PICK OF THE MONTH

If you’re a crafty type, we’ve got more workshops happening in Berkshire this month than you can toss a paintbrush at. Start at the Base at Greenham – the holy grail of all things creative. Their Master Crafter programme is celebrating National Craft Month this March with a series of workshops including Painting & Prosecco (Thu 6 Mar), Creative Mindfulness: Rejuvenate (Sat 8 Mar), Painting on Silk (Thu 13 Mar), Living Spring Wreath (Sat 29 Mar), and many, many more. It’s the perfect opportunity to try something new, make new pals, and just take a bit of time for ourselves. Desperately needed if you ask me.

I sampled the Painting & Prosecco class to get a sneak peek of what to expect and it was fantastic. Resident artist Richard Francis Bellin has the patience of a saint, guiding you through nifty insider techniques to create your masterpiece, and let’s be honest, if anything can get the creative juices flowing, it’s a glass of fizz. I’m no Picasso, but by the end I sure did feel like one. My woodland creation now sits pride of place in the kitchen.

FOOD & DRINK

Calling all pawty animals! POP+BARK (proudly featured on Dragons’ Den & Fearne McCann’s First Time Mum) are unleashing the hounds in Reading with their intergalactic dog café events. It’s basically a rave for pooches, with time slots for a variety of breeds including Cockapoo, Golden Retriever, Cavalier, Dachshund, Labrador, and Cocker Spaniel. Expect bubbles, treats, games, disco, a pop-up shop, and a Pupuccino Bar where you can grab them a Cosmic Pup Cup with starry sprinkles and a meteor biscuit. Yum. Coffee, cocktails, and small plates available for humans too. Taking place at Revolucion de Cuba Reading on Sun 2 March. Grab tickets here.

Don’t forget the best day of the year takes place this month giving you every excuse to stuff your face with batter by the stack-load. Test your pancakes mettle at a handful of charity pancake races happening across the county. There’s Maidenhead (4 Mar), Windsor, Eton, and Ascot (4 Mar), and Reading (4 Mar), and let’s just say, competition is stiff.

seasonality maidenhead supper clubs things to do march near me

Seasonality in Maidenhead’s supper clubs have a pretty cult following, so you’ll have to be quick if you want to nab a seat at the table at their next one happening on Sat 29 Mar. £69.50pp and worth every penny. Lots of other supper clubs happening this month including The Greyhound in Finchamptead’s secret supper club on 28 Mar which is celebrating the shoots of spring using the finest produce from Dorset, Devon and Cornwall alongside vegetables from natures larder, paired with wines from Stanlake Park.

Additionally, there’s also the newly announced Evening with Gizzi Erskine at Thames Lido (7 Mar) in celebration of International Women’s Day. The evening supports charity Smart Works Reading and sees a night of delicious food, raffles, and an exclusive fashion sale. Spa upgrades before dinner are also available. Sign me up.

Not enough? Strap in. Stuff back buckets of cheese at The Retreat at Elcot Park’s Taste of the Alps dining experience on 25 Mar. Roux at Skindles are hosting a four-course Portuguese Dinner on 13 Mar with canapés and cocktail reception, then don’t miss The Belgian Arms in Holyport take on a wine paired Italian Night (19 Mar).

Wine and cheese served for a friendly party in a bar or a restaurant. things to do march berkshire

Cheers! Make for Goat on the Roof who are giving me just a little (I said little) ray of hope for sunnier days to come. On 6 Mar enjoy a journey through Germany’s best wines, meanwhile on 20 Mar you’ll be hitting up Spain and her islands.

Who run the world? Girls! Celebrate International Women’s Day in style this year at Stanlake Park. They are running an International Women’s Day Wine Tasting Special on 14 Mar which celebrates some of the most incredible female winemakers from across the world. Get booking with the leading ladies in your life. For even more fizzy fun, check out Argentina’s Hidden Gems Wine Tasting (7 Mar), The No & Low Alcohol Wine Tasting (20 Mar), and Italian Red Wines Tasting (21 Mar).

One event just doesn’t cut it when celebrating the powerful women in our lives. Take yourself down to The Plough at Shiplake on 8 Mar for their special International Women’s Day night filled with music, food, and fundraising.

