Shop with independent brands for gorgeous Christmas gifts while enjoying mulled wine and wreath making for an abundance of festive cheer on Saturday 26th November
Indulge in a festive shopping experience and buy impactful gifts that pair luxury with purpose, at Asthall Manor, Burford on Saturday, 26th November.
This curated shopping event from 10.30am-4pm, brings together a group of independent brands that believe positive impact can be achieved through good business, sustainable practices, and the value of time-honoured crafts. Expect lovely Christmas gifts, mulled wine and wreath making for an abundance of festive cheer.
Visitors will have the opportunity to shop exquisite glassware, jewellery and kills from ISHKAR, a social enterprise seeking to challenge one-sided narratives of conflict-affected countries through a unique blend of craftsmanship, storytelling and travel.
Artisan woven scarves, cosy knits and beanies from Thread Tales inspired by the experience of travel. Discovering more rare, beautiful, sustainably produced fabrics, handwoven by Artisans from around the world.
Handcrafted homeware by Goldfinger who craft bespoke furniture and homeware from reclaimed and sustainable materials. All Goldfinger products are designed to support the circular economy.
Tamay and Me creates sustainable clothing and homewares made in partnership with communities in North Vietnam using local textile traditions.
Artisanal home & lifestyle collections sourced throughout Africa from Hadeda a lifestyle brand collaborating with talented artisans across Africa to bring you one-of-a-kind ceramic, art, furniture and fashion pieces.
Luxurious organic soaps and skincare products from La Eva and organic underwear from Pico Goods with a focus on simplicity, traceability and comfort.
K White Coaching helps mums connect and explore what they want next from life
As a stay-at-home mum or a working mum, balancing the demands of life is a constant challenge. Understanding what’s most important to you through self-discovery exercises and coaching can help you make choices around your life and career that are right for you.
K White Coaching has been helping local mums to explore their current situation and what they want from their next chapter of life, on an interactive ‘Self-Discovery Workshop for Mums’ hosted by Kathryn, certified coach and mum of two small children.
The event was held at the Good Life Hub Co-Working Space in Hampstead Norreys. An inspiring place to work, connect and collaborate with others.
The workshop was a great place for the participants to meet and connect with other mums, share their stories and aspirations, and feel supported in their self-discovery. After a session which helped participants understand and reflect on their personal values, the workshop included a life and career audit, group exercises around strengths and skills, and tools and exercises to help participants set goals and start acting towards these.
Jennie R, has already started taking action and is feeling excited about her future following the workshop: “Kathryn’s self-discovery workshop was absolutely fantastic! It gave a safe and welcoming space to really focus on what’s important to me. And how my values have changed since becoming a mum. She guided us all through a process that was actually much more personal and profound than I was expecting. The environment Kathryn created was warm, supportive and productive. She has extensive knowledge of techniques and strategies that helped each of us find clarity. I found her to be empathetic, wise and exceptionally good at helping me reach the next step in terms of moving forward. After the workshop I finally took action and have just begun studying for a higher national diploma, working towards a career that makes me feel genuinely excited about the future.”
The group enjoyed the workshop so much that they’ve decided to meet regularly to check-in and to help keep each other accountable on their next steps.
Dr Seema Warner, skin expert & founder of Oxford’s YourSkinStory, explains why a holistic approach will add that vital glow to your skin
Your skin….
It is your barrier to the outside world. Standing up to attack from UV rays, pollution, bacteria, pathogens, dirt and grime and environmental toxins. It’s a powerhouse of immunity making hormones that are important for defence and physically keeping our internal environment of blood, tissues and cells protected. It has the power to change how we feel about ourselves. We wear it every day and if we don’t care for it, it won’t be able to care for us. The power of healthy, beautiful skin goes beyond just a great selfie – although that’s always a bonus!
“The power of healthy, beautiful skin goes beyond just a great selfie – although that’s always a bonus!”
