrilling murder mystery. Examine evidence, inspect video footage, interrogate suspects, expect intrigue, mischief, spontaneity, and a sprinkle of magic.
Michael Morpurgo's Farm Boy 17th April 2pm £12, £10
This compelling sequel to 'War Horse' returns to the stage in this family-friendly show combining drama, storytelling, and original music.
Justin Moorhouse: The Greatest Performance of My Life 26th April 8pm £16 age 14+
Justins story covers subjects ranging from pantomimes to dreams, how to behave in hospitals, small talk and realising his Mum is a northern version of Columbo. It's funny and interesting, and perhaps there's a little bit that warms the soul, too.
Hemel Hempstead HP1 3AE www.oldtownhall.co.uk
The Alban Arena
The Banff Mountain Film Festival 8th April 7.30pm from £16, age 12+
Join the world’s top outdoor filmmakers and adventurers as they climb, ski, paddle, run and ride through the wildest corners of the planet!
The Roller Boys 9th April 7pm £24
Experience an electrifying fusion of music, skating and extreme stunts.
From The Jam ‘Setting Sons’ 45th Anniversary Tour 11th April 8pm £37.50 18+
Formed in 2006 when Russell Hastings and Rick Buckler (ex-The Jam drummer), joined forces with Bruce Foxton (ex-The Jam bassist and songwriter).
Fastlove 12th April 7.30pm £33.50 age 14+
George Michael tribute direct from the West End, with hits, from Wham! through to Wake Me Up, Freedom, Knew You Were Waiting, Careless Whisper and more.
Menopause the Musical 2 24th April 7.30pm £35
A trip of self-discovery, love and friendship all backed by a soundtrack of hysterical parodied hits.
A Chorus Line 29th April - 3rd May
Tues-Fri 7.30pm / Sat 1pm & 6pm from £16
This musical follows 17 dancers auditioning for a coveted spot in a Broadway chorus, with unforgettable songs like What I Did for Love and One.
The Alban Arena, St Albans AL1 3LD www.everyonetheatres.com
Abbey Theatre
Made in Dagenham
10th - 12th April 7.30pm & 12th April 2.30pm £14
This musical is based on the true story of the 1968 Ford sewing machinist strike in Dagenham, Highlighting the struggle for gender equality but also celebrating camaraderie, resilience and the transformative power of collective action.
STAJE 15th Anniversary Concert 17th April 8pm £15, child £12.50
With St Albans Jazz Ensemble performing Big Band Swing to Latin and Jazz-Funk to Soul.
The Cripple of Inishmaan
25th, 26th & 29th April - 3rd May 8pm & 27th April 2.30pm £14
A darkly comedic play set on an Irish island in the 1930s, following Billy, a young man with a disability, who struggles for acceptance in the community. Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 2DL www.abbeytheatre.org.uk
Barn Theatre Waiting For God
11th - 19th April 8pm & 19th April 2.30pm £15
Centring around the delightful antics of the colourful characters living at Bayview Retirement Home. Warning: Bouts of uncontrollable laughing may occur!
Yours Ever, Jane 13th April 3pm £13
Through words, music and dance, this one woman show delves into the life of the brilliant and witty Jane Austen, to mark the 250th anniversary of her birth. Jazz at the Barn: Semafour 25th April 8pm £10
An evening of jazz from this local 5 piece ensemble. Welwyn Garden City AL8 6ST www.barntheatre.co.uk
Handel’s Messiah 12th April 7.30pm
Performed by The Hardynge Choir. £18, student £9, child free St Nicholas Church, Harpenden AL5 2TP www.hardyngechoir.org
St Albans Organ Theatre 13th April 3pm
See demonstrations of all the working mechanical exhibits. £8, child £4
St Albans Organ Theatre, 320 Camp Road AL1 5PE www.stalbansorgantheatre.org
United in Harmony 26th April 7pm
St Albans Chamber Choir perform a twinning concert with Wormser Kantorei from St Albans’ twin town, Worms, Germany. £18, students £5
St Peter's Church, St Peter's Street, St Albans www.ticketsource.co.uk/stalbanschamberchoir
NOW at the Cathedral
Exhibition: Meditations on Faith until 6th April free
Reflecting on themes of brokenness and restoration through a cycle of 14 embroideries.
