MON 7 – SUN 13 MAY

Royal Windsor Horse Show, Windsor,  Wed 9- Wed 16 May

Giddiup! The Royal Windsor Horse Show’s one of the hottest horsey events in the UK. Her Maj and Prince Philip are almost guaranteed to make an appearance (well, it is in their backyard), and the many of the Royal famalam drop in. Expect to see top flight show jumping, dressage, fun kids events, with a bit of pomp and ceremony from the Household Cavalry. It”s a fun, family affair, so trot on and grab a ticket. rwhs.co.uk

 

DollyWould, South Street Arts Reading, Thu 10 May

Love Dolly? Who doesn’t?! (Fingers planted in ears to the haters) I love her and by all accounts so do Louise Mothersole and Rebecca Biscuit, the award-winning duo behind Sh!t Theatre. Part theatrical improv, part performance art, SH!t Theatre are renowned for their political satires, but their new show puts the plastic and utterly fantastic Dolly Parton under the microscope. The show was a 100% sell out at Edinburgh Fringe, so book up. readingarts.com/south-street 

 

Hungerford Board Games Night, Town Hall Hungerford, Fri 11 May

Ditch the remote and prize your bottom off the sofa – it’s Game Night! Hungerford Board Games Night is back and offers the perfect opportunity to unplug and battle to the end with the throw of a dice. Get social with a crowd of board game bandits, grab on of the board games or bring one of your own. Some games have naughty adult humour (ooh matron) – suitable for 16+. It costs £3 on the door, fun starts at 7.30pm-11pm.

 

Lynn Chadwick, Cliveden National Trust Taplow, now – Oct 2018

If you loved the Benar Venet sculptures at Cliveden last year, then the new installation of English sculpture and artist Lynn Chadwick’s awesome abstract metal works inspired by the human form and natural world. His big, bold sculptural pieces are doted around the grounds. Take a stroll, admire and then pop into Cliveden House for afternoon tea or lunch at the Astor Grill. nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden

 

Comedy In The Brewery, Windsor & Eton Brewery, Sat 12 May

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 Windsor and Eton Brewery. Crack on and organise the proverbial p*** up. brewerycomedy.com/windsor

 

Family Fun Day, Windsor Racecourse, Mon 7 May

No ned to bankrupt yourself over the bank holiday weekend keeping the rug rats enterained, Windsor Racecourse to the rescue. Its annual Family Fun Day is back and for the first time ever the rides are all free as a bean. Yup, they’ll cost nada. There’s an inflatable assault course, dodgems, ferris wheel, pony rides, dragon coaster and loads more. Grown ups have to pay to get in, but under 18s are FREE. windsor-racecourse.co.uk

 

Friday Night Pop Up Bar, Douai Pavillion Woolhampton, from Fri 11 May

Fancy sitting in the sunshine with stunning views across the Berkshire countryside, while your kids safely run feral outside playing games? Sign me up, baby. I’m thinking chilled rosés and gin and tonics and bit of food. This utopia is a reality. Throughout the summer, the lovely team at Birch Associates Events will be running a pop up bar at Douai Pavillion in Woolhampton every Friday night. If you’re in the area, pop in and pop that cork. douaipark.org.uk

 

BalletBoyz, Hexagon Reading, Fri 11 May

There’s more to these boyz than a beautiful carved physique and the agility of a gazelle, the BalletBoyz are ridiculously talented and the fact they all look pretty hot is just a billy bonus for the rest of us. The company will perform four brand new works, Fourteen Days – named because all choreography and music was created in just 2 weeks – and then return for a crowd-pleaser. A visual treat. readingarts.com/heaxagon

 

Caversham Arts Trail, various locations, 12-13 and 18-20 May

Hot on the heels of the Henley Arts Trail is this one based around Caversham and Emmer Green, north of Reading. Visit the studios, workshops, homes and gardens of 37 talented local artists (including Julie Simmonds & David Pope Ceramics, above). See their latest projects, ask questions, buy their art and be inspired! 37 artists in 17 venues the trail runs across two weekends: Sat 12 & Sun 13 May and Fri 18, Sat 19 & Sun 20 May, 11am – 5pm. www.cavershamartstrail.co.uk

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A Shot In the Saddle, Queen’s Walk Plaza Reading, Sat 12 May

Great for teens and tech obsessives who could do with seeing daylight – vitamin D levels running dangerously low. A Shot in The Saddle is a murder mystery treasure hunt against the clock. Reading is the set for this real life whodunnit, fusing live action, escape room style puzzles  and cryptic clue cracking using smartphones. #WhoKilledGideonUp ashotinthesaddle.com

 

Patterns Photographic Exhibition, Forbury Place Reading, Wed 9 May

Gawd, I wish I could take a good pic. I guess that’s the difference between an iPhone snap and an expensive camera used by someone who knows what they are doing. Anyhoo, see how the pros do it at the Photographic Angle’s FREE exhibition called Patterns. The photographers have captured hidden geometry that surrounds us, including this image by Tony Sellen called Lines. thephotographicangle.co.uk

 

Open Studio: 30 Years, West Berks and North Hants, now – Thu 31 May

Amazing art in open studios and private spaces across West Berkshire and North Hampshire throughout May and totally free! Simply go to the Open Studios website, find an artist and pop along for a nose. The main exhibition is INSIGHT at Arlington Arts Centre where 123 artists will show their pieces. My faves include Tom Cartmill’s drawings at his Burghfield studio and textile artist Sarah Moorcroft (she’s worked for everyone from Monsoon to Missoni) at Lower Way Farm Thatcham. openstudios.org.uk

 

Carters Vintage Fun Fair, Pinkneys Green Maidenhead, Sat 12 – Sun 13 May

Scream if you wanna go faster! If you love a funfair with its distinctive aroma of diesel, hot dogs and candy floss, then get yourself down to Palmer Park. Carters Steam Fair rolls into Reading with its spinny whizzy rides dating back to the 1890s and traditional games. Plus it’s free to enter and there’s a free fireworks display on Saturday night. carterssteamfair.co.uk. 

 

The Design Museum, London, from Thurs 10 May to Sun 7 Oct

Fascinating exhibition of the sculptor turned couturier, Azzedine Alaïa, who found fans in Michelle Obama, Rhianna and Grace Jones, with his flair for couture and refusal to stick to fashion week deadlines. designmuseum.org