Santa’s Grottos and Big Christmas Days Out

Christmas Cracker at Odds Farm Park

• Dates: 29th November to 24th December 2024 (selected dates)
• SEN sessions: 29th November & 1st, 6th and 8th December 2024
• Details: Enjoy a magical festive experience with a private visit to Father Christmas in his Grotto, make your own cuddly bear, and pick a Christmas Cracker gift. Create reindeer food, watch interactive shows, and enjoy enchanting Tree Twinklelight and Acapella Penguin performances.
• Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
• Price: From £34.95 per child (aged 2–15) including farm admission, £19.00 for under-2s (free without Christmas participation), and £15.95 for adults.
  Book tickets here

Father Christmas at the Farm at Hogshaw Farm

• Dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2024
• SEN sessions: 23rd, 24th and 30th November 2024
• Details: Step into a winter wonderland at Hogshaw Farm, where you can meet real reindeer, plant a mini Christmas tree, and make reindeer food. Enjoy a private visit with Father Christmas on his red tractor, share your wish-list, and receive a special present from the Toy Workshop. Warm up by the fire, play in the snowball pits, and indulge in festive treats.
• Location: Buckingham, Bucks
• Price: From £29.95 per child (2+), 24.95 for under 2s (participating) and £14.45 per adult. Concession tickets available.
  Book here

Magical Christmas Experience at Chobham Adventure Farm

• Dates: 30th November to 24th December 2024 (selected dates) The Reindeer Lodge is also open from 16th – 24th November and 27th to 31st December (selected dates)
• Details: Join the festive fun at Chobham Adventure Farm, where you can earn your Official Sleigh Licence, meet real reindeer, and take part in epic snowball fights with the elves. Enjoy a private visit with Father Christmas, help Caraticus the Inventor, and mix up some magical reindeer food. Choose a present from the Toy Shop and capture plenty of photo moments.
• Location: Chobham, Surrey
• Price: From £35.95 per child (age 3+), Toddlers from £25.95 (age 1 & 2), under-1s £9.95, adults from £25.95. Save £5pp if booked before 30th September.
  Book tickets here

Jake’s Magical Christmas Grotto Experience

• Dates: 30th November to 24th December 2024 (selected dates)
• Details: Enjoy a fun-filled sleigh ride to find the naughty elves. Call Santa on his special “hotline,” then meet him for a gift. Enjoy festive treats like mince pies for adults and biscuits for children, and get creative in Santa’s Gingerbread Factory. Don’t forget to visit the farm and meet Santa’s other helpers!
• Location: Sandhurst, Berkshire
• Price: From £29.95 per child and £14.95 per adult.
  Book tickets here

The Magical Christmas Adventure at 4 Kingdoms Adventure Park

• Dates: 23rd November to 24th December 2024
• SEN sessions: 19th December
• Details: Hop onto Santa’s Shuttle and embark on a magical journey to Santa’s Cabin, where the friendly elves guide you through the Glacier Theater and Enchanted Forest. Cheer on performers, throw snowballs, and build memories with a new 2024 theatrical show. Enjoy a private visit with Santa, make reindeer food, and choose a toy from Santa’s Toy Shop. Capture family photos around the Sparkle Copse and stroll through a snowy village.
• Location: Newbury, Berkshire
• Price: From £43.50 per child, £33.50 per adult and £13.50 for participating under 1’s. Under 1s free (not participating) with a paying sibling.
  Book tickets here

Christmas at Mead Open Farm

• Dates: 30th November to 24th December 2024 (selected dates)
• Details: Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, decorate gingerbread men with Mother Christmas, and help find the magic at Christmas HQ. Wander through The Magical Forest, make reindeer food, and create your own cuddly toy at the Make a Bear Workshop.
• Location: Billington, Bedfordshire
• Price: From £40 per child (1–15), £15 for under-1s, and from £30 for adults.
  Book tickets here

Vintage Christmas Grotto at Bletchley Park

• Dates: 1st to 23rd December 2024
• SEN session: 30th November 2024
• Details: . Families will have a private visit to meet Father Christmas, chat, and receive a special Christmas gift. Photos are encouraged, with an elf available to help capture the moment. Don’t forget to pick up a free puzzle trail at admissions!
• Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
• Price: £14 per child for the Grotto. Adults and older children require standard admission (£23.40 for adults, £15.75 for 12–17 years, free for under-12s).
  Book tickets here

Santa’s Grotto at Denham Country Park

• Dates: 5th, 11th and 19th December 2024
• Details: A magical visit to Santa’s Grotto, including a nature trail and a gift for each child.
• Location: Denham, Buckinghamshire
• Price: £5 per child.
  Book tickets here

Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Garden Centres

• Dates: 28th November to 24th December 2024 (selected dates)
• Details: Meet Santa at participating Dobbies locations, including Aylesbury and Milton Keynes.
• Price: £12.99 per child; photo add-ons available.
  Book tickets here

The post Your Bumper Guide to Christmas 2024 Events in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, and Surrounding Areas appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Black Park

Located in Wexham, Buckinghamshire, Black Park Country Park has always been one of our favourite woodland walks. There are lots of pram friendly paths around the lake and through the woods. There is a kiosk serving drinks and snacks when you first walk in from the car park, but also a cafe on the otherwide of the lake. The main cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the lake. You’ll find a brilliant playground next to the cafe which was renovated in recent years. We love walking here in the Autumn as the woods are full of mushrooms and we’ve even spotted the magical red and white toadstool mushroom, the fly agaric.

There are lots of additional activities available at Black Park, including Tots Go Wild forest school on Friday mornings, which we’ve been to and really enjoy. Go Ape have a treetop and nets adventure there – read our Go Ape nets adventure review.

Cost: Free, just pay for parking.

Location & parking: Black Park Country Park, Black Park Road, Wexham. Parking costs from £3.90  for 2 hours.

Sat nav: SL3 6DS

Wendover Woods

There is an amazing play trail at Wendover Woods which is a 1 mile loop with loads of wooden play stops along the way with obstacles to climb, tunnels to crawl through and an amazing mud kitchen. They also have an interactive Gruffalo orienteering course which you can pick up a map for £1.50 at the information desk. Plus there’s GoApe for older kids! All of this makes Wendover Woods a really fun place to go for a woodland walk, with plenty to keep little ones entertained.

There is a lovely cafe with both indoor and outdoor seating and a good range of food on offer.

Cost: Free, just pay for parking.

Location & parking: Wendover Woods, Upper Icknield Way, Aston Clinton, Aylesbury. Parking costs from £2 per hour.

Sat nav: HP22 5NQ

Hughenden

There are several woodland trails on the Hughenden National Trust estate of various lengths. They all lead back to the main house and a brilliant natural play area created from giant fallen logs with walkways, a climbing rope and stepping stones. There is a cafe with indoor seating at the house and the promise of a hot chocolate and playground at the end is always a good incentive to keep little legs walking!

There are often family friendly activities and trails running at Hughenden so it’s worth checking out the website before you go.

Cost: £15.40 for adults and £7.70 for children, or £38.50 for a family ticket. Free entry for National Trust members. Our joint membership for me and my husband costs just £10 a month (under 5’s are free) Click here to join as a member (affiliate link).

Location & parking: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP14 4LA

Sat nav: Note that the postcode doesn’t work in all sat navs so follow the brown National Trust signs for Hughenden when you get closer.

Burnham Beeches

The ancient woodlands are beautiful and there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained along the way too. They are particularly stunning in the Autumn with the floor covered in a thick carpet of fallen leaves. The woodlands are huge at 540 acres and is a mix of woodland, heath, wood pasture and wetland. There are loads of informal paths and many different circular routes that you can take. If you click onto our review of Burnham Beeches you will find a map of our favourite route to take and details of the sensory trail.

Cost: Free, just pay for parking.

Location & parking: Lord Mayors Drive, Farnham Common, Slough. Parking charges are up to 2 hours £1.50 over 2 hours £3 on weekdays and weekends and bank/public holidays: £3 per day.

Sat nav: SL2 3PS

Cliveden National Trust

The Cliveden National Trust estate is huge and one part of it is a beautiful woodland area. You can access this area either from the main car park, if you continue walking past the water garden, or you can park down at the woodland car park. There are lovely views of the river Thames from parts of the woodland walk and also views of Cliveden House. There is also a play trail in the woods, to make it more fun for little legs and Clive’s Den, a little den and picnic area.

Up in the water garden area there is a lovely story book themed playground, so make sure you don’t miss this.

Cost: £17 for adults and £8.50 for children, or £42.50 for a family ticket. Free entry for National Trust members. Click here to join as a member (affiliate link).

Location & parking: Cliveden Rd, Taplow, Maidenhead. Parking is free.

Sat nav:SL1 8NS

Basildon Park

Basildon Park is a beautiful National Trust property in Berkshire, near Reading. On first glance you might think there’s not much for the kids here, but if you head up to the woodlands there is children’s play trail running all the way through it.

The first two stops on the Basildon Park play trail are ball runs. I recommend taking your own balls as you have to pay to rent them and they aren’t always available. A tennis ball or similar would do. After that just carry on along the trail and you’ll find obstacles to walk over, a random height chart, stepping stones, running track, bug hotel, den building and more! You can find full details of the play trail and download the map on my Basildon Park Play Trail review.