MUSIC

music discos near me things to do this month near me

Apparently March is the month to crack out your disco sequins. Head to Ascot Racecourse for an 80s Silent Disco (8 Mar) with 3 DJs on the decks playing all the hits. You might look a bit mad getting down in a totally silent room with hundreds of fellow ravers, but hey, it’s half the fun. LED headphones provided and there will be stunning illuminations too. Take to water for the Disco Night on the Upper Thames (15 Mar), or Gourmet Pasta Co in Newbury are hosting an interactive DJ workshop combined with a delicious 3-course meal on 4 & 12 Mar. Banging.

COMEDY

Warmer days may be on the horizon, but we could all still do with a bit of a laugh. Start in Reading where Ania Magliano kicks off the fun at South Street (1 Mar) following two critically acclaimed sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe. On 20 Mar Suzi Ruffell also comes to South Street as she warms up ahead of her brand-new UK tour, then there’s the regular Stand and Deliver Comedy at Reading Biscuit Factory happening 27 Mar which is always a good crack.

Over in Windsor, you can catch Sara Pascoe on 2 Mar who is renowned for her sharp wit and unique insights, and is supported by a number of other comedians on the night. Also at Theatre Royal Windsor, Mane Chance Comedy Night is back for another night of fun featuring some of the top comedians in the game. Returning to the line-up this year is legend Brian Conley, Joe Pasquale, Terry Alderton, Mandy Muden, Steve Hewlett, and more. Snap up remaining tickets while they last. On 30 Mar.

Mikey Bligh-Smith comedian relais henley comedy night near me

Meanwhile, Josh Weller and Bella Hull warm up ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Curve Venue in Slough on 13 Mar. The fabulous Honk! comedy clubs rolls up at The Relais Henley on 27 Mar with a gamut of top talent. Earlier in the month there will be a special Comedy Night at Henley’s River & Rowing Museum (22 Mar) with woodfired sourdough pizza courtesy of Fire and Hop.

MOTHER’S DAY

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Make a note, it’s 30 March. Fill her home with flowers with a bit more panache than dropping a bunch of £1 daffs into a vase. Suitable for beginners and intermediates, this Mother’s Day Floristry Workshop at The Great House Sonning (30 Mar) will teach you all the tricks of the trade with the gorgeous backdrop of the private garden and river to help inspire you. £65pp.

For a Mother’s Day activity with a twist, treat Mum to a delicious Crafternoon Tea at the Corn Exchange Newbury (30 Mar) whilst getting your creative cap on making your own macrame plant hanger. Across four hours you’ll enjoy a fully tutored session before stuffing back three tiers of scones, sweets, and sarnies. Taking place in the Balcony Bar for £49pp. There’s Mother’s Day Candle Making at Stubbings Nursery Maidenhead (29 Mar) should you fancy it too.

If anything’s guaranteed to get mum’s heart racing it’s a night spent with Jason Donovan at The Hexagon in Reading (29 Mar). He’ll be taking his fans on a journey through 35 years of hits on stage and screen, bringing his trademark swag and high energy performance. Tickets are flying off the shelf but there’s still space on the balcony. From £34.50.

More inspo coming right up! Take your mini chef and head to The Cookery Lab in Aldermaston for an afternoon tea workshop for two (29 Mar) where you’ll learn to make three fancy tiers of yum. Over the border, Oxford’s Roald Dahl Museum are running a Matilda Mother’s Day Walk (30 Mar) which for a tenner includes entry, a trail, and homemade cake and coffee on your return. At Reading Biscuit Factory there’s Mother’s Day Fizz Tasting on 26 Mar, then a DIY Skincare Workshop (29 Mar) at Miles Green Farm where you’ll create your own bespoke skincare products.

See our full guide to local Mother’s Day experiences here.

OUTDOORS

daffodil walks berkshire — Lower Bowden Manor © Clive Nichols

Unleash the daffs! There’s lots of spots to see blooms of gold around Berkshire starting from this month. Check out Basildon Park, Cliveden, and Greys Court for your National Trust hotties. The Valley Gardens in Windsor Great Park always have an impressive display, but for a unique experience Lower Bowden Manor in Pangbourne are opening this year as part of the National Garden Scheme with an entire orchard stacked with daffodils. Stubbings House in Maidenhead are also swinging open on 15 & 16 Mar with plumes of yellow.

