Time Out
The Waving Cat of Japan - Norden Farm, Maidenhead Sunday May 19
Nancy Astor’s Birthday Party Sunday May19
King of the Castle, Oxford Castle Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2
Saturday May 18 to September 1. PARTY SCIENCE SHOW at the Look Out Discovery Centre, Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. Shows at 11am, 12noon, 2pm and 3.15pm during school holidays and weekends. New show looking at the science behind parties: learn how to make balloon kebabs, paper chains, special party music, fun party tricks, a birthday cake with a difference and much more! Suitable for ages 3+. Tickets: £1.85 per person, in addition to normal entry to the science exhibition. 01344 354400; bracknell-forest.gov.uk. Sunday May 19. NANCY ASTOR’S BIRTHDAY PARTY at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 11am-4pm. The Water Garden will be transformed for the day with live music, colourful bunting, a traditional Punch and Judy show and a special birthday cake. Craft activities, free face painting as well as Cliveden’s giant maze and play area for the kids; meet famous characters from Cliveden’s past strolling through the grounds. Dressing up encouraged: feather boas, straw boaters, flapper dresses and flannels! Tel: 01628 605069; nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden. Sunday May 19. MAIDENHEAD DUCK DERBY AND FAMILY FUN DAY on Ray Mill Island, Boulters Lock, Maidenhead. Starting at 1pm. Stalls, treasure hunt for the children, entertainment, live music, Punch and Judy shows and of course the Duck Derby itself at 4pm. Have a flutter: tickets are just 20p per duck. Cash prizes to win. Maidenheadlions.org.uk. Sunday May 19. A WALK IN THE WOODS in Hemwood Dell, off Wolf Lane, Windsor. 2-3.30pm. Wildlife stroll through Hemwood Dell as part of National Walk in the Woods month. Suitable for adults and families. Paths may be unsuitable for pushchairs. Booking essential. Cost: free, or donation. 01628 777440 or email braywick@groundwork.org.uk. Sunday May 19. THE WAVING CAT OF JAPAN by The Krazy Kat Theatre Company (Sign Language Arts) at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. 11.30am and 2pm. Maneki Neko is a Waving Cat and bringer of good luck. Can he help sort out a wicked Sorceress, a not-so-smart Prince and three ticky tasks, all before midnight? Theatrical fantasy with trick puppets, quick changes, deft dances and lots of comic creation. For ages 3+. Tickets: £8.50; family of four £31. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org. Wednesday May 22 to Saturday July 13. EXHIBITION: THE COOKHAM COLLECTION at the Maidenhead Heritage Centre, Park Street, Maidenhead. 10am-4pm (Tue-Sat). See the collection of objects from Cookham including pottery from Odney, cartoon films from Moor Hall, a model of Cookham Mill in the 19th century and lots more. 01628 780555; maidenheadheritage.org.uk.
Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. KING OF THE CASTLE at the Oxford Castle Unlocked, Oxford Castle, Oxford. 10am-5.30pm. Family quests around the castle grounds along with themed arts and crafts and special tours, celebrating the discovery that Oxford Castle is the site where Geoffrey of Monmouth penned the famous Historia Regum Britanniae, regarded as the origin of the Legends of King Arthur. Cost: adults £9.25, children £6.95. 01865 260666; oxfordcastleunlocked.co.uk. Saturday May 25 to Saturday June 1. LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL during May half term at various locations within the Southbank Centre. Lots of events and interactive performances, walks, sing-a-longs, games and workshops suitable for children, varying from rap, ballet, fairy-tale walks and special tours for all ages. For more information, visit: southbankcentre.co.uk/londonlitfest. Saturday May 25. BURNHAM DONKEY DERBY in Burnham Park, Burnham. From 12 noon. Free entry. Community event organised by the Rotary Club of Burnham Beeches with donkey races and rides, stalls and entertainment. Join in with the 2nd Great Burnham Bake Off, run by The Well @ Lent Rise and enter a batch of your best cupcakes (before 11.30am, judging at 12 – see www.thewellatlentrise.org). Saturday May 25. MAD MAPPING, drop-in sessions for the under 5s at the Surrey Heath Museum, Knoll Road, Camberley, Surrey. 10.30am-12noon. 'Hands on' craft activity based on the given theme, colouring in, a story and toys to play with. Also on Saturday June 18 ("Washing on the Line"). 01276 707100; surreyheath.gov.uk. Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. MAP MAKING, daily half term activities at Hughenden, High Wycombe. 11am-4pm. Half term fun creating your own maps and visiting the secret 1940s map-making bunker. Free, with normal admission. 01494 755573; nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden. Sunday May 26. CHILDREN’S WILDLIFE WALK at the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common. Morning walk, booking required. Find out all about the wildlife that makes its home in the Burnham Beeches on this short walk with the Rangers. For ages 6+. Paths should be suitable for buggies. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham. Sunday May 26. PADDINGTON BEAR comes to the Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton Road Station, Quainton, near Aylesbury. 10.30am-5.30pm. Meet Paddington Bear. Tickets: adults £12, children £9, family £33. Monday May 27: ANNUAL BUS RALLY AND VETERAN CYCLE CLUB OF GREAT BRITAIN DISPLAY. Chance to have a ride on vintage buses, plus see some vintage bikes. 01296 655720; bucksrailcentre.org. Sunday May 26. FROGFEST in Frogmoor, High Wycombe. A one-day music and cultural event, part of the Wycombe Arts Festival. From noon. Free event with family activities, live music, children’s workshops, circus skills and exciting stalls for all the family to enjoy. Wycombeartsfestival.org. Sunday May 26 and Sunday May 27. GLADIATORS! At the the Chiltern Open Air Museum, Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles. Roman gladiator fights! Learn about Roman life in Britain in the 1st century AD, buy your own replica Roman weapons in the shop. Be warned, there will be a lot of (fake) blood - not for those of a sensitive disposition. 01494 871117; coam.org.uk. Monday May 27. FAMILY FUN DAY at Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor. First race: 2.15pm, last race: 5.30pm. Under 18s go free. A great day out for the whole family, with lots of free fun activities for the kids. Admission on the day (adults): Silver Ring Enclosure - £12; Grandstand - £21; Club Enclosure - £25. 01753 498400; windsor-racecourse.co.uk. Monday May 27 and Saturday June 1. OPEN DAYS at Longridge Activity Centre, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow. Try out some of the activities Longridge has to offer, such as
climbing, water orbing, bell boating, kayaking, canoeing, go-karting, leap of faith, etc. Activities for ages 8+ only. Book in advance, via longridge-uk.org or call 01628 483252. Monday May 27 to Friday May 31. HALF TERM SHOWS at Norden Farm, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. All shows at 11.30am and 2pm. Monday: Suitcase Circus. With Wobulous Discombobulous, the anarchic sock, and his friends, performing their circus tricks. For ages 4+. Tuesday: Sally and the Sunflower. Inventive re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk. For ages 3+. Wednesday: How High? Hetty loves to measure things. As she explores the world of height, she meets an extraordinary eight foot boy. For ages 4+. Thursday: Misunderstood Monsters. Professional monster catcher Saint Georgie and his faithful sidekick Squeezy are on their most dangerous mission yet. Overcome your fear of spiders, crocodiles and aliens through the power of words, music and digital game playing. For ages 4+. Friday: Star. A Gardener and a Tailor live at opposites ends of the world. They both see a bright Star in the sky at night. When the Star disappears, the Tailor and the Gardener are brought together, but will their Star ever return? For ages 2+. There will also be family films on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, all at 2pm. All tickets: £8.50 each, family of four £31. 