They also have another Autumn themed children’s trail running at the moment which you can pick up from the information desk.

Cost: Entry to Basildon Park for a one off visit is £15 for adults, £7.50 for children or £37.50 for a family ticket. If you are planning to visit a National Trust estate more than 4 times in a year then it’s worth getting a membership.Click here to become a National Trust member.

Location & parking: Lower Basildon, Reading. Free parking onsite.

Sat nav:RG8 9NR

Hodgemoor Woods

These woods are near Chalfont St Giles and another of my favourites to go for a walk. There are often lots of horses riding through the woods as there are several stables and riding schools nearby. There isn’t anything here other than the woods, no cafe, toilets, play area, but they are a beautiful walk and there are often lots of den building sites around. You can read my review of Hodgemoor Woods here.

Cost: Free.

Location & parking: Car park is just off Bottrell’s Lane in Seer Green. There is free parking onsite.

Sat nav: HP8 4EQ

Swinley Forest

We often visit here as part of a visit to the Look Out Discovery Centre, a hands on science exhibition for children. There is a fantastic playground next to the Look Out Discovery Centre and you can visit the playground for free. There is also a cafe kiosk with outdoor seating and the food is really good!

There are loads of walking and bike trails around the forest, a huge den building area and also a Go Ape.

Cost: Free. Activities like the Look Out Discovery Centre and Go Ape are extra.

Location & parking:Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell. Parking is £3.40 for 4 hours or £6.80 for all day.

Sat nav:RG12 7QW

The post Woodland Walks in Bucks & Berkshire appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Halloween Days Out

Big Days Out

1. Halloween at Blenheim Palace – Woodstock-  20th – 29th October. A spooky, fun-filled, after dark trail for all the family. Watch out for flickering flames in a fiendish fire garden, daring fire artists and grinning pumpkins aglow. Wind your way through the illuminated haunted woods filled with creepy neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, larger-than life spiders and beastly bats.
2. Horrid Half Term at Blenheim Palace – Woodstock – 21st – 29th October Enjoy pumpkin decorating, spooky storytelling, a variety of garden games, a family circus show, mesmerising fire performances and so much more. As well as all that, if you’re brave enough you can hop aboard our miniature train and chug through the Terrifying Tunnel.If that’s not enough, inside our Adventure Play we will be holding a Haunted Hunt. If you are an annual pass holder some of this event event is included, parts of it you need to purchase an Adventure Playground ticket for (the above Halloween after dark trail you need a separate ticket for).
3. Spook-Fest at Aldenham Country Park – Elstree – 14th-31st October. Follow the spooky trail, ride on the Horrid Hay Tractor ride, carve pumpkins, climb through the spider maze and much more! We’ve been for the last two years and it’s one of our favourite Halloween events. Here’s our review of Aldenham Country Park.
4. The Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure at Tumblestone – Henley – 21st – 29th October. Folk of Tumblestone Hollow will be reading stories from ‘The Moon Witch and The Thief’ and giving away spooky temporary transfers. This year you will also find the Moon Witch hiding in the shadows, trying to steal the Moon Stone from our beloved Stone Circle. There will be pumpkins galore and a halloween trail around Tumblestone Hollow and the gardens at Stonor Park. Here’s our review of Tumblestone. Hollow.
5. Hogshaw School of Witchcraft and Wizardry at Hogshaw Farm – Buckingham – 21st – 29th October. Follow our herbology tutor down to the pumpkin patch to collect your specimen for decorating and spot fellow Wizard School pupils getting up to mischief around the farm. For pumpkins, potions, broomsticks, owls & more. We went to Hogshaw Farm’s Halloween event last year and highly recommend it!
6. Hallo’Welly’Ween at Wellington Country Park – Riseley – 21st – 29th October. Watch spooky shows, listen witches stories, get up close with creepy crawlies with the ZooLab team, pick a pumpkin and carve it, ride the Halloween train, and get involved with slime making, fizzy pumpkins and the witches supermarket in the pop up play village. Plus all the usual fun at Welly Park, one of our favourite days out!
7. Howl’O’Ween at Chessington World of Adventure – Chessington 7th-30th October. The mischievous Wild Witches of Adventure Point have conjured up a devilish spell this Howl’o’ween and brought back to life spooktacular characters across the Resort. You’ll find loads of ghastly creatures across the resort, special Halloween attractions and shows, including a special show for little ones.
8. Pumpkin Festival at Willows Activity Farm – St Albans – 14th, 15th, 19th -31st October. Pick your pumpkin from Willow’s Pumpkin Patch, take photos in the gourd grotto and enjoy a full programme of pumpkin-tastic fun including all your Willows favourites.
9. Halloween at Bucklebury Farm – Bucklebury – 21st-31st October. Walk along the the spooky trail, choose and carve a pumpkin and go on a scarecrow trail. Plus the usual fun of the farm and tractors rides.
10. Haunted Half Term at Waddesdon Manor – Waddesdon – 21st – 29th October. Take part in a fact filled Trick or Treat Skeleton Trail. Join Zoolab for their Creepy Critters show (21st + 22nd) learning about some spooky and gruesome animals and insects or just sit back and relax in the powerhouse with some classic family Halloween films or try your luck at a vintage game. Enjoy a Halloween themed afternoon tea, let them have their face painted (28th + 29th) and buy a pumpkin to carve at home. Waddesdon are going all out for half term this year! Best of all? From 21 October until 29 October, children get free entry to the house and grounds at Waddesdon!
11. Halloween Spectacular at Chiltern Open Air Museum 27th October. Bring the family to an unforgettable, unmissable evening of spooky fun for all ages in the unique and atmospheric setting of the Museum’s historic buildings and woods. They will have fire breathing performances, a bonfire, marshmallow toasting, spooky horses, a magician, scary storytelling (and not so scary!), craft activities, a scary walk and more. There are 2 entry times – 5pm and 6pm.
12. Halloween Extavaganza at Kew Little Pigs 21st – 31st October. Visit the Halloween themed farm and take part in our treasure hunt to win prizes! and all the Piggy Pet and Playing you can handle!

Pumpkin Patches

My biggest piece of advice for visiting pumpkin patches is to go sooner than later. It’s much better to visit when the fields are full of pumpkins than nearly empty!

1. PYO Pumpkins at Rectory Farm – Oxford –7th – 8th and 14th – 15th October) then running from 19th – 29th October.  Meet our friendly farm characters, pick and choose your own pumpkins to take home, jump on a tractor ride, get involved in some pumpkin crafts and garden games, farm characters and food trucks.
2. Pumpkins at The Patch MK – Milton Keynes – 7th – 29th October (selected dates). Way more than just a pumpkin patch! As well as there being loads of brilliant photo ops throughout the patch, you can also ride on the barrel train, play on the slides, climb the wall, play games including Zombie Knockdown and have your face painted. Read our review from visiting Pumpkins at The Patch MK 3 years ago (they’ve added loads more fun stuff since we went!).
3. High Lodge Farm PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail – Culham (near Abingdon) – 22nd – 30th October. Tickets include entry to the PYO Pumpkin Patch, (pay for what you pick), Spooky Trail, Halloween games and refreshment area and the chance to play in our farm tractor. You can also PYO pumpkin by moonlight.
4. PYO Pumpkins at Millets Farm – Abingdon – 14th-31st October. There is loads going on at Millets Farm over Halloween including PYO pumpkins, a Halloween circus, spooky disco at Sprouts soft play barn.
5. Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Lillingstone Pick Your Own – Lillingstone 7th – 29th October (selected dates) – Collect a wheelbarrow and head down to the Pumpkin Patch bursting with home-grown pumpkins and squashes! Follow the spooky Halloween trail around the Maize Maze, climb aboard the pumpkin carriage for a trip around the farm on their tractor-trailor ride, play in the Play-Patch and go for a pony ride!
6. Pumpkin Festival at Odds Farm Park – High Wycombe – 21st – 29th October. PYO pumpkin ready to carve over at Carving Corner, have a go at our Halloween-themed Arts & Crafts and come to see what other spooky surprises we have in store! Plus all the usual fun at Odds Farm Park.

Children’s Classes, Workshops & Parties

1. Halloween Chocolate Workshops at Dr Chocs Windsor Chocolate Factory – Windsor – 3rd – 31st October. Make and paint some special chocolate ghouls and a chocolate lollypop before topping up with scary toppings.
2. Wizards Halloween Party at Robyns Nest – 24th October at Moss End and 26th October at Shinfield. Take part in spell lessons, wizard dance fun, photo opportunity and earn a wizard training certificate for child. Followed by a themed children’s afternoon tea – inc. themed sandwiches, sugar cookie, sweets, popcorn, cheese ‘broomstick’, ‘snitch’ cake pop, jelly & ‘butter beer’.
3. Halloween Party at Fego in Beaconsfield – 31st October. There will be food, drinks, games, competitions and Tricky Twister (the balloon man). Fancy dress essential.  To book pop in or email beaconsfield@fegocaffe.co.uk
4. Halloween Ghost Hunt at Wycombe Museum – 29th October. Come dressed up and ready to scare as you take part in ghoulish games and creepy crafts in this after-dark experience.
5. Halloween activities at The Cheese Shed in Nettlebed – 23rd – 27th October. These include Halloween cookie decorating, pumpkin carving and decorate a witch or wizards hat. The cheese toasties here are the best you will EVER have!
6. Halloween Skate at Oxford Ice Rink 27th October.
7. Halloween and Crafts at Discover Bucks Museum 23rd – 28th October. There is loads going on at Discover Bucks Museum including a brand new exhibition called I Grew Up in the 80s which looks really fun. They also have a Halloween trail running all week, a different craft activity each day and a Halloween Family Day on Saturday 28th October

Halloween Shows

1. John Lawson’s Halloween Circus at Millet’s Farm – Abingdon – 22nd – 28th October. This thrilling, fun family show, features lots of new and popular acts especially for the whole family to enjoy!