Little Kingdoms: Post-Roman Verulamium & the Hinterlands of Hertfordshire 3rd April 7.30pm
Join author and archaeologist Alex Harvey to explore the lesser-known territories from the history of Hertfordshire. £12, £6 in person/online Handel’s Messiah with St Albans Bach Choir & Sinfonia Verdi 5th April 7pm £15 - £36
Afterlife of Trees Tours 6th & 30th April 2pm £12
Celebrate trees and explore the fascinating woodwork in the Cathedral, focusing on skilled carpentry from the medieval to modern times. Passiontide Service 6th April 6pm
A powerful meditative service of music, poetry and prayer, marking the start of Passiontide. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Tour: Rogues & Rebels 9th April 2pm £12
From murder, witchcraft and heresy to challenging the laws and norms of their day, this tour tells the stories of those men and women associated with or depicted within the Abbey Church who, over the centuries, followed their own path.
Talk: The Strange Joyfulness of Bonhoeffer’s Prison Letters
10th April 7.30pm £12, £6 in person/online
It has been eighty years since the martyrdom of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. In this lecture, revisit the letters he wrote from his cell in Tegel Prison. Among the themes woven into his writings, one stands out: joy.
Stone Carving Workshops
11th & 12th April 10.30am - 3pm
£80, £150 for both days
Create a small piece of relief sculpture with Alan Micklethwaite, Stonemason and author of 'Restoration Stone Carving'. No experience needed
Palm Sunday 13th April
8am Eucharist
9.30am Eucharist with Procession of Palms
Meet by the Clock Tower on the High Street, to set off for the procession to the Cathedral with some greenery from home to wave as you walk and recall Jesus's journey to Jerusalem
11.15am Choral Eucharist with Blessing of Palms 6pm Evensong
Organ Concert: Conor McGlone
13th April 3pm free
The Wars of the Roses 14th April 2pm £12
Learn about how the power struggle for the throne between the royal houses of York and Lancaster left its mark on the fabric and people of the monastery in the 1400s and 1500s.
Holy Week - Address & Compline
14th - 16th April 8pm
A service of night prayer with an address from Revd Max Kramer, Chaplain at Keble College, Oxford.
Maundy Thursday 17th April
11am Chrism Eucharist / 8pm Maundy Eucharist
Good Friday 18th April
9.45am Journey with Jesus - Children's Service
12 noon Three Hours Devotion - Preaching of the Passion
1.30pm The Liturgy of Good Friday 8pm Unity at the Cross
Easter Eve 19th April 8pm
Easter Vigil with Confirmations. The first service of Easter begins quietly in darkness but ends in joyful light and noise.
Easter Day 20th April
8am Eucharist with Hymns
9.30am Easter Eucharist
11.15am Easter Choral Eucharist
3.30pm Easter Day Evensong
Easter Monday 21st April
2.30pm Pilgrimage
Fleetwood Mac by Candlelight 23rd April 7.30pm
A cast of West End Singers and a live band perform Fleetwood Mac hits as you’ve never heard them before. £10 - £60
Queen By Candlelight 24th April 7.30pm
Featuring a cast of West End Singers accompanied by an epic live rock band, experience Queen’s hits like never before. £10 - £60
Coldplay By Candlelight
25th & 26th April 7.30pm £10 - £60
Calling all Coldplay fans... you've been waiting for Something Just Like This, prepare for total Paradise, as you experience Coldplay's biggest hits.
Patron Saints - More to Explore
27th April 1.30pm free
To celebrate St George's Day, look out for images of St George as well as St Andrew, St David and St Patrick and even patron saints from beyond the UK.
Lunchtime Concert 28th April 1pm free Violin soloist.
Out of Town
Natural History Museum Tring
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year until 27th April 10am -5pm free
See incredible compositions and stunning photographs that capture the beauty and fragility of the natural world, taken by talented young photographers from across the globe.