If you need a reason to put one foot in front of the other, a ghostly walk around Windsor should do it. It takes place in the dark as Blue Badge Tourist Guide Debbie Keenan recalls stories of the local spooks and thousands of years of history. On 5 Mar.

You glow, girl! Who said paddleboarding was a summer thing? On 1 & 16 Mar, experience Dinton Pastures Country Park like never before with a Full Moon Glow Paddle on the serene waters of Black Swan Lake. Just the peaceful sounds of the night and the shimmering reflections on the water? Sounds like heaven.

whats on near me march ascot spring family raceday

Before you face plant into a giant chocolate egg come Easter, polish your parental halo and enjoy a day out at Ascot’s Spring Family Raceday on Sun 30 Mar. It’s a fab event with loooooads to entertain the kids, from roaming entertainers to face painting and countryside crafts. Tickets from £25.

Over in Newbury the skies will be a riot of colour as hundreds of drones take to the sky as part of the Starlight Spectacular Drone Show at Newbury Racecourse. Expect a staggering 35 minute show, fully narrated and set to a cinematic soundtrack. Bring the whole fam – under 4s go free. On 29 Mar.

THEATRE

It’s 10s across the board for Strictly royalty with Anton Du Beke at the Musicals (4 Mar) heading soon to a stage near you. Anton and his crew of backing dancers and live singers will be pulling out all the stops to perform a variety of songs and dances from some of his favourite musicals. Mr Showbiz never looked better. It’s at The Hexagon Reading, but lots more where that came from. Catch Rick Stein as he chats about his lifelong affair with cooking on 10 Mar before listening to Ben Fogle recall his wild stories from expeditions all around the world (31 Mar). Riveting stuff.

If you want to catch original shows in a pretty location, Newbury’s The Watermill Theatre, is the place to head for its high quality and creative offering, which over the coming weeks includes The Autobiography of a Cad (7 Feb – 22 Mar) – a hilarious new adaptation of A.G. Macdonell’s satirical masterpiece. There’s also the Watermill Youth Ensemble production of Emil and the Detectives on 27 – 29 Mar too.

Down the road, The Corn Exchange Newbury have kids classic The Gruffalo on 7 – 9 Mar – a charming live-action retelling of the story that will leave kids aged 3 and up howling with laughter. There’s a pre-show workshop on the 9 Mar FYI. If not, try TRASH! on 5 Mar or the groundbreaking adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the D’Ubervilles on 18 Mar. See it before it ends: The Mill at Sonning’s It Runs in the Family finishes on 12 Apr and is worth a watch, especially for the two course meal included in your ticket.

WORKSHOPS

sip and paint near me whats on berkshire march

Looking to refine or discover a new skill? You’ve come to the right place. For slinging colour onto canvas, head to Old Butchers Wine Cellar in Cookham for a Sip & Paint Event on 19 Mar where you can choose from Erin Hansen or Damien Hirst to draw your inspo. Similar vibes at The Cocktail Club Reading on 12 Mar where the drinks and paints will be flowing freely. But if one night simply doesn’t cut it, enjoy an entire weekend of wonderful watercolour with artist Nicola Watters at The Retreat at Elcot Park (21 Mar). For £220 you’ll enjoy good food, drink, and painting aplenty.

For something a little different, you’ll want to head to Windsor. Molton Brown have a Fragrance Masterclass on 4 Mar inside their store where you’ll be guided through a sensory journey of iconic fragrances with some themed cocktails and sweet treats to help you on your merry way. A complimentary goody bag worth £40 to take home is the cherry on top. Tickets £50. Meanwhile, Windsor Great Park have toooons of activities to see you through March and beyond. Check out Forest Yoga, Cane Basket Weaving, Wildlife Photography, and Japanese Botanical Printing.

charlotte manser ceramics workshops near me

I’m pretty obsessed with the workshops at Charlotte Manser Ceramics’ gorgeous studio in South Fawley. You’ll want to make like the wind to snag a spot at the Mindful Pottery Day Retreat on 9 Mar where you’ll hand build pottery before enjoying guided meditative journaling and sensory drawing. Soooo relaxing. Lunch and drinks are included in your £85 ticket and worth every penny. Across the other side of Berkshire, The Plough at Shiplake are stepping into spring with a Spring Wreath Making Workshop (6 Mar) that includes a delish two-course lunch.