Halloween & Autumn Trails

1. Scarecrow Trail at Cliveden National Trust – 21st – 29th October. The scarecrow trail is free and runs from Sat 21 – Sun 29 October. Children can also make their own mini scarecrow (suggested donation of £2) to take home. The crafting activity runs from 1pm – 3pm daily. Plus standard entrance fee (keep an eye out for free National Trust passes – I often share these on my Instagram stories)
2. Binfield Scarecrow Hunt – Binfield – 21sts – 29th October – one of our favourite scarecrow trails as the residents of Binfield go all out with their Scarecrow making!
3. Pumpkin Hunt at Bunkers Hill Garden Shop – Kidlington – 9th – 31st October. This event is always raved about by The Family Ticket! Visit the nursery for the Pumpkin Hunt and vote for your favourite of the Handsome Heroes and Ugly Mug Pumpkin Parade.
4. Halloween Hunt in the Garden 21st October – 5th November. Find scarecrows hidden around Waterperry Gardens and collect a prize.
5. Pumpkin Hunt Trail at Wycombe Museum – 22nd – 29th October. Find hidden multicoloured pumpkins around the museum and gardens! Find them all, and solve a puzzle to claim your prize!
6. The Chalfont Creepy Crawl 31st October from 5pm. So many people have recommend this trail to me as it was a huge success last year! Follow their page for details on where to collect maps from.
7. Marlow Bottom’s Annual Scarecrow Festival 22nd – 29th October. Trail maps are available for £2 at Tin Town, Barn Club and Da Luca. We’ve done this trail twice and love it. The houses go to a lot of effort with the scarecrows and this year there at 74 houses taking part.
8. Princess Risborough Halloween Trail 28th October 1-4pm. Fancy Dress and Shop Window Art Trail. Match the retailer with the Halloween character painted on their window. Entry forms will be available from the haunted house tent positioned outside the front of Princes Risborough Library from 1pm.
9. Halloween Spooktacular Trail at Dinton Pastures 21st – 29th October. Buy a thrilling trail map for £2.50 per child and go on a mysterious journey through the park. Complete the trail and win a delicious reward. Dinton Pastures has an amazing playground to enjoy as well and is a beautiful place to go for a walk around the lake.

I have more to add to this guide so keep checking back!

The post What’s on October Half Term 2023 appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Events Running Every Day

Easter Wonderland at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park

3rd – 14th April

Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and venture into their very own Easter Wonderland! Meet the Mad Hatter, enjoy live entertainment, curious creatures, topsy-turvy games and all the usual fun of the farm. We always love the themed events at Hogshaw Farm and the characters they have their always do an amazing job interacting with the children (and adults).

Location: Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park, Claydon Road, Hogshaw, MK18 3LA

Spring into Easter at Odds Farm

1st – 16th April

Their egg-citing Easter egg hunt will have you searching high and low for a tasty treat, plus join their silly shows with Farmer Oddsocks and friends and our Spring arts & crafts too! Plus all the usual fun at Odds Farm, another favourite day out of ours, especially at this time of year with all the spring babies.

Pip and Posy Explorer Trail at Whipsnade Zoo

31st March – 9th May

Join Pip and Posy discovering the amazing animals at Whipsnade Zoo this Easter. Enter their wonderful world of play and exploration following a family-friendly trail to learn about some of Whipsnade’s impressive animal residents.

Plus on 15-16 and 29-30 April at intervals throughout the day they will have special meet and greet sessions with Pip and Posy, exclusively for ZSL Gold members, Fellows and Patrons.

Go on an Easter Egg Hunt with National Trust

1st – 16th April

Visit your local National Trust estate for Easter adventures in nature trails. Before you set off, you’ll receive a trail sheet and pencil to help you with your adventure and Easter bunny ears to wear along the way.  Complete the trail (£3) and collect your Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg.

Location: Trails confirmed at Waddesdon Manor, Cliveden, Hughenden, Ashridge Estate, Grey’s Court, Basildon Park and loads more!

Easter Eggstravaganza at Wellington Country Park

1st – 16th April

One of our favourite Easter events! We love Welly Park on a normal day (read our review here), but at Easter they go all out and put on lots of extra activities.

• *NEW for Easter 2023* JUNK JODIE
  The wonderful Junk Jodie and her fabulous Easter crafts will be joining us every day from 10:00am – 4:00pm
• *NEW for Easter 2023* SPRING INTO EASTER WITH CANARY MARY AND FRIENDS LIVE ON STAGE!
• THE BIG TOP SHOW TENT EASTER ENTERTAINMENT
• EASTER TRAIN RIDE
• EASTER ANIMAL FARM COMPETITION

Location: Odiham Road, Riseley, Berkshire, RG7 1SP

Farmer Carters Courtyard at Millets Farm

1st – 15th April

Spring into the great outdoors to help Farmer Carter play our great quiz trails and activities within the three woodlands, courtyards and castle! Then enjoy the go-karts, pedal tractors, sand pits, family games and much more!

Please note that our main maize maze is yet to be planted and will therefore not be open during this event – watch out for more info on this years Maize Maze later in the year!

Location: Millets Farm, Kingston Road, Frilford, Oxfordshire, OX13 5HB

Easter Trail at Tumblestone Hollow

1st – 16th April

I absolutely the love the themed festivals at Tumblestone Hollow, they make such an incredible effort on the decorations. The bonus of visiting during one of their festivals is you get to enjoy both the adventure playground and a brilliant themed trail around the beautiful gardens of Stonor Park. Read my review of Tumblestone Hollow here.

Location: Stonor Park

The Big Easter Bunny Hunt at Waterperry Gardens

1st – 16th April

Join the trail around the ornamental gardens. £3 per child with a prize – children must be accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies. Gardens open daily from 10am till 5.30pm.

Location: Waterperry, Oxford OX33 1LA

Easter Eggstravaganza at Willows Activity Farm

30th March – 14th April

As well as all the usual Willows fun there will be an Egg Hunt with a chocolate prize, Easter Grotto, adorable animals including bunnies and chicks, brand NEW shows, funfair rides, adventure play and more.

Peter Rabbit and Friends will be here every day too with shows and meet and greets.

Location: Coursers Rd, St Albans AL4 0PF

Easter at Hobbledown Heath

1st – 16th April

Hobbledown have loads of fun activities lined up including the Great Egg Hunt. Plus themed games, Spring story time, Bunny Hop dance session, Creation Station and Birds of Prey displays.

We love Hobbledown for it’s outdoor and indoor play areas. The indoor play barn here is incredible!

Location: Hobbledown Heath, Staines Rd, Hounslow TW14 0HH

Easter at Hobbledown Epsom

Hobbledown have loads of fun activities lined up including a Hunt for the Golden Dragon Egg. Plus themed games, Hobbler story time, archery and a hunt to find buried wooden eggs.

Location: Horton Ln, Epsom KT19 8PT

The Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt at Hampton Court Palace

1st – 16th April

Find the Lindt GOLD BUNNY and discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at Hampton Court Palace. The hunt is designed for children aged 4-12 years old and their families

Location: Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, East Molesey KT8 9AU

Alice in Wonderland Easter Egg Hunt & Decorate and Easter Biscuit at Crocus at Dorney

1st – 14th April

Pick up a trail map for the Easter Egg Hunt around the walled garden and decorate an Easter biscuit. We love visiting here, the gardens are lovely to walk round and there’s a great cafe with a playground. Details of the café and playground can be found here. There’s also an Alice in Wonderland Tea – details below under 13th April.

Location: Court Ln, Dorney, Windsor SL4 6QP

Easter at Roves Farm

1st – 16th April

Easter Egg Hunt, meet & greet with the Easter Bunny, bottle feeding lambs, meet the animals, Easter activity trail, feed the goats, music time and indoor and outdoor adventure play.

Location: Roves Farm & Visitor Centre, Sevenhampton, Swindon SN6 7QG

The Lexicon Easter Express

31st March – 16th April

The Lexicon Easter Express is a road train that takes you on a ride around The Lexicon Shopping Centre (which is great if you’ve never been). All passengers will receive a free mini-Easter egg or vegan sweets. There will also be a free Easter Egg Hunt with larger than life eggs to find across the town centre where you’ll have a chance to win one of three family meal vouchers for Chopstix. Why not combine this with a trip to the Look Out Discovery Centre or Coral Reef Waterworld.