Eggsplore Eggs Trail 5th - 20th April
Put your egg-spotting skills to the test and see if you can spot the eggs hidden around the galleries, trail sheet £1
Fantastic Feathers
8th - 10th & 15th - 17th April 10.30am & 2pm
Discover feathers and the birds they belong to. Free, drop in
Bird Feeders with the RSPB 8th & 15th April 10am - 4.30pm
Make an apple bird feeder. Free, drop in Tactile Tours - Museum Highlights
22nd April 2.30pm
An audio described tour of key specimens, from bizarre cassowaries to a charismatic polar bear. Free Treasures of the Rothschild Library Tour
24th April 2.30pm
An opportunity to look inside the Victorian Rothschild Library containing books dating back to the 1500s. £10 Tring HP23 6AP www.nhm.ac.uk
Whipsnade Zoo
Toddler Safari until 22nd July
Term time Tuesdays 11am
Go on a mini adventure to explore the natural world. Please ensure children have suitable clothing for playing outside.
Zoonormous Egg Hunt 5th - 21st April
Seek out eggs of all sizes, patterns and colours hidden around the Zoo, while learning about eggceptional species along the way. Unravelling clues or solving riddles will crack the secret code. Then visit the golden egg garden where successful eggsplorers can reveal the code and receive a tasty treat. Included in Zoo entry
Vet Careers Day 17th April 10am - 4.30pm £110
The perfect event for anyone considering a career in veterinary medicine, veterinary nursing or wildlife health. For 16 - 21 year olds
World Penguin Day Events
25th April: a special penguin talk and feed
27th & 28th April: penguin activities including an egg waddling challenge, a quiz with prizes, talks and penguin feeds. Most activities are included with admission, check website for more details
Grounds Highlights 26th March - 2nd Nov Weds-Sun 11.30am & 2.30pm
Enjoy a guided walk exploring the garden’s seasonal highlights, the history of Waddesdon and the Rothschild family. Free with grounds admission
Significant Signatures: Autograph Letters from the Waddesdon Archive
26th March - 2nd Nov Weds - Sun 11am - 4pm
In 2024, 229 letters and papers, now on display, were uncovered, including letters from Elizabeth I, Benjamin Franklin and Lord Byron and even a musical manuscript by Mozart.
Normal house & grounds admission applies
An Evening with Chapel Down 5th April 7pm
A 5 course dining experience with wines from Chapel Down. £150
Easter Trail
9th - 13th April & 16th - 21st April 10am - 5pm
Enjoy this trail jam-packed with fun games and creative activities. Please book, £3.50 Waddesdon, Bucks HP18 0JH
www.waddesdon.org.uk
Pilot Training
5th April - 21st April 11am & 2pm
Learn aircraft knowledge, test your reaction time to find the fallen parachutist, train your teamwork skills with your fellow recruits and develop your problem-solving to crack the codes to earn your wings. £6.50, age 4+
RAF Museum, London NW9 5LL www.rafmuseum.org.uk
Chiltern Open Air Museum
Easter Holidays Family Fun 5th - 21st April
With an adventure playground, Easter trail, family activities, new-born lambs, lessons in a Victorian schoolroom, heritage farm and more.
English Civil War Weekend 12th & 13th April
Return to the 17th Century with Sir Marmaduke Rawdon's Regiment of Foote as it prepares to march and join King Charles' Royalist army at Oxford. Watch the muskets firing and the Pikemen demonstrating their hand to hand combat skills.
Medieval Tournament 19th - 21st April
Be transported back to the 14th century with The Plantagenet Medieval Society, explore the fascinating living history displays, and meet the knights, ladies and squires of the medieval court.
Blacksmith Demonstrations
26th April 10.30am - 4.30pm
Watch the blacksmith work in the traditional Victorian forge, and learn about this skilled craft.
COAM, Chalfont St Giles, Bucks HP8 4AB www.coam.org.uk
Plumbing Services Ltd
We care about your small jobs too!