Your skin is unique to you. Holding within it cells responsible for oil production, pigment, cell repair and turnover, as well as its own population of bacteria and microbiota known as your skin microbiome. No one else has skin like yours or receives the same sensory input, external stimuli or nutrition as you do. Which is why it’s so important to treat it individually with a personalised approach that fits into your life and addresses your unique make up. It is yours and yours alone.
We need to stop seeing skin as detached from the rest of our body. It’s very much part of our whole body. Blood flow, lymphatics and nerve cells ensure that there’s a constant connection between our internal environment and that of our skin. If skin care is not integrated, we are not treating our skin fully or adequately. We need to step back and see the whole picture. If you’ve seen the difference a really good night’s sleep can make to your skin, then you’ve already seen the power of integrating skin health care!
Get in touch
If you’ve tried many skin products with no luck or simply don’t know where to start. I’d love to help you find the ideal routine for your skin. Or if you’ve struggled with a skin issue that will not respond to other treatments or are interested in healing from the inside and out, please do get in touch. I run online skin programmes to help you virtually through product, nutrition and lifestyle advice, as well as treatment programmes from my Oxford clinic. I make my advice as practical as possible and personalised to your skin, body and lifestyle so you can put things into practice in a way that makes sense to you. Skin treatments focus on skin health as well as results and emotional well-being to give you whole body results.
New scientific research is emerging every day, with the realisation that we can control our health more than we initially thought. That although we’re born with a specific set of genes, it’s our environment and lifestyle that modify and switch these on or off. And that we’re connected throughout our body with an incredibly sophisticated system that relies on each aspect supporting the other. Each day will bring new elements for your body to manage and so your skin will change to accommodate this. It will tell the story of you and your life. It is your skin story.
The Festival of Light promises to be even more extraordinary than ever, as you’re invited to step into The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl as the lantern festival returns
This winter, The Festival of Light at Longleat will bring Roald Dahl’s much-loved stories to life.
Launching on November 5th and running throughout the festive holidays until January 8th. The Wondrous Worlds of Roald Dahl features a host of the acclaimed author’s most iconic characters. Including The BFG, Willy Wonka, Matilda and Fantastic Mr Fox.
Working in partnership with The Roald Dahl Story Company, Longleat is creating 23 stunning lantern scenes. These will narrate his much-loved stories as part of the Wiltshire attraction’s renowned The Festival of Light.
This year’s fantastical festival is the biggest and most ambitious to date. With over 800 individual lanterns, some more than 15-metres tall. Set against the historic backdrop of Longleat House, formal gardens and ‘Capability’ Brown landscaped parkland.
Visitors can wander through Giant Country, see Sophie in the BFG’s Cave, and accompany them on their visit to Buckingham Palace.
What to expect
Step inside the gates of Willie Wonka’s Chocolate Factory to meet Charlie, Mike TeeVee, Violet, Veruca, Augustus Gloop, and the Oompa Loompas.
Head over to Half Mile Pond to watch James set sail for New York, on the Giant Peach and brave shark-infested seas. Accompany Matilda to Crunchem Hall to meet the fearsome Miss Trunchbull. Finally, join Bruno, as he comes face to face with the wicked Witches.
The illuminated outdoor trail also features key scenes from Esio Trot, The Twits, Fantastic Mr Fox, George’s Marvellous Medicine, The Enormous Crocodile, and The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me.
Other highlights include a three-metre-tall book tunnel, The BFG Flight Tunnel and a giant stack of Roald Dahl’s books in Main Square.
The festive fun continues with Longleat’s famous 15-metre Enchanted Christmas Tree Show and Santa Train – separate booking needed.
Tickets to The Festival of Light include the Winter Safari Drive-Through, Enchanted Christmas Tree Show. On-foot animal attractions including Koala Creek, Jungle Cruise and Family Farmyard, Adventure Castle, Rockin’ Rhino, Jungle Cruise and the Hedge Maze.
Wallingford Corn Exchange has a varied programme of films and live screenings running through the month starting, November 1st. There’s sure to be something that appeals to you.