Then, if you’ve got your own thing going on, but just fancy a change of scenery, head to South Hill Park where you can knit, sew, crochet, embroider or scrapbook with Florence Pugh and Andrew Garfield for company. Their monthly Crafty Cinema events are new in the cultural calendar with this month’s movie being We Live in Time (Sun 9 Mar). Lights will be left on so no risk of impaling yourself with knitting needles.

For the foodies, Muddy faves Bombay Story in Maidenhead have an Indian adult cookery course happening on 17 Mar where you’ll learn how to cook curry and street food dishes, followed by a delicious one course meal and complimentary glass of wine or pint of beer. £60pp. Become a sushi jedi at Hurley House Hotel with a Sushi Masterclass Experience taking place on 1 & 29 Mar with expert Chef Tomono Davies for a tutor. To top it all off, roll yourself over to Nettlebed Creamery in Henley for a Cheese Making workshop (27 Mar) that’s hands-on, delish, and a right laugh.

BOOKS

It’s World Book Day (6 Mar) this month, so every reason to celebrate. Hungerford Bookshop is always the place to go for a starry line-up of literary royalty. This March, Barney Campbell (1 Mar) and Colin Heber-Percy (19 Mar) drop by to chat about their new releases. Over in Windsor, enjoy an Evening with Tom Parker Bowles (6 Mar) at the Castle Hotel as the Queen’s son chats all things British cuisine. In case you didn’t know, the next book from The Hunger Games universe drops this month and to celebrate, Waterstones Reading are throwing a special early release breakfast club (18 Mar) with refreshments, activites, and freebies.

Naturally, Heckfield Place, just a smidge over the Berks border is the place to be for the most glam of events. House & Garden magazine editor Clare Foster and photographer Andrew Montgomery will be doing a special talk on 6 Mar about their new book Pastoral Gardens. Lionel Shriver will be at The Odney Club in Cookham to chat about her latest release on 28 Mar, but for an all-out literary bonanza, break for the borders to the Farnham Literary Festival (6 – 16 Mar) where you can enjoy talks and activities from big names including Lorraine Kelly, David Walliams, Santa Montefiore, and more.

WELLBEING

Wim Hof Method Workshop at Wasing Estate Berkshire

If you want to do wellbeing the luxury way, look no further than gorgeous Wasing Estate. Lots going on at their stunning lakeside venue that’s nestled in bucolic, secluded woodlands. Choose from Spring Equinox Celebration (20 Mar), Yin Yoga & Crystal Bowl Sound Healing (28 Mar), Sound Bath (7 Mar), Elevate Day Retreat (15 Mar), Breathwork & Ice Bath Day Retreat (8 Mar), and Connect To The Elements (22 Mar).

Spring is a time for growth and new beginnings. Head to beautiful Soul Barns in Mortimer for enough wellbeing workshops to transform you into a totally new woman. The Sound Bath and Reiki for Women (23 Mar), Kundalini Activation (15 Mar), Celeste Circle (15 Mar), and Gong Bath Meditation (6 Mar) have all caught my eye.

Any excuse for a lie down. Celebrate International Women’s Day and lose yourself to the soothing sounds of a live cello at the Retreat Yoga & Sound with Cello & Lunch (8 Mar) at The Bisley Yurt & Studio which sounds literally heaven-sent.

ART & EXHIBITIONS

Hop over the border to Henley for the Space Vault Exhibition at the River and Rowing Museum. Using immersive audio and visuals, and comprising one of the UK’s largest private collections of space artefacts, the exhibition tells the thrilling story of human spaceflight above the Earth and to the Moon, from the Apollo program and Soviet space era, to the Space Shuttle. There’s a purpose-built lunar landscape, wrapped around the entire Gallery with a countdown every 20 minute to launch the visitor’s experience with deafening sounds and astonishing imagery. On display until the end of June.

Stanley Spencer Gallery exhibitions things to do locally march

Fan of Stan? The new exhibition at the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham High Street is here. This time it’s Seeing the Unseen: Reality and Imagination in the Art of Stanley Spencer. On now until 30 Mar, the collection explores the autobiographical, personal and strangely mysterious, and sometimes beyond comprehension of an unseeing eye which is present in Stanley’s work. Tickets from £3.50.

Mad March! What’s on locally this month

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