Location: The Lexicon, Bracknell, RG12 1AP

Easter Workshops at Hobbycraft

Various dates

There are several different themed workshops to choose from at Hobbycraft including kids bonnet making and pom pom bunnies.

Location: High Wycombe, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and loads more. Click here to find classes near you.

What’s On 1st April

Lambing Festival at Earth Trust

Morning session at 10am and afternoon session at 1pm

We went to this last weekend and had a great time. There’s a big lambing barn full of sheep waiting to give birth, we actually saw a lamb being born when we were there. They have a couple of lambs that you can queue up to stroke too, which are very cute! As well as the lambs there are lots of farm games, like climbing on hay bales, welly wanging, milking a fake cow, tractor rides and a brilliant den building area. I recommend starting with the den building and doing the lambs barn last, as it was very busy in the barn at the start of the session.

Location: Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QZ

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

30th March – 1st April

A critically acclaimed musical based on the beloved film version of Ian Fleming’s children’s book and featuring an unforgettable score by the Sherman Brothers (Mary Poppins).

Location: Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 2nd April

Lambing Festival at Earth Trust

See details above (1st April)

Location: Earth Trust, Little Wittenham, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 4QZ

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. Stay for a whole or half day – or come for just one return journey if you only prefer a taster – you can also choose to break your journey at Chinnor or Princes Risborough. No seat reservations are required – which means that you can choose to sit in any non-dining areas on every train – look through the carriages and choose those that you like.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Easter Story Time & Craft Activities at High Wycombe Library

12.30-1.30pm – Celebrate Easter with a themed story time and an egg-cellent craft activity.

Location: Floor 1, High Wycombe Library, HP11 2DH

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. There will be 30+ eggs to find around the village, simply buy a map for £3 from either Daphne’s Coffee Shop (previously Crema), Binfield Village Stores or Foxes Den Community Cafe, have some fun.  There are cafes, shops and playgrounds en-route.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 3rd April

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

Pick up a map from the Coffee House or Coffee Deck and follow the trails to find the hidden Easter Eggs. There are two trails to choose from, the 1/2 mile trails and the 2 mile trail. You can do both trails if you wish. The park itself at Dinton Pastures is beautiful and there’s a really good playground.

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Chocolate Egg Decorating at Frosts Garden Centre

Each child will receive their very own chocolate Easter egg to decorate with sweeties. Finished off with a glass of squash and storytime with a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands + Willington

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. There will be 30+ eggs to find around the village, simply buy a map for £3 from either Daphne’s Coffee Shop (previously Crema), Binfield Village Stores or Foxes Den Community Cafe, have some fun.  There are cafes, shops and playgrounds en-route.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 4th April

Room on the Broom at Wycombe Swan Theatre

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Location: Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE

Teach Rex at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Teach Rex are an award winning Liverpool based team who specialise in unique and interactive shows that bring learning to life for families!

Location: Exchange Street, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1UG

Animals! at Norden Farm

Fun, interactive and featuring original songs, Animals! is an empowering and uplifting performance about animals, humans and nature. It celebrates the amazing wildlife around us and makes big things feel possible.

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Chocolate Egg Decorating at Frosts Garden Centre

Each child will receive their very own chocolate Easter egg to decorate with sweeties. Finished off with a glass of squash and storytime with a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands + Willington

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 5th April

Room on the Broom at Wycombe Swan Theatre

Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Location: Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE

The Amazing Bubble Man at Norden Farm

Louis Pearl thrills with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, magic, science and fun of bubbles. He is a favorite at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he has enjoyed twelve years of sell-out success.

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Chocolate Egg Decorating at Frosts Garden Centre

Each child will receive their very own chocolate Easter egg to decorate with sweeties. Finished off with a glass of squash and storytime with a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands + Willington

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 6th April

Ministry of Science Live at Wycombe Swan Theatre

I’ve seen a lot of really good reviews of this show! Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way!

Location: Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE

Curious Investigators at Norden Farm

An interactive engineering adventure for young scientists! Curious Investigatorsis a cracking adventure created in collaboration with engineering experts from Lancaster University: a delightfully surprising, highly visual show for 3–7-year-olds and their grown-ups.

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Chocolate Egg Decorating at Frosts Garden Centre

Each child will receive their very own chocolate Easter egg to decorate with sweeties. Finished off with a glass of squash and storytime with a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands + Willington

Ewelme Easter Trail

Trail around Ewelme village. Make a donation to download the trail map. Combine it with a visit to The Shepherd’s Hut in Ewelme for lunch, the food is good and they have a kids playground.

Location: Ewelme, OX10 6HQ

Easter Bunny Breakfast at Dobbies 

8.30am

Enjoy a tasty breakfast for the whole family before the little ones take part in some egg-cellent fun with our Easter bunny. They’ll follow the bunny on a hunt around the store and enjoy some fun games.  Plus, our bunny and the team (both experts in all things carrots) will help them plant their very own miniature carrots to take home and grow in the garden.

This event is suited to families with children aged 3-10 years old. Children under 3 can still take part in some activities with the support of an adult.

Location: Various Dobbies stores including Aylesbury, Hare Hatch, Reading and Milton Keynes.

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 7th April

Day Out With Thomas 2023 at Bucks Rail Centre

Join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day of colourful adventure at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre! All aboard a train ride with Thomas, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt and join Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of fun.

Location: Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Explore: Magic at Norden Farm (Age 11+)

Do you love magic? Have you ever been astounded by a magician’s illusions and longed to know the tricks of the trade? Then Mark’s Magic Mayhem’s Tricky-Tuition is just for you!

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Chocolate Egg Decorating at Frosts Garden Centre

Each child will receive their very own chocolate Easter egg to decorate with sweeties. Finished off with a glass of squash and storytime with a meet & greet with the Easter Bunny!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands + Willington

Easter Eggstravaganza at Blenheim Palace

Visit Blenheim Palace for a perfect family day out during the Easter weekend. Hop along to the Walled Garden to enjoy a whole host of egg-citing activities including circus skills, balloon modelling, bubble performances, bungee trampolines and a travelling vintage variety show, not to mention appearances from none other than the Easter Bunny throughout the weekend too. The new adventure playground will also be open – note there is an additional charge for this of £7pp.

Location: Woodstock, OX20 1PP

Easter trail at Knebworth House

Your ticket includes access to Knebworth Park, gardens, adventure playground with Fort Knebworth and dinosaur trail as well as the trail and craft activities (between 12-3pm).

Location: Knebworth House, Stevenage

Easter Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum

Join us this Easter Bank Holiday weekend and explore our historic buildings and learn about some Easter traditions, take part in our Easter trail, have a go at some family crafts and see our baby lambs. We have 45 acres for you to explore including woodland and new adventure playground.

Location: Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Activities at Milton Keynes Museum

There will be plenty to keep the kids entertained over the Easter holidays including themed craft activities and trails. Don’t miss exploring the Victorian farmhouse, taking a walk along the old Street of Shops, going back to school in the old Victorian school room and exploring the five acre old farm site and play area.  And, of course, back by popular demand – our Easter egg hunt! (7 -10 April only)

Location: Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL

Ewelme Easter Trail

Trail around Ewelme village. Make a donation to download the trail map. Combine it with a visit to The Shepherd’s Hut in Ewelme for lunch, the food is good and they have a kids playground.

Location: Ewelme, OX10 6HQ

Easter Bunny Breakfast at Dobbies 

8.30am

(See details above 6th April)

Location: Various Dobbies stores including Aylesbury, Hare Hatch, Reading and Milton Keynes.

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 8th April

Fireman Sam Saves the Circus at Wycombe Swan Theatre

Join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all singing, dancing, action-packed show. You can become a fire-fighter cadet and then watch the magic of the circus.

Location: Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE

Explore: Circus Skills at Norden Farm

Come and explore the magical world of circus. Try tightrope walking, giant ball walking, unicycling and juggling. Led by And Circus. Age 8-10. There are other sessions for other age groups too, details on the Norden Farm website.

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Day Out With Thomas 2023 at Bucks Rail Centre

Join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day of colourful adventure at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre! All aboard a train ride with Thomas, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt and join Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of fun.

Location: Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Easter Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum

Join us this Easter Bank Holiday weekend and explore our historic buildings and learn about some Easter traditions, take part in our Easter trail, have a go at some family crafts and see our baby lambs. We have 45 acres for you to explore including woodland and new adventure playground.

Location: Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB

Ewelme Easter Trail

Trail around Ewelme village. Make a donation to download the trail map. Combine it with a visit to The Shepherd’s Hut in Ewelme for lunch, the food is good and they have a kids playground.

Location: Ewelme, OX10 6HQ

Easter Bunny Breakfast at Dobbies 

8.30am

(See details above 6th April

Location: Various locations including Aylesbury, Hare Hatch, Reading and Milton Keynes.

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Activities at Milton Keynes Museum

(See details above 7th April)

Location: Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Easter trail at Knebworth House

Your ticket includes access to Knebworth Park, gardens, adventure playground with Fort Knebworth and dinosaur trail as well as the trail and craft activities (between 12-3pm).

Location: Knebworth House, Stevenage

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Easter Eggstravaganza at Blenheim Palace

Visit Blenheim Palace for a perfect family day out during the Easter weekend. See 7th April for full details.