●Electric and Power Showers Fitted
●Ball Valves and Overflows
●Blocked WC’s, Sinks, Baths and Basins
●Repair/Renew Stopcocks and Taps
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●Repair Leaking Pipes
●Outside Taps
Dean Herrington 01727 764217 07830 159010 info@djmplumbing.co.uk www.djmplumbing.co.uk see our main advert on the inside back cover
More Out of Town
Hertford Castle
Easter Trail 5th - 27th April
Follow the trail map and find themed knitted characters hiding in shops and shop windows.
HArts Fest 12th April 12 noon - 4pm
Browse art and craft stalls, enjoy art and literature based activities, live entertainment and visit the Castle which will be open and free to explore. The Castle, Hertford SG14 1HR www.hertford.gov.uk
Wrest Park
Easter Adventure Quest 5th - 27th April 10am-5pm
Crack the clues hidden around the grounds and enjoy a chocolate reward. £2 plus admission
The Big Brick Build
12th - 21st April 10.30am - 4pm
Get creative and bring history to life with LEGO® bricks and help make a replica of Wrest Park's Orangery. Included in admission Wrest Park, Silsoe, Beds MK45 4HR www.english-heritage.org.uk
Sunday at the Mills
6th & 20th April 11am - 4pm £15, child £10
Step back in time and explore the fascinating history of the gunpowder factory. With rocket-making workshops, tractor-trailer tours, railway rides, interactive exhibitions, hands-on displays and more. Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey EN9 1JY www.royalgunpowdermills.com
Bletchley Park saw the innovation and introduction of new technology to help break codes during WW2. Some of these machines were the forerunners of devices we use every day, go and discover more about these amazing machines. For families with children aged 5 - 14
Amazing People, Amazing Machines Tour
8th 10th 15th & 17th April
Join this fun, family-friendly tour to find out about the amazing people and machines that helped break the Enigma cipher in WW2.
Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes MK3 6EB www.bletchleypark.org.uk
Standalone Farm
Amey Zoo Easter Animal Encounters
7th - 11th April
This unique show hosted by Mark Amey, a lifelong exotic and domestic animal keeper, breeder, zoologist, environmentalist and conservationist is a hands-on show where you can meet a range of fascinating creatures and snap some unforgettable photos! £12, includes access to the farm
Easter Chocolate-Making Workshops
14th - 18th April
Dawn Fry will be demonstrating how to make your own delicious lollipops before letting you loose with the piping bag to create your own. This is followed by a chocolate talk and tasting, where you will try real cacao and some delicious couverture chocolates. Age 4+ must be accompanied by an adult. £17 includes access to the farm
Letchworth Garden City SG6 4JN www.standalonefarm.com
De Havilland Aircraft Museum
Last Flight Out: Amy Johnsons Solo Flight 12th & 13th April 7.30pm £10, £15
A one woman show inspired by the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia, with Q & A. Age 14+
Easter Egg Hunt 18th - 27th April
With fun, games and crafts. £6, child £5, £8 London Colney, St Albans AL2 1BU www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk
Henry Moore Studios & Gardens
Open from 16th April
Experience Henry Moore’s iconic work with a visit to the artist’s former home, studios and sculpture gardens. Much Hadham SG10 6EE www.henry-moore.org
Shuttleworth House
Easter Bunny Flies In & Egg Hunt
20th & 21st April 11.30am £17.50 & £12.50
Watch the Easter Bunny flying into Shuttleworth before heading off on an Easter egg hunt through the Swiss Garden, with a chance to meet the Easter Bunny himself. And there will, of course, be chocolate!
Open House & Tours 10am - 2pm free
Entry as part of ‘Easter Bunny Flies In’ event Immerse yourself in the history of the Shuttleworth family at Old Warden Park for free. For a deeper experience take a tour for £10, please book. Shuttleworth, Biggleswade SG18 9DT www.shuttleworth.org
Tapir & Capybara Weekend
26th & 27th April
Celebrate these animals at the Zoo, funds raised during the weekend will go towards vital animal conservation. Enjoy animal-themed merchandise, treats and more. Included in general admission Hertfordshire Zoo, Broxbourne EN10 7QA www.hertfordshirezoo.com
NOW at the Museums
St Albans Museum + Gallery
Exhibition: Catching the Chain until 25th April
Inspired by the Museum's cells and courtroom this explores the history of criminal justice and the ways in which local communities have dealt with crime from the Iron Age to today.
Wild About Hertfordshire until 6th July free
150th anniversary exhibition of Hertfordshire Natural History Society celebrating the iconic flora, fauna and habitats of our county. It looks back at Victorian origins and forward to the future and the challenging times for the natural world. Learn about the natural history of Hertfordshire, then pick up a nature trail and explore the natural world all around you.
Generations: Drop-in 6th & 23rd April & 4th May
1.30pm - 3.30pm drop in The Museum is looking for individuals and families with a connection to any South Asian countries to get involved in the community co-curated exhibition - Generations: Stories from South Asian St Albans - which opens on the 18th July.
The Alphabet of the Norse People - Clay Workshop 8th & 9th April
10.15am,11.30am, 1.30pm & 2.45pm
£7.50, age 5+
Visit the exhibition of runes and see if you can decipher the codes. Working in clay, try carving some runic letters, perhaps spelling out your name or your own coded message.
Seed Bombs & Bird Feeders 15th & 16th April
Town Hall Tour 11th April 10.30am, free please book
Follow a guide through the newly restored building and discover the fascinating functions and features of the different historic spaces. From the glittering galas and balls in the assembly room to the cells where prisoners were held.
10.15am 11.30am 1.30pm 2.45pm
£7.50, age 5+
Make a seed bomb which you can use to create colour and enhance biodiversity, and a fat ball bird feeder.
Talk: Local Lock-Ups 16th April 7pm
In-person £10 / Zoom £6
Hundreds of historic lock-ups survive in villages and towns across the UK. Using information collected and evidence of those demolished long ago, available at prisonhistory.org, this talk explores the rise and fall of the parish lock-up across the 18th and 19th centuries. St Albans AL1 3DH www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Verulamium Museum
The Lost & Found until 4th May free
Find out what motivates metal detectorists and see some of their favourite finds. Learn about the Portable Antiquities Scheme and explore its treasure cases.
Family Crafts 8th & 9th April
10.15am 11.30am 1.30pm £7.50, age 5+
Try Roman themed crafts including making a traditional game and weaving or decorating a tile.
The Roman Herb Garden 10th & 11th April 10.15am 11.30am 1.30pm £8.50, age 5+
Discover some of the herbs grown and used in Roman times. Sow some seeds to grow at home and make your own lavender bag.
Archaeology for Families 14th & 15th April 10.30am - 1pm included with admission
A fun family friendly introduction to archaeology, learn how they record what they find in the ground by analysing genuine finds. Ages 7-12 Mosaic Making Workshop
16th April 10.30am 11.25am 12.20pm
Select colours of glass and embellishments to make a truly unique design. Working with a local mosaic artist, learn how to use professional tools to snip tiles and produce a mosaic. £12.50 + admission, children must be accompanied age 5+
Talk: Roman Baths in Britain
23rd April 7pm £10
Hear about the social background to bathing, as well as the architecture and technology of bath houses in Britain.
Verulamium Museum, St Albans AL3 4SW www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk
Harpenden Museum
Exhibition:
Harpenden in World War II April - July
Lectures:
1st April Medieval Harpenden, the Plague and its consequences. 7pm, suggested donation £5
22nd April The Making of Harpenden 7pm, suggested donation
£5
EMC, Rothamsted Park AL5 2FR www.harpenden-history.org.uk
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Join our friendly walking group
Hertfordshire is a beautiful county and has some of the best maintained footpaths in the country. Why not join us as we walk those footpaths?
We walk in Hertfordshire every Thursday and you can choose between a walk of 4 to 5 miles or 6 to 7 miles.
Membership is just £3 a year and you can enjoy up to 3 walks before becoming a member. We look forward to walking with you. Please email any queries to stalbansfootpaths@gmail.com or visit our website for more about the Society. And look out for our two bestselling walking guides, available at local bookshops.
stalbansfootpaths.org
Enjoying, protecting and enhancing footpaths around St Albans