Cinema this month
Includes Nothing Compares (1st & 2nd), Amsterdam (4th, 6th & 7th), Doctor, Who Am I? (8th), My Neighbour, Adolf (9th & 10th), The Banshees of Inisheren (11th-13th), Love Around the World (17th), Triangle of Sadness (18th-20th), Hunt (21st-24th), Living (25th & 27th), Call Jane (28th & 29th).
There’s a live screening on Thursday, 3rd November as part of the NT Live series of Anton Chekov’s The Seagull recorded at the Harold Pinter Theatre, London. Starring Emilia Clarke, Tom Rhys Harries, Indira Varma, Daniel Monks and Sophie Wu. It tells of a young woman desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.
A dazzling showcase marking 60 years of the Friends of the Royal Opera House, The Royal Ballet: A Diamond Celebration, comes live from Covent Garden on Wednesday, 16th November. The showcase will demonstrate the breadth and diversity of The Royal Ballet’s repertory in classical, contemporary and heritage works. It will include world premieres of short ballets by choreographers Pam Tanowitz, Joseph Toonga and Valentino Zucchetti. As well as The Royal Ballet’s first performance of ‘For Four’ by Artistic Associate, Christopher Wheeldon and a performance of George Balanchine’s ‘Diamonds’.
The end of the month brings Arthur Smith with his Edinburgh Fringe Show – about the Edinburgh Fringe. This is Smith’s love letter to the playground of the imagination that is the Edinburgh Fringe on its 75th birthday. Telling the story of this great city and its festivals and recalling some of the triumphs, disasters, love affairs and arrests of his many Augusts in Auld Reekie. Hamlet, Colditz, Leonard Cohen, Dante, dementia, Gary Lineker and the Leith Police all feature in this moving hour of revelations, songs, poems, and gags on Saturday, 26th November.
Date for your diaries
Thursday, 8th December will bring a live screening of the magical Christmas favourite The Nutcracker. Performed by The Royal Ballet live from Covent Garden.
There are plenty of displays to choose from, big and small, to make your fireworks night go with a bang
Saturday, 29th October
Weston on the Green will be lighting the bonfire at 6.30pm before its display goes up around 7pm. It costs just £1 with profits going towards the cost of the 2023 event.
Friday, 4th November
Fizz, whizz, pop! The awe-inspiring Fireworks Display at Witney Lakes is back with a bang with food stalls, entertainment and more, our firework display will be a night to remember for the whole family. Wrap up warm and come for a night of entertainment at Witney Lakes Resort’s annual firework display.
Ridgeway Beer, mulled wine, hot dogs, doughnuts and cakes as well as homemade soup to warm you up are all available at South Stoke bonfire and fireworks night in the Recreation Ground. Go along and enjoy the fireworks display choreographed to music by double British firework champions Illusion Fireworks Ltd. All money raised goes to South Stoke School.
Didcot Football Club’s fireworks spectacular is kicking off with fairground rides from 4pm, keep warm next to the bonfire from 6pm and watch the colourful show from 7.30pm. Hot food and drink, a bar, stalls and glows and sparklers will all add to the fun for the price of just £5 per person on the gate.
Expect low noise and more environmentally friendly whizzes and bangs at Strathfield Brake Rec, Kidlington along with all the fun of the fair, stalls, a BBQ and bar. Tickets can be bought in advance from Exeter Hall with a £1 discount.
Hanborough Musical Fireworks promises to be a colourful sight with gates opening at 6opm before the main event at 7.15pm. Fairgrounds rides, candyfloss, a BBQ, mulled wine and hot chocolate will all help to keep you warm while you enjoy the show. Cash only event.