Location: Woodstock, OX20 1PP

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 9th April

Mega Easter Egg Hunt at Wellington Country Park

As well as all the other Easter activities (see above under events running every day), on Sunday 9th they will also be holding a Mega Easter Egg hunt.

Join them from 9:30am and collect your Mega Egg Hunt, hunt form from the Main Reception. Solve the clues and find the missing eggs hidden around the Park. There are 800 Easter Eggs available and offered on a first come first serve basis.

Day Out With Thomas 2023 at Bucks Rail Centre

Join Thomas the Tank Engine for a day of colourful adventure at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre! All aboard a train ride with Thomas, say Hello to Sir Topham Hatt and join Rusty & Dusty for a trainload of fun.

Location: Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY

Thames Country Fair

Oxfordshire’s leading Country Show returns to it’s original date over Easter Weekend. Enjoy a wide range of street foods and drink, find a range of local and national food and drink producers in the Food Glorious Food section and enjoy lots of fun entertainment throughout the day. There will also be children’s entertainment making a great family day.

Location: Thame Showground, Kingsey Road, Thame, OX9 3JL

Great Easter Egg Hunt at Cassiobury Farm and Fishery

The farm only run a few open days a year so this is a great opportunity to visit. They have loads of rare breed farm animals as well as a collection of exotic animals including zebra’s, Galapagos tortoise, lemurs, Tararin monkeys, flamingos to name a few.

They are running a Great Easter Egg Hunt with golden eggs hidden amongst the animals. Once the children have completed the trail they’ll visit the Easter Bunny’s chocolate cave for treats! There will also be face painting, mini tractor rides, pedalos, animals encounters, a bouncy castle and lots more.

Location: Rousebarn Ln, Croxley Green, Watford, Rickmansworth WD3 3GG

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Easter Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum

Join us this Easter Bank Holiday weekend and explore our historic buildings and learn about some Easter traditions, take part in our Easter trail, have a go at some family crafts and see our baby lambs. We have 45 acres for you to explore including woodland and new adventure playground.

Location: Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB

Ewelme Easter Trail

Trail around Ewelme village. Make a donation to download the trail map. Combine it with a visit to The Shepherd’s Hut in Ewelme for lunch, the food is good and they have a kids playground.

Location: Ewelme, OX10 6HQ

Easter Bunny Breakfast at Dobbies 

8.30am

(See details above 6th April)

Location: Various Dobbies stores including Aylesbury, Hare Hatch, Reading and Milton Keynes.

Easter trail at Knebworth House

Your ticket includes access to Knebworth Park, gardens, adventure playground with Fort Knebworth and dinosaur trail as well as the trail and craft activities (between 12-3pm).

Location: Knebworth House, Stevenage

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Activities at Milton Keynes Museum

(See details above 7th April)

Location: Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL

Easter Egg Trail at Dinton Pastures – FREE EVENT

(See details above 3rd April)

Location: Dinton Pastures, Wokingham, RG10 0TH

Go on an Easter Egg Hunt with National Trust

Visit your local National Trust estate for Easter adventures in nature trails. Before you set off, you’ll receive a trail sheet and pencil to help you with your adventure and Easter bunny ears to wear along the way.  Complete the trail (£3) and collect your Rainforest Alliance chocolate egg.

Location: Trails confirmed at Waddesdon Manor, Cliveden, Hughenden, Ashridge Estate, Grey’s Court, Basildon Park and loads more!

M&G Parties Easter Eggstravaganza

What to expect – a fun packed morning with Peter Rabbit and our M&G entertainers, lots of activities, crafts, games, music , dancing and of course chocolate eggs!!!

Location: Judo Centre, Barry Close, HP12 4UE

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Easter Eggstravaganza at Blenheim Palace

Visit Blenheim Palace for a perfect family day out during the Easter weekend. See 7th April for full details.

Location: Woodstock, OX20 1PP

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 10th April

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Activities at Milton Keynes Museum

(See details above 7th April)

Location: Milton Keynes Museum, McConnell Drive, Wolverton, Milton Keynes, MK12 5EL

Easter Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum

Join us this Easter Bank Holiday weekend and explore our historic buildings and learn about some Easter traditions, take part in our Easter trail, have a go at some family crafts and see our baby lambs. We have 45 acres for you to explore including woodland and new adventure playground.

Location: Newland Park, Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire HP8 4AB

Easter Monday at Chenies Manor House

Family Fun, traditional games and Easter egg hunts and we will be joined by the Tudor Royal Family.

Location: Chenies, Rickmansworth, WD3 6ER

Easter trail at Knebworth House

Your ticket includes access to Knebworth Park, gardens, adventure playground with Fort Knebworth and dinosaur trail as well as the trail and craft activities (between 12-3pm).

Location: Knebworth House, Stevenage

Thames Country Fair

Oxfordshire’s leading Country Show returns to it’s original date over Easter Weekend. Enjoy a wide range of street foods and drink, find a range of local and national food and drink producers in the Food Glorious Food section and enjoy lots of fun entertainment throughout the day. There will also be children’s entertainment making a great family day.

Location: Thame Showground, Kingsey Road, Thame, OX9 3JL

Ewelme Easter Trail

Trail around Ewelme village. Make a donation to download the trail map. Combine it with a visit to The Shepherd’s Hut in Ewelme for lunch, the food is good and they have a kids playground.

Location: Ewelme, OX10 6HQ

Binfield Easter Egg Hunt

Come and join the fun around the village with the promise of the fluffy tail Binfield Bunny to spot on the trail. More details see 4th April.

Location: Binfield, RG42 5JB

Easter Eggstravaganza at Blenheim Palace

Visit Blenheim Palace for a perfect family day out during the Easter weekend. See 7th April for full details.

Location: Woodstock, OX20 1PP

Vintage Fayre at Ashridge House

What’s On 11th April

Build a Bunny at Frosts Garden Centre

Your little ones can build their very own bunny friend in their Build a Bunny workshop!

Location: Frosts Garden Centre, Woburn Sands

Spring Theme at Mini Farmers Club

This is a brilliant outdoor/indoor play space for little ones and throughout April they have a Spring theme running. We’ve been a few times and both the kids love it. I’d recommend for kids between 18 months and 5.

Location: Hill View Farm, Lee Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NU

What’s On 12th April

Come and create famous scenes from top West End musicals! Spend 3 days singing, dancing, and acting with our friendly theatre experts – and make some new friends along the way. The project will end with a showcase on the Old Town Hall stage for friends and family at the end of Day 3.

Ages 7 – 12

Location: Wycombe Swan, St. Mary Street, High Wycombe, HP11 2XE

Magic & Craft Workshop at Frosts Woburn Sands

Join Frosts for this exciting new workshop, watch your children become magicians and see their imagination come to life. With a 30-minute live magic show followed by lots of crafts and fun, this is perfect for any children that love magic and crafting.

Location: Frosts, Woburn Sands, MK17 8UE

Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Go on steam train rides, plus you can ride the miniature railway, watch the model trains, visit the Railway Museum and Visitor Centre with Gift Shop and Railway Cafe, plus lots more.

Location: Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY

Spring Theme at Mini Farmers Club

This is a brilliant outdoor/indoor play space for little ones and throughout April they have a Spring theme running. We’ve been a few times and both the kids love it. I’d recommend for kids between 18 months and 5.

Location: Hill View Farm, Lee Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NU

What’s On 13th April

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

Alice in Wonderland Afternoon Tea Party

With entertainment from the Enchanted Theatre Performers Company and Wonderland Themed hun in the Walled Garden with a prize at the end.

Various times available between 12.30-3.30pm. Be quick as some slots have sold out already.

Location: Crocus at Dorney Court, Court Lane, Dorney, Windsor, SL4 6QP

Spring Theme at Mini Farmers Club

This is a brilliant outdoor/indoor play space for little ones and throughout April they have a Spring theme running. We’ve been a few times and both the kids love it. I’d recommend for kids between 18 months and 5.

Location: Hill View Farm, Lee Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NU

What’s On 14th April

Rock n Roll Convertini with Matt Bond at Norden Farm

Family concert with some of the best loved Rock n Roll themes. Join Matt Bond on a journey of some of the best loved Rock n Roll themes from the 50’s and beyond. Be inspired by the sounds of the Beatles, the Stones and Elvis followed by the chance to meet the musicians and even have a go! It’s Rock and Roll with a touch of Yee Ha!

Location: Norden Farm, Altwood Rd, Maidenhead SL6 4PF

Tumble down the Rabbit Hole with Alice at Frosts, Woburn Sands

Step into this magical world with a thrilling adventure Down the Rabbit Hole! Get ready to jump, dance, craft, and listen to stories that will ignite your imagination, all within 1.5 hours of fun-filled activities. Immerse yourself in the whimsical universe of Wonderland, lose yourself in an array of exciting games. Dance to the rhythm of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and enjoy the thrill of storytelling as you hear tales of adventure and intrigue. Get creative with craft time, and bring your own twist with hands-on activities.

Location: Frosts, Woburn Sands, MK17 8UE

Dancers & Tiaras Princess Dance Class 

Dance with a Princess class is back for Easter. 10 – 10.40am. Message @tutusandtiarasprincessparties on Instagram to book.