01628 788997; nordenfarm.org. Monday May 27 to Friday May 31. ‘BUILD IT’ AND HUNT CHALLENGE at the REME Museum of Technology, Isaac Newton Road, Arborfield, Reading. Complete this massive museum wide hunt to find our missing object. Wednesday May 29: MINI ASSAULT COURSE between 11am and 3.30pm. Survive Sir’s Mini Assault Course and water jump! A change of clothes might be needed. For ages 5-12. No need to book. 0118 9763375; rememuseum.org.uk. Tuesday May 28. FAMILY BUSHCRAFT DAY at Black Park, Black Park Road, Wexham, Slough. 9.30am-1.30pm. Learn new skills, all set in the park’s bushcraft HQ Black Pine’s Camp. With shelter building, fire lighting and survival techniques. Light ‘bushcraft style’ refreshments provided. Maximum ratio of 1 adult : 2 children. Not suitable for under 8s. Booking essential. Cost: adults £20 adult, children £15. 01753 511060; buckscc.gov.uk/countryparks. Tuesday May 28 to Thursday May 30. HALF TERM FAMILY EVENTS AND CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS at the River and Rowing Museum, Mill Meadows, Henley. Tuesday: On Swan Lake, craft workshop for ages 4-8 inspired by the museum’s Swan Upping exhibition. 10.30am-12.30pm. Booking required. Cost: £8.50. Wednesday: Monsters from the Deep, pond-dipping in the Marsh Meadow ponds for ages 9-13, plus craft activity. Cost: £8.50. Booking required. Family Day on Thursday: Icebergs and Icicles. 10.30am-4pm. Discover the wildlife of the North Pole with lots of fun activities. Drop in anytime. Free with admission. 01491 415600; rrm.co.uk. Tuesday May 28 to Thursday May 30. HALF TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES at the Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue, High Wycombe. Tuesday and Thursday: Mosaic Madness, drop-in activities for ages 4-12. Design and make a coaster with colourful glass mosaic tiles. Cost: £2.50 per child. Sessions at 10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm, 2.30pm and 3.30pm. Wednesday: Bodger the Mascot and Friends, from 10.30am-12noon. Drop-in and join Bodger the Mascot for some fun and games, and photo opportunities. For ages 5+. 01494 421 895; wycombe.gov.uk/museum. Wednesday May 29. HARRY POTTER-IN-A-DAY, a holiday theatre workshop at the Theatre Royal Windsor, Thames Street, Windsor. From 9am onwards, 5pm presentation in the Circle Bar. Workshop based on the Harry Potter adventures, filled with games and improvisations, working towards a mini-performance at the end of the day. For ages 5-12. Cost: £40 for the day. 01753 863444; theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk. Wednesday May 29. WILD WEDNESDAY – ORIENTEERING at Cliveden, Taplow, Maidenhead. 11am-3pm. How fast do you think you can complete our
MAY/JUNE 2013
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HALF TERM Friday May 24 to Sunday June 2. SPRINGTIME WOODLAND WONDERS at the Burnham Beeches, Hawthorn Lane, Farnham Common. Another week of springtime fun, based at the information point, for families that want to get out and about. For more info on specific activities, look online and on-site nearer the time. 01753 647358; cityoflondon.gov.uk/burnham. Saturday May 25 to Sunday June 2. SHEEP RACING at Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common Road, Wooburn Common. Sheep racing’s back, with a specially built mini race track with jumps and bends, eager sheep with miniature jockeys. Odds Farm are also running ACTIVITY DAY CAMPS during May Half Term from Tuesday May 28 to Friday May 31 (and the Summer Holidays). Includes exclusive play in the Giant Indoor Playbarn before public opening hours, plus scheduled activities in the private and secure Play Room and stacks more daily activities and animal fun throughout the farm. For ages 4-12. Cost for day camps: Standard day (8.30am-5.30pm) £39; half day (8.30am-1pm or 1-5.30pm) £29; late club upgrade (5.30-6pm) £3. Discounts for members. 01628 520188; oddsfarm.co.uk.
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FAMILIES Thames Valley East