What’s on this weekend
FRI 8 – SUN 10 JUNE
EVENT: Gap Festival, Streatley and Goring, Fringe Festival, Thurs 7 – Wed 13 June, Main Festival, Thurs 14 – Sun 17 June
Heads up for this jam packed festival of music, arts, talks, family activities, comedy, theatre and more in Goring and Streatley that kicks off this week with a pre-festival fringe. Live music in pubs and hotels, a Wind in the Willows day at Withymead Nature Reserve, a children’s drama day, heritage walks and workshops get you ready for the main event, starting on Thurs 14. Mica Paris headlines in the festival marquee on Sat 16 with a family festival fun day on the Sunday. Such is the variety on offer here that you can learn what it takes to make a Chelsea Gold garden with Joe Swift, join talented 2016 Funny Women Award winner Harriet Braine for a comic history of art lesson through song, amble round the open gardens or try a drumming workshop. So much to do, so little time.
The Little Welly Goes Wild, Henley, Sat 9 – Sun 10 June
Persil at the ready? Then I’ll begin. Bigger, better and muddier than ever, the UK’s biggest children’s obstacle course returns for the fourth year to the Culden Faw Estate in Henley. We’re talking 30 obstacles over a 3km course for kids 4+ (and they’re parents – sorry about that!) braving The Big Slide, Tyre Mangle, mud and water pits, Spider’s Web and bouncing round the foam pit. Away from the race’s there’s Laser Tag, Parkour demonstrations & workshops, pony rides, den building and bungee trampolining. Seriously good fun.
Open Air Cinema, Newbury Racecourse Fri 8 – Sat 9 Jun
PVC thigh high boots never looked so good. Ah the romance of prostitution and the mega rich. It’s Cinderella, if she’d spent a few months in a crack house. But you can’t beat Julia Robert and Richard Gere in this classic rom-com. Embrace the nostalgia fest at Newbury Racecourse. Plus you can see the hit movie of the year The Greatest Showman, Sat 9 June.
lunacinema.com/newbury-racecourse
Game of Clues: Murder Mystery, Cliveden National Trust, Sat 2 Jun – 15 Jul
Murder mystery at Cliveden, you say? I’ll be there clutching my pearls in a Miss Marple styles. Following last year’s crime caper, there’s a brand new outdoor mystery to solve. Cliveden’s head butler has turned up dead on the estate. Mr Butter, a rather unsavory character, was discovered fallen off his chair and smelling of whisky; but how did he get there…? Time to play detective.
Windsor Antiques Fair, Windsor Racecourse, Fri 8 – Sun 10 Jun
Comedy In the Brewery, Windsor & Eton Brewery, Sat 9 Jun
Craft beer and comedy, it’s a match made in a brewery. Nothing like a few lagers (don’t panic, they’re serving wine too) to get the giggles at this very cool comedy club, live from the factory floor at Eton and Windsor Brewery. Crack on and organise the proverbial p*** up.
War of the Roses Live, Warwick Castle, Sat 9 – Sat 30 June
Pledge your allegiance in an epic battle for the English Throne! Yup, it’s time for the reenactment brigade, with stunt riders, jousting and special effects. There’s also a castle that’s quite interesting, apparently. Head to Warwick Castle, grab your kids, borrow one or two from a friend and get yourself for War of the Roses Live. Eye rolling emoji…only in Britain
Giffords Circus: My Beautiful Circus, touring now until 30 Sept
This year the inimitable Giffords Circus is celebrating 250 years since the birth of the Big Top with its new summer show My Beautiful Circus in a new handmade tent with plush red velvet seats (grateful bottoms everywhere. It’s all brilliantly bonkers with Cuban acrobats, Nell on horseback and Tweedy the clown plus a talking turkey and the Russian dachshunds. It’s in Oxfordshire throughout June, it then heads off to Chiswick House before setting up the big top in Windsor Great Park in July.
Love Marlow Festival, Marlow, Bucks, Fri 1 – Sun 17 June
Yes, we do love Marlow. The river, the restaurants, the shops, it’s certainly a happening town that Muddy likes to frequent. The Love Marlow Festival has a list of events as long as your arm with the aim to ‘strengthen relationships, promote kindness, volunteering and fun’. Fun stuff includes taster sessions of watersports at Longridge Activity Centre, Kids Fun Cycle, Princess and the Pinot Pop-up wine bar (my ears prick up) and Coopers Love Marlow afternoon music session. Marlow is gorgeous of course and there’s a great community spirit in the town so it’s definitely worth checking out.
STAYING IN
Well, you can’t go out every night, can you? Adjourn to the sofa on Sunday nights from 10 June for the new season of Poldark (I think that field needs scything, Ross, just pop your top off) – tune in from 9pm. More guilty pleasures? Oh alright then, Love Island returns to ITV2 on 4 June at 9pm – a hotbed of hormones seeking a summer of *cough* love. Or fire up Netflix for the all-female reboot of the iconic Ghostbusters movie, or Grace Jones: Bloodlight and Bami, a documentary about the brilliantly bonkers singer who headlines at Henley Festival this year.
The Little Welly Goes Wild, Henley, Sat 9 – Sun 10 June
Persil at the ready? Then I’ll begin. Bigger, better and muddier than ever, the UK’s biggest children’s obstacle course returns for the fourth year to the Culden Faw Estate in Henley. We’re talking 30 obstacles over a 3km course for kids 4+ (and they’re parents – sorry about that!) braving The Big Slide, Tyre Mangle, mud and water pits, Spider’s Web and bouncing round the foam pit. Away from the race’s there’s Laser Tag, Parkour demonstrations & workshops, pony rides, den building and bungee trampolining. Seriously good fun.
Chalke Valley History Festival, Church Farm Nr Salisbury, Wilts, 25 June – 1 July
If you and your kids love Horrible Histories, dressing up and a game of spot the celeb then book up for the Chalke Valley History Festival nr Salisbury in wiltshire. It is absolutely HUUUUUUGE! This 7 day summer jaunt is dedicated entirely to history in the UK, it’s set across 70 acres with enactments, sword school, a trench experience and more more more. It’s an awesome day out – A* in History almost guaranteed.
Open Air Cinema, Douai Pavillion Woolhampton, Sat 22 July
Ah Ryan Gosling, you gorgeous specimen of man. Sorry, he stars in La La Land with Emma Stone. Yes it’s a musical of the old school variety, yes it is romantic and if you haven’t seen this Oscar winning hit, now’s your chance. Go, just for Ryan. He’s, I mean it’s, magic. Birch Associates Events are hosting at the idyllic Douai Pavilion in Woolhampton – £15 ticket priceincludes a deckchair. There’s a full bar, hog roast, burgers, hot dogs, candy floss, popcorn, ice creams. Doors open at 5pm for a 7pm viewing. Fab night out with family and friends. birchassociates.co.uk