Location: Mortimer St Johns, RG7 3TF

Spring Theme at Mini Farmers Club

This is a brilliant outdoor/indoor play space for little ones and throughout April they have a Spring theme running. We’ve been a few times and both the kids love it. I’d recommend for kids between 18 months and 5.

Location: Hill View Farm, Lee Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NU

What’s On 15th April

Spring Theme at Mini Farmers Club

This is a brilliant outdoor/indoor play space for little ones and throughout April they have a Spring theme running. We’ve been a few times and both the kids love it. I’d recommend for kids between 18 months and 5.

Location: Hill View Farm, Lee Road, Princes Risborough, HP27 9NU

What’s On 16th April

Cinderella the Ballet at The Kenton Theatre

Let’s All Dance Ballet Company brings this glittering new production to young audiences around the UK in 2023. The company’s biggest show to date combines its customary stunning dancing, crystal-clear storytelling, gorgeous music and beautiful costumes to enchant and dazzle young and old. This magical new ballet follows the traditional tale with fresh touches, and is the ultimate fairytale treat for the whole family.

Location: The Kenton Theatre, 19 New Street, Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2BS

Steaming Day at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Go on steam train rides, plus you can ride the miniature railway, watch the model trains, visit the Railway Museum and Visitor Centre with Gift Shop and Railway Cafe, plus lots more.

Location: Station Road, Quainton, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP22 4BY

All Day Rover Tickets at Chinnor Railway

Standard Travel tickets are issued as go-as-you-please All-Day Rovers and are valid on every train. For more details see 2nd April.

Location: Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway, Station Road, Chinnor, OX39 4ER

This guide as you can probably see takes a long time to put together, so if you find it useful and fancy buying me a coffee as a small thanks here’s the link – Ko-fi.com/babyinbucks

The post What’s On Easter 2023 appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Christmas Days Out and Santas Grottos

Farmer Christmas at Hogshaw Farm (formerly Green Dragon Eco Farm)

Availability in the afternoon on 21st and 22nd December

Go for a magical walk through their wintery wonderland, where elves play, reindeer relax and Santa can be found on-board his big red tractor. As you journey through Farmer Christmas Land you’ll enjoy festive crafts and animal encounters before making a Christmas wish and meeting the big man himself. We did this last year and it was lovely. The Christmas experience itself lasted about 30 minutes last year, but all the activities on the rest of the farm make it a full day out.

Location: Buckingham, Bucks

Price from £21.95 per child (aged 2+), £9.95 for under 1 year and £12.95 per adult. Concession tickets also available.

For more information and tickets click here.

Christmas Adventure at Chobham Open Farm

Availability 21st to 31st December for entry, The Reindeer Lodge and ice rink

Chobham Adventure Farm have changed their Christmas experience this year so it’s no longer the immersive experience that they ran last year (shame as we absolutely LOVED this). The new experience sounds great though and the good news is that it’s all included in your normal entry ticket so this is a really affordable option. They have transformed the animal barn into The Reindeer Lodge, where Santa’s real reindeer will be staying while they get ready for the big day. There’s even a baby reindeer! They also have an ice rink this year which you can add on. Penguins and skate aids are available. Whilst the Santa experience itself isn’t a ‘Big Christmas Day Out’ combined with everything else at Chobham you could easily spend a whole morning or afternoon here. Please note the Santa’s Grotto add on is sold out.

Location: Chobham, Surrey

Price from £5.50 per toddler (1 -2 years), £8.50 per pre-schooler (3-4 years), £13.50 for children (5 – 18 years), £8.50 for adults and under 1’s are free. Price increases at weekends and once the schools break up. Concession tickets also available.  Add on ice skating for £7.50pp.

For more information and tickets click here.

The Magical Christmas Adventure  at 4 Kingdoms Farm Park

Tickets available 21st – 24th December

We went here in 2021 and absolutely loved it! The attention to detail throughout the whole experience is incredible. The actors were all fantastic at engaging with the little ones and making the whole experience completely magical. 4 Kingdom’s Farm Park is home to the largest indoor Christmas immersive experience in the UK.  Your 3 hour journey begins with checking-in to Santa’s Airways where you’ll then board a sleigh for an interactive journey to the North Pole. As part of your visit to the North Pole children will build their own special Christmas Bear, visit Santa and choose their own gift from the toy store. For more information on the day it’s really worth looking at the full itinerary on their website.

You can read my full review from 2020 here. My most asked question on Instagram at this time of year is whether I think it’s worth the price and I do think this is an experience worth paying more for – I can only base this on our experience 2 years ago though.

The price for these dates is £60 for children and £40 for adults. Under 1’s are £10.  Click here for more information and to book.

Santa Spectacular at Willows Activity Farm

Availability on 21st December

As well as being able to do all of the usual activities on the farm including seeing the animals and adventure play your little ones will get to wander through the winter wonderland and meet Santa in his grotto,  choose a toy from the Toy Shop, make-a-bear with cuddle filling, hop on their new reindeer funfair ride, watch festive shows (of which there are loads), decorate gingerbread men, write and post a letter to Santa and receive a free reply, watch a festive 3D film, festive arts and crafts, meet real reindeer and travel on Tristian the Runaway Tractor into the festive wood. They also have a synthetic ice rink (which I’ve heard isn’t the best) and PETER RABBIT will be holding meet and greets at the adventure playground.

Location: St Albans, Hertfordshire

Price is £53.50 for children and £29.50 for adults and under 2’s with a gift are £24 (or free without). Again the price jumps up the closer your get the Christmas.

Click here for more information and to book. Tickets

The Magic of Christmas at Mead Open Farm

Tickets available from 21st to 24th December

This sounds like another really good immersive experience with lots included. Your little ones will receive a Magical Passport before wandering through the enchanted woods and taking part in lots of fun challenges with the elves, like a Naughty or Nice detector. Meet Gather Christmas and enjoy a group story. If you’re on the nice list you can choose a toy from the toy shop. They will also make a bear in the workshop, decorate gingerbread with Mother Christmas, make reindeer food and watch The Tree Trimming Training Show with lots of festive singing and audience participation. Plus you get all the usual fun of the farm too!

Location: Billington, Bedfordshire

Prices from £34.50 for children (1-15 years), £10-£12 for under 1’s and from £24.50 for adults.

For more information and to book your tickets click here.

Christmas at Hobbledown Heath

Tickets available 21st – 24th December (check website for exact dates)

We did the group experience ‘Christmas at Buckbridge’ here on the opening weekend. We love a day out a Hobbledown, the inside soft play is enormous and it has areas for all different age groups including a great baby/toddler area. Outside there are loads of brilliant playgrounds but I would say children need to be at least 5 to properly enjoy these as otherwise they will need a lot of help from you. The Christmas experience unfortunately suffered from some first day teething problems when we were there. We didn’t get to do a lot of the activities listed and the group experience itself with Santa and his elves lacked the usual magic you’d expect from Hobbledown (perhaps this will improve once they’ve been playing the characters for longer).

You can visit Hobbledown and pay normal ticket price and have a great day out and they have included some Christmas experiences for free within this. Making reindeer food, writing a letter to Santa and seeing the Santa’s reindeer is all included as well as evening entertainment. The evening entertainment didn’t happen when we visited but I’ve since seen videos from other days and it looks great, with dancers all lit up.

• Meet Santa in his grotto – Meet the elves for a Christmas story and singsong, build your own teddy in the teddybear workshop and meet Santa in his magical grotto. £35 per child.
• Christmas at Buckbridge – Group experience where you will meet Santa and his elves for a meet and greet, singsong and Christmas story time. All children will receive a gift and you can take as many photos as you like. £15 per child

Prices from £16 for adults and children and free for under 2’s.

For more information and to book your tickets click here.

Christmas at Hobbledown Epsom

Exactly the same experiences and add ons as at Hobbledown Heath. Same pricing.

For more information and to book your tickets click here.

Garden Centres

Frosts Garden Centre in Woburn Sands

Their Santa’s Grotto has already sold out for 2022 but they have fantastic Christmas displays that are worth visiting for alone. They also do a Christmas afternoon tea (with a kids version) which looks great! They even run special Grotto sessions for dogs to meet Santa!

Location: Woburn Sands, Buckinghamshire

Click here for more info.

Christmas Lights

Shepherd Family Christmas Lights

For the most impressive house light display you’ve ever seen head to the Shepherd families lights in Marlow. The whole house and garden is covered in lights and the display is timed to music.

Click here for more info

Bank Street Peter Pan Ship Jolly Roger Lights

Every year Nathan and his Dad build the most impressive light displays out the front of their house to raise money for charity. In previous years they’ve had the Coca Cola truck and Hogwarts Express. This year it’s the Peter Pan Ship Jolly Roger! The lights will be on until 3rd January from 4 pm to 11 pm or to visit with music go between 6.30 pm to 9 pm Monday to Friday, or 4 pm to 8 pm on the weekend.

Head to Bank Street in High Wycombe – you won’t miss it! Click here to donate.

Christmas in the Park Marlow

Availability 21st December

This is a new Christmas experience in Marlow, by the people that run Pub in the Park. There’s a light trail, fairground rides, food stalls, a market, live music, a silent disco and an elves workshop. We went a couple of weeks ago and had a really lovely evening. The light trail is short but we enjoyed the bright neon lights and it’s perfect for little legs and it was lovely to have a few rides at the half way point and some live music to listen to whilst we ate. There’s been really mixed reviews on this one due to the price and it is expensive for what it is.

Tickets are £23.43 for adults and £14.91 for children (3-15), under 2’s are free. Click here for more info.

Ashridge House Illuminated

Availability 21st December – 2nd January (selected dates)

We visited Ashridge House for their preview event and it’s a really beautiful light trail around the grounds. The house itself is lit up with projections onto it and there are loads of beautiful light features on the walk including a couple of interactive ones. The trail starts with a small market with food and drink stalls – I recommend the bratwurst, it was amazing! The trail itself takes about 30 minutes to walk round, but allow longer if you’re with little ones. It is quite muddy so I’d recommend wellies and a baby carrier rather than pram.

Prices are between £16.50 – 19.50 for adults and £10.50 – £12.50 for children under 12. Under 4’s are free and they also do discounted family tickets. Click here for more info and to book.

Neverland Illuminova at Wellington Country Park

Availability 21st – 23rd December

This is a brand new event at Wellington Country Park and we absolutely loved it. It’s the most interactive light trail we’ve done and so the kids had an absolute ball. They were running around from one section to the next. The trail starts with a ride on the miniature railway which is all lit up. Tickets for the train are extra and I recommend adding them as you’d be disappointed not to. They’ll get to see Santa on their way round, dance and make funky colored shadows, make sounds by jumping on paths that light up, bang drums to make lights and more.

Prices: £20 for adults and £16 for children (2-15). Click here for more info and to book.

The post Christmas Guide for 2022 appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

You can then post the letter to Santa via the Royal Mail and he will send back a reply. Make sure you post it with a stamp by 9th December to:

Santa/Father Christmas
Santa’s Grotto
Reindeerland
XM4 5HQ

Letter To Santa

Click here to download the letter.

Make sure you take a photo of their letter so you can look at back at all of their letters over the years. I’m sure you will get some funny answers which will be cute to revisit when they are older.

Merry Christmas!

The post Letter to Santa – FREE DOWNLOAD appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Halloween and October Half Term Events – Running Every Day in Half Term

1. The Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure at Tumblestone – Henley – 20th – 31st October. 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 a halloween trail around Tumblestone Hollow and the gardens at Stonor Park. Here’s our review of Tumblestone. Hollow.
2. Spooky Villains Takeover at Hogshaw Farm – Buckingham – 22nd – 30th October. Visit the farm for Halloween themed activities including: Spooky villains causing mischief, PYO pumpkin and decorate it ready for Halloween. Broomstick and wand making, scarecrow trail, Halloween art activities and games and the Messy Play Barn transformed into a spooky spectacular.
3. PYO Pumpkins at Rectory Farm – Oxford – 20th – 30th October.  Meet our friendly farm characters, pick and choose your own pumpkins to take home, jump on a tractor ride, get involved in some pumpkin crafts and garden games, and enjoy a warming harvest lunch in The Tractor Shack cafe.
4. Pumpkins at The Patch MK – Milton Keynes – 8th – 30th October. Way more than just a pumpkin patch! As well as there being loads of brilliant photo ops throughout the patch, you can also ride on the barrel train, play on the slides, climb the wall, play vintage fairground games and have your face painted. Read our review from visiting Pumpkins at The Patch MK 2 years ago (they’ve added even more fun stuff since we went!).
5. Halloween at Beale Wildlife Park – Pangbourne – 21st – 31st October.  Ride the ghost train, make broomsticks and explore the pumpkin and skeleton trail. On Halloween itself, they will be offering Halloween face painting throughout the day. Some activities incur a small additional cost. One child in full fancy dress goes free with a paying adult – pre-booking recommended online. Here’s our review of Beale Park.
6. Hallo’Welly’Ween at Wellington Country Park – Riseley – 22nd – 30th October. Watch spooky shows, listen witches stories, get up close with creepy crawlies with the ZooLab team, pick a pumpkin and carve it, ride the Halloween train, and get involved with slime making, fizzy pumpkins and the witches supermaket in the pop up play village. Plus all the usual fun at Welly Park, one of our favourite days out!
7. Nightmare at Ashridge House – Berkhamstead – 23rd – 30th October. Visit Ashridge House (if you dare!) for a spooky immersive show and the creepy courtyard! If you beat the witch and escape with your life, you can roam the courtyard filled with smoke and spookiness. Until 5pm daily, the garden is also open where you may discover more haunting sights deep in the wood.
8. Howl’O’Ween at Chessington World of Adventure – Chessington 15th-30th October. The mischievous Wild Witches of Adventure Point have conjured up a devilish spell this Howl’o’ween and brought back to life spooktacular characters across the Resort. You’ll find loads of ghastly creatures across the resort, special Halloween attractions and shows, including a special show for little ones.
9. Pumpkin Festival at Willows Activity Farm – St Albans – 15th-31st October. Pick your pumpkin from Willow’s Pumpkin Patch, take photos in the gourd grotto and enjoy a full programme of pumpkin-tastic fun including all your Willows favourites.
10. Halloween at Bucklebury Farm – Bucklebury – 22nd-31st October. Walk along the the spooky trail, choose and carve a pumpkin, listen to spooky tails, play Halloween games and ride the tractor. If you arrive in fancy dress you will receive a free treat!
11. Young Imagination Halloween Special – Iver – 3rd – 27th October (Mon-Fri). Spooky messy play, fancy dress, music and dance, spooky arts and crafts and more spooky fun.
12. Halloween at Waddesdon Manor – Waddesdon – 22rd-30th October (closed 24th + 25th). You can also enjoy a spooky Halloween afternoon tea and children in fancy dress get a free sticky creature from the woodland cafe, but it doesn’t look like they’re doing the Halloween trail this year.
13. Halloween Chocolate Workshops at Dr Chocs Windsor Chocolate Factory – Windsor – 5th – 31st October. Make and paint some special chocolate ghouls and a chocolate lollypop before topping up with scary toppings.
14. Halloween at Blenheim Palace – Woodstock-  21st – 31st October. A spooky, fun-filled, after dark trail for all the family. Watch out for flickering flames in a fiendish fire garden, daring fire artists and grinning pumpkins aglow. Wind your way through the illuminated haunted woods filled with creepy neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, larger-than life spiders and beastly bats.
15. Spook-Fest at Aldenham Country Park – Elstree – 15th-31st October. Follow the spooky trail, ride on the Horrid Hay Tractor ride, carve pumpkins, climb through the spider maze and much more! We’ve been for the last two years and it’s one of our favourite Halloween events. Here’s our review of Aldenham Country Park.
16. Horrid Half Term at Blenheim Palace – Woodstock – 22nd – 30th October  Enjoy spooky storytelling, fiendish fire performers, petrifying pumpkin carving, awesome axe throwing, family circus workshops and the ghastly ghost train. If you are an annual pass holder this event event is included (the above Halloween after dark trail you need a separate ticket for).
17. High Lodge Farm PYO Pumpkin Patch and Spooky Trail – Culham (near Abingdon) – 22nd – 30th October. Tickets include entry to the PYO Pumpkin Patch, (pay for what you pick), Spooky Trail, Halloween games and refreshment area and the chance to play in our farm tractor. A free sweet treat is included for all ticket holders.
18. Halloween at Yarnton Magic Garden – Kidlington – 24th – 29th October. Enjoy crafts and a pumpkin hunt around the soft play climbing frame.
19. Circus Ginnett – Kidlington – 19th – 23rd October + Witney – 26th – 30th October. We went to see their show last week and loved it. It’s only an hour long so perfect for little ones and involves lots of acrobatics and laughter. Use code HOLLIE20 to get 20% off your tickets.
20. John Lawson’s Halloween Circus at Millet’s Farm – Abingdon – 23rd – 29th October. The show will include Bippo the Clown, roller skaters The Duo Santus, the amazing Mr Slinky, western rope-spinning with Miss Alicia, footjuggler Miss Betina, aerial acrobatics Angelina, and incredible illusions from The Garcia Sisters and lasts for 1 hour.
21. PYO Pumpkins at Millets Farm – Abingdon – 15th-31st October.
22. Pumpkin Festival at Odds Farm Park – High Wycombe – 22nd – 30th October. PYO pumpkin ready to carve over at Carving Corner, have a go at our Halloween-themed Arts & Crafts and come to see what other spooky surprises we have in store! Plus all the usual fun at Odds Farm Park.
23. Pick Your Own Pumpkins at Lillingstone Pick Your Own – Lillingstone 8th – 31st October – Collect a wheelbarrow and head down to the Pumpkin Patch bursting with home-grown pumpkins and squashes! Follow the spooky Halloween trail around the Maize Maze, climb aboard the pumpkin carriage for a trip around the farm on their tractor-trailor ride, play in the Play-Patch and go for a pony ride!

Halloween and October Half Term Events  – Daily Guide

These are all the events which are running on specific days.