Saturday, 5th November
Thame Fireworks is raising funds for the 3 Thame Primary Schools at Chinnor RFC in Kingsey Road, come along and enjoy a colourful display. E-tickets available now at http://www.thameschoolsfireworks.co.uk/
Oxford Round Table are holding their 54th charity fireworks display on the main day at South Park where you’ll find so much more to enjoy in addition to the traditional display. There’ll be an enormous bonfire built by Round Table members and volunteers, a fully licensed bar, Hebborn’s funfair and a super family tent with dedicated enclosure and viewing area. For tickets visit https://oxfordfireworks.co.uk/the-event
Wallingford Bonfire and Fireworks has become known for the huge pallet bonfire and effigy which is burnt courtesy of the work put in by all the helpful folks at Wallingford 1155 who take great pride in organising the celebrations. Every hot dog, mulled wine, glow stick or sparkler you buy will help fund future events. The event is free but donations are invited on the gate. Look out for the Loose Cannon tents selling ale and Pilsner lager.
Sunday, 6th November
If noisy fireworks are not for you then how about the Festival of Fire and Light at Barracks Lane Community Garden. Join the procession with lanterns and make a head dress to wear. Make your own pizza to tuck into and enjoy warming pumpkin soup over the fire. Cornerstonemusik’s DJ BAPS will be adding to the festival vibes providing some conscious and loving ‘outanational’ selections. The garden is located in a new Resident Parking Zone so please come by bike, on foot or use public transport.
Saturday, 12th November
The week after there are still fireworks to entertain you when Illusion Fireworks return to Abingdon Airfield for the sixth year with a 30-minute display choreographed to music. A massive bonfire will form the centrepiece with fiery fireballs, a huge fairground, entertainers and fire breathers, a high powered light display and children’s firework display all part of the attractions. Book tickets at https://www.xplosiveevents.com/events/abingdon-bonfire-fireworks
Well done to all the wildlife lovers who took part in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) competition who snapped some beautiful sights at local nature reserves and green spaces and showed how nature can help our mental health
Winning entries include this stunning shot of a buzzard in flight, this pin-sharp picture of a tiny shield bug emerging from a garden flower and a portrait of a pensive kingfisher.
The winner of this year’s children’s category was eight-year-old Roly Lewis from Oxford. The North Hinksey Primary School pupil took his fantastic photo of a shield bug, poking its head out of a flower in his own front garden.
Roly said: “I wanted to enter the competition, so I took lots of wildlife pictures all spring and summer. I thought this photo was my best one because the blossom was a nice background, and the shield bug had an amazing colour and pattern. This made me look closely at shield bugs which are really amazing. My mum told me I had won when I came out of school, and I was so excited I jumped up and down. I really wanted to win but I thought there would be so many good photos that I wouldn’t.”
Children Winner – Roly Lewis (8) (Sheildbug)Children Runner Up – Hayden Denham (7) (Hummingbird Hawkmoth)
The Wildlife Trust restarted its popular photo competition this summer after a three-year break because of the pandemic. The charity, which manages more than 80 nature reserves across Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire, challenged everyone aged six and over to take fantastic photos of plants, animals and fungi at its sites, or to capture action for wildlife in their local area.
Roy McDonald took first place with his crystal-clear shot of a buzzard in mid-air at the Trust’s College Lake reserve near Tring. The 45-year-old former courier driver from Berkhamstead revealed after winning the contest that he has struggled with his mental health for some years, and that wildlife photography had helped. He said: “Nature helps me so much, it’s honest and calming and it doesn’t judge you, and just sometimes, if you are calm and patient, it will allow you to get up close into their world. I always take great pleasure when a creature trusts you enough to not scurry or fly away. But you don’t have to take photos: just being in nature and observing it can give you something to focus on.
“I had my encounter with a majestic buzzard on a cold and beautiful winter day. I had seconds to react once I spotted it, and just as my focus locked on, it spotted me and flew directly across my path. So close to me. I chose the first image of the sequence because it had the most amount of action and sense of place. It is by far and away the best shot of a buzzard I have ever managed. They have eluded me for years. I’m quite stunned and delighted to have won.”
Flora and fauna Winner (and overall winner) – Ray McDonald (buzzard in flight) taken at College LakeFlora and fauna Runner Up – Adrianna Bielobradek (Poppy seedhead) taken at Buckleberry Common)
As overall winner, Mr McDonald won a top-of-the-range Panasonic Lumix digital camera and a wildlife photography masterclass. As well as receiving a printed canvas of his picture and having it appear in BBOWT’s 2023 calendar.
This year’s contest had six new categories: flora and fauna; nature reserve landscapes; people in nature; children’s category (ages 6-12), teenagers (ages 13-19) and Team Wilder, for shots of action for nature in the community. Helen Touchard-Paxton, a mum who lives Buckinghamshire, won the Team Wilder category with a snap of a frog in a garden pond that she and her family dug during the coronavirus lockdown.
She said: “I believe this photo shows that you don’t need acres of land to create a successful wildlife area: if you are interested – no matter how small your space – just have a go and see what works. I don’t have high-end expensive equipment, and I have no idea how to use photo editing software – the photo is very much ‘as taken’. I was absolutely amazed to have won the Team Wilder category.”
Team Wilder Winner – Helen Touchard-Paxton (frog)Team Wilder Runner Up – Peter Massam (bug hotel)
The Trust received hundreds of entries, creating an extremely difficult job for this year’s judges. BBOWT communications officer Kate Titford, Trust magazine editor Ben Vanheems and professional photographer Steve Gozdz, who runs local nature safaris in Berkshire through his business GG Wildlife Experiences.
Teenagers Winner – Zachary Osbourne (14) Kingfisher Teenagers Runner Up – Lucy Colston (17) (marbled white on scabious)
Mr Vanheems said: “It’s been a really laborious process with lots of debate going on because we want to get it right, but the competition entrants haven’t exactly made it easy for us.”
People in Nature Winner – Petra Mohr (girl on decking) taken at Weston Turville ReserviorPeople in Nature Runner Up – Lorraine Clarke (man in hide) taken at College Lake
Mr Gozdz added: “What I was looking for was composition, good use of light – an action shot would have been fantastic. What we’ve found is something quite stunning. A real in-the-moment shot with perfect angles and perfect light, and actually something I would have been very happy to have taken myself. In fact, when I first saw it I was quite jealous.”
Landscape Winner – Charlotte Day (sunrise landscape) taken at Cholsey MarshLandscape Runner Up – John Kearns (Warburg trees) taken at Warburg
The trust is grateful to GG Wildlife Experiences, Panasonic and Chroma for sponsoring this year’s competition.
The winner of a competition to design a logo to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the opening of Westgate Oxford has been unveiled – 10-year-old Tamsin Taylor from Oxford beat entrants from across the region.
Ahead of its 5th birthday celebration on Monday 24th October, Westgate Oxford supported by Experience Oxfordshire, invited local children in the region to design an emblem which will be used online, across social media and on a specially-made birthday cake.
The winning design, which features a shopper celebrating with a cake and balloons, will be seen at a birthday party event attended by the Lord Mayor of Oxford James Fry this Monday.
Tamsin Taylor, the winner of Westgate Oxford’s logo competition, said: “I am amazed and really excited to have won the competition. I love drawing and design and worked really hard on the logo. I can’t believe it!”
Brendan Hattam, Centre Director at Westgate Oxford, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating five fantastic years since the launch of the redeveloped Westgate Oxford, and we are proud to mark the occasion by unveiling this incredible artwork.
“We have some amazing artistic talent in the region leading to a very tough judging session. But, I think we can agree that our birthday emblem is a worthy winner – well done to Tamsin and thank you to everyone who sent in entries.”
Birthday celebrations will take place at 11am on Monday, 24th October.
A ground-breaking project created by BBOWT, (Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust) to create a new channel of the River Thames and restore long-lost wildlife habitat, has been completed.
The 450-metre watercourse at Chimney Meadows nature reserve near Bampton, bypasses a manmade weir and will enable fish to swim along a 30km stretch of the Thames, and spawn for the first time in more than a century.
Created by BBOWT in a £2 million project at its flagship nature reserve. The channel is already populated with native fish, birds and mammals.
Working with the Environment Agency, the trust also created shallow temporary pools called scrapes near the channel. The project has re-established a naturally functioning floodplain habitat. Which was once common across the UK, but was destroyed as rivers were straightened, land was drained and connection with floodplain was lost.
This wetland is now able to store floodwater for longer, helping to protect homes and land from flooding. Predicted to worsen as a result of climate change. The trust is also working in partnership with Bangor University and the EA. Who are undertaking research to demonstrate that active floodplains can store carbon and be part of the solution to the climate crisis.
Estelle Bailey, BBOWT’s chief executive, said: “This project is an amazing achievement for restoring vital habitats for wildlife, to move freely while tackling climate change. Our mission as a trust is to put nature into recovery. We want to see 30% of land in our three counties properly managed for wildlife by 2030. This is a golden piece of that wild jigsaw puzzle. We know we cannot tackle climate change without restoring nature. This project is a shining example to the whole world of how we can achieve that by working together to bring wildlife back.”
‘This is a golden piece of that wild jigsaw puzzle‘
The two-year project was funded by a £2 million Water Environment Grant. From the EU’s European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). The project was managed by environmental consultancy JCTR, designed by environmental engineering consultancy Atkins, and main contractor on site was Hampshire-based FiveRivers. Which delivered all the environmental, wetland and improvement works.
One of the central aims of the work was to create a channel that would bypass Shifford Weir. A structure has existed at this site since the 1890s. When a new ‘short cut’ channel was dug to connect two parts of the Thames and enable easier transportation of wool from the Cotswolds to London. Shifford Weir is owned and operated by the EA and helps with the navigability and flood risk management of the Thames. But blocks the movement of fish. This is one of the reasons that, in recent years, the river environments in the area have been classified as having poor ecological status.
The new channel, in combination with a new rock pool fish pass at Duxford Ford, will allow fish to pass some of the last remaining barriers on the Upper Thames. Fish will now be able to freely swim around the Duxford Loop of the river. Even during low water levels, to access some 30km of Thames between Eynsham and Radcot, including 2.1km of potentially good spawning habitat. Crucially, this helps populations of native species including barbel, chub and dace to be far more resilient to environmental change such as hotter, drier summers, and to pollution events.
The new scrapes around the channel will help the nature reserve’s curlew. An iconic wading bird with a distinctive downward-curved beak that is in national decline. The curlew is an indicator of the wider health of the wetland. But they need wet pools to feed on aquatic insects and longer grass, in which to nest and hide from predators. Both have now been restored.
The project has also attached ‘baffles’ to Great Brook Ford which will further help fish to swim upstream, and planted new, native wet woodland around Duxford Ford. With hundreds of willow, alder, birch and hawthorn trees.
The entire project was overseen by BBOWT Living Landscape Manager for the Upper Thames, Lisa Lane. Despite the fact that she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the middle of the work. Lisa said: “It was really challenging to make this project happen for many reasons. It came close to failing a few times. Lizzie Rhymes at the Environment Agency has been a great support in particular, since we first discussed helping fish over or around the various barriers in the river back in 2010! I can’t wait to show people what we have achieved.”
It may feel as if the children have only just gone back to school, but already it’s time for half term. So, if you’re in need of some ideas to amuse them and save your own sanity, read on…
This time of year may be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but it’s also the time for ghostly goings-on when things go bump in the night and you can’t help bumping into a pumpkin or two!
Come and explore the first-ever pumpkin patch at The Earth Trust Centre at Wittenham Clumps from October 22nd to 30th. Pick your own direct from the field on the farm and try not to get lost in the maize maze. Get your boots muddy and your hands grubby, as you and your little ones have fun with one of our favourite autumn harvest vegetables. Morning and afternoon sessions. Booking essential.
A spooky, fun-filled, after dark trail awaits all the family this half term at Blenheim Palace, 21st to 30th, complete with new installations for 2022. Join with family and friends to wander from dusk into darkness between one ghostly space and another… if you dare! Watch out for flickering flames in a fiendish fire garden, daring fire artists and grinning pumpkins. Wind your way through the illuminated haunted woods filled with creepy neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, larger-than life spiders and beastly bats. Then discover the Secret Garden filled with more hidden surprises. Could it be a trick of the light or do things really go “bump in the night”?
Join fascinating, free, family-friendly events at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford this half-term. The Festival of Social Science is a celebration of creative, challenging, and inspiring work that social science researchers do to help us understand and influence the world around us. Hands-on activities are led by real-life social scientists. Discover the future of going to the doctors, explore what better cities could look like, uncover hidden histories in the museum’s collections – and much more! Find out how the researchers are helping to make the world a better place. Just drop in on 29th and 30th.
Hear spooky stories from 1,000 years of gruesome history come to life during a Spooky Tour at Oxford Castle on October 15th and 21st to 31st. Are you brave enough to visit one of the most haunted places in the UK? Explore the vaulted well chamber, visit the punishment cells and go underground into the dark and spooky crypt. Watch out for ghostly visitors revealing themselves! Underground in the crypt, a cauldron is brewing; with the help of the castle’s resident warlock you can concoct some magical potions with three exciting activities in this hour-long workshop on selected dates.
Take part in the Waterperry Halloween Hunt throughout October half term, 15th to 30th. Follow the trail through the historic gardens to claim your prize at the end.
Follow the clues around the mysterious world of Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to win a chocolate prize (or an alternative treat) on the Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure. Folk of Tumblestone Hollow will be reading stories from The Moon Witch and The Thief and giving away spooky temporary transfers. There will be pumpkins galore and ghoulish surprises in this magical spot.
Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts and The Base Greenham are excited to be presenting a range of fabulous shows, events and workshops to keep families and little ones entertained this October half term! From shows like Fireman Sam, Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science and a stage adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s The Dark on stage, and spooky screenings of Halloween classics in the cinema, to crafty workshops and fun art courses across the Learning Centre, 101 and The Base, including pumpkin carving and Halloween themed t-shirt printing – it’s going to be a fang-tastic half term! Find out more at www.cornexchangenew.com
Enjoy a free guided tour at the Living Rainforest this half term and explore the theme of ‘poisonous and venomous’ in keeping with it being Halloween. The centre is home to more than 850 species of plants and animals and visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of a lush tropical rainforest environment.
Children can enjoy some autumn crafts in the barn at the historic site of Avebury, as well as a half-term family trail from 22nd to 30th.
LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat presents Monster Party, where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over this October. Join them at the Brick or Treat Monster Party to celebrate their fantastic new 4D Movie The Great Monster Chase!. There’ll be amazing new experiences, live shows, fantastic LEGO decorations and lots of Monster mischief. The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be transformed into a pumpkin-filled wonderland for what promises to be the most frightfully fun event of the year.
Big friendly spooktacular family fun is promised at HalloWellyWeen at Wellington Country Park from Saturday 22nd until Sunday 30th. Enjoy daily shows and story telling at The Witches Show Tent, comedy duo Big Foot and PeteZa in The Not So Spooky Show Tent, get face to face with creepy crawlies in The Lost Jungle and carve a pumpkin in The Pumpkin Patch. The pop-up play village, Halloween themed miniature train and new for 2022 Junk Jodie with recycled Halloween crafts will all add to the entertainment.
Explore the lost village of Stowe as part of the Halloween trail at the National Trust property during October half term, expect some chants and spells along the way together with rare opportunities to explore the spookiest of Stowe’s monuments, the Gothic Temple on 29th and 30th.
Follow the paths of the Wicked Witch Trail around Lamport Garden on a spooky exploration from Saturday 22nd to Monday 31st. Help find the ingredients for a secret Stowe potion, learn some chants and spells, and enjoy the magical colours that can be found there.