Monday 24th October

1. Decorate a Witch or Wizard Hat at The Cheese Shed – Nettlebed – 10.30 – 11.30am. Get creative and decorate your own witch or wizard hat with neon paint to complete your ‘trick or treat’ outfit.
2. Make Trick or Treat Tote Bags at the Eden Centre – High Wycombe. Children can decorate their own Trick or Treat Tote Bags ready to be filled with candy on Halloween. FREE.
3. Black Park Children’s Film Walk – Wexham. Productions popular with children that have filmed at Black Park over the years include: Harry Potter, Marvel, Jurassic World Dominion and Star Wars. Join us for a walk and talk around Black Park to look at some of these popular locations. On the walk you will be led by a member of the Country Parks team who has been involved with many of the visiting productions in recent years. They will bring their unique insight of filming in the park to life through their talk, slides and stories.
4. Halloween Kids Get Crafty at Chai Cocoa – Maidenhead. This is a lovely new soft play cafe which opened a few months ago. Join them at 9.30am for spooky T-shirt design and 11am for a spooky craft workshop.
5. Bat Trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Peter.Follow the bat trail to learn about 18 different varieties of bats. Take part in the spooky nature hunt to find the missing letters. Remember you can get 2 for 1 entry if you have a Gardeners World card.
6. Rangoli Sun Catcher Craft at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. As part of their Festival of Lights celebrations visitors will be invited to create and decorate a colourful stain glass rangoli sun catcher to hang in their window at home as well as rangoli mandala to colour in and decorate. Suitable for 3+
7. UNMASK workshops for 9-14 year olds at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury.  Participants will be invited to design their own masks reflecting the participants emotions, thoughts or designs on paper templates. The templates will be scanned and overlaid onto a digital 3D mask together with the artist. FREE.

Tuesday 25th October

1. Pebble Painting at The Cheese Shed – Nettlebed – 10.30am – 11.30am. Halloween Pebble Painting. There’s no need to book for this craft session (but RSVP so they know you’re going) and it’s FREE. One pebble per child.
2. Make Pumpkin Fairy Doors at the Eden Centre – High Wycombe. Bringing imaginations to life, little ones can decorate their very own Halloween themed fairy door to welcome the Autumn fairies! FREE
3. Dino Camp at Black Park – Wexham. Similar to Kids Go Wild Forest School but with  a dinosaur twist. You will get the chance to meet some dinosaurs, excavate to find fossils, create your own dinosaur mask and much more! Each child will also get a small dinosaur themed gift to take home with them.
4. Pumpkin Carving at Canvas & Clay Art Club – Beaconsfield – 11 – 12.30pm. Carve a pumpkin, create a creepy haunted house or make your own spooky flickering lantern at our Half Term Halloween Spooktacular! For ages 5-12.
5. Halloween Party at Robyn’s Nest Cafe  – Shinfield – 2pm. Join Sally from Tutus & Tiaras for our Halloween Party full of games, glitter tattoos and crafts as well as our Halloween themed afternoon tea.
6. Terrific Tuesday at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Peter – 11am-4pm. Come and take part in family crafts and activities all about bats, newts, owls and cats.
7. Affirmation Station Craft at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. The hanging poster will involve drawing a personal image along with positive affirmations all around the poster significant to themselves and their families, adorned with sequins and gems and small fun sized pictures to cut out and stick to the poster as a collage. Suitable for 3+
8. The Naughty Fox at Norden Farm – Maidenhead. Theatre show for 0-5 year olds. Set in the magical forest, Fox goes on an adventure to learn from the Aurora that sharing is caring. Feel your way through the immersive, multisensory journey of friendship and play for little ones and their grown-ups.

Wednesday 26th October

1. Dino Camp at Black Park – Wexham. Similar to Kids Go Wild Forest School but with  a dinosaur twist. You will get the chance to meet some dinosaurs, excavate to find fossils, create your own dinosaur mask and much more! Each child will also get a small dinosaur themed gift to take home with them.
2. Mummy Gingerbread Making at Eden Centre – High Wycombe. It’s all about the treats at Eden this Halloween as children transform Gingerbread men into scrumptious Mummies using fondant bandages! They can tuck into their creations there and then or take them home for a Halloween treat, if they can resist… FREE
3. Pumpkin Carving at Canvas & Clay Art Club – Marlow – 11 – 12.30pm. Carve a pumpkin, create a creepy haunted house or make your own spooky flickering lantern at our Half Term Halloween Spooktacular! For ages 5-12.
4. Halloween Kids Get Crafty at Chai Cocoa – Maidenhead. Join them at 1.30pm for spooky T-shirt design and 2.45pm for a spooky craft workshop.
5. Halloween Party at Robyn’s Nest Cafe  – Moss End – 2pm. Join Sally from Tutus & Tiaras for our Halloween Party full of games, glitter tattoos and crafts as well as our Halloween themed afternoon tea.
6. Bat Trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Peter.Follow the bat trail to learn about 18 different varieties of bats. Take part in the spooky nature hunt to find the missing letters. Remember you can get 2 for 1 entry if you have a Gardeners World card.
7. UNMASK family workshop for 4-9 year old at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. Using feathers and paint create your own mask to take home. Explore what emotions you may use on your masks? Will your mask be happy or sad? Excited or worried? Or a complete mixture! FREE.
8. Spy Monkey at Norden Farm – Maidenhead.  This is a comedy dance film – with a difference. The show features popular characters from the great Indian epic the Ramayana and includes live interaction with the cast. Suitable for ages 4+.
9. Spook About Disco at Sprouts Playbarn @ Millets Farm – Abingdon. Children can enjoy our huge play frame exploring all the play levels at night time with the lights down low and music up high! Come along in fancy dress and you might even bag yourself a prize for best costume!

Thursday 27th October

1. Make Magic Potion Bottles at Eden Centre – High Wycombe. Have your Witches and Wizards always wanted to create something magical? A teaspoon of frozen rainbow along with lots of other exciting ingredients will do just that! Once the potion is done, they can take their bottles home with them ready for Halloween. FREE
2. Spooktaculor at Zoomania – Aylesbury – 5.30 – 7.30pm.Visit the soft play centre for Halloween games, ghost hunt, fancy dress competition, spooky meals and squash.
3. . Learn to crochet and make a pumpkin or ghost in this Halloween-themed Kid’s Crochet Workshop.
4. Bat Trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Peter.Follow the bat trail to learn about 18 different varieties of bats. Take part in the spooky nature hunt to find the missing letters. Remember you can get 2 for 1 entry if you have a Gardeners World card.
5. Witch on a Broom Craft at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. Find out superstitions about witches and broomsticks. Make a broom from a stick, with a witch or wizard to sit on top and fly around at night! Suitable for 3+
6. Spook About Disco at Sprouts Playbarn @ Millets Farm – Abingdon. Children can enjoy our huge play frame exploring all the play levels at night time with the lights down low and music up high! Come along in fancy dress and you might even bag yourself a prize for best costume!

Friday 28th October

1. The Black Lion Wizard School – Naphill – from 12pm. Spell writing, Cauldron designing, potion making, spooky arts and crafts and potion making
2. Make Your Own Spell Book at Eden Centre – High Wycombe. Double double toil and trouble, children will love decorating their own spell books and adding spells to cast on Halloween! FREE
3. Bertie Slippers Halloween Special at The Cheese Shed – Nettledbed – 10.30 – 11.3oam. Music and entertainment with balloons afterwards. Halloween fancy dress. FREE, no need to book (but RSVP so they know you’re going)
4. Kids Go Wild Halloween Special at Black Park – Wexham   Forest School fun! There will be lots of things to get involved in including the mud kitchen, digging pit, bug hunting and more.
5. Halloween Disco at Yarnton Magic Garden – Kidlington. Dress to impress for the Halloween Disco in the Party Room in the Magic Garden Soft Play.
6. Halloween Party at Jakes Playbarn – Sandhurst – 6-9pm. Enjoy playing on the frame, food for both adults & children and lots of great Halloween activities! All followed by a family disco.
7. Spooktaculor at Zoomania – Aylesbury – 5.30 – 7.30pm.Visit the soft play centre for Halloween games, ghost hunt, fancy dress competition, spooky meals and squash.
8. Bat Trail at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Peter.Follow the bat trail to learn about 18 different varieties of bats. Take part in the spooky nature hunt to find the missing letters. Remember you can get 2 for 1 entry if you have a Gardeners World card.
9. Make a Fear Eating Monster – Clay Workshop at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. Book in for a taught clay workshop where one of our learning team will show you how to create your own scary monster…but don’t worry, this monster is your friend and it is designed to eat up all of your Halloween fears in its huge greedy jaws. Suitable for 6+.
10. Spooky Arts & Crafts at Norden Farm – Maidenhead. Ssuitable for ages 3 – 8 years. With the chance to make a Dangling Ghost Wand or a Spooky Mask, the creations are perfect for trick or treat.

Saturday 29th October

1. Halloween Crafts at Canvas & Clay Art Club – Beaconsfield – 9 – 10.30am. All children will get their own pumpkin to either paint or carve (under adult supervision!) using our pre-made templates, or they can help you to make your very own creepy creation to take home and proudly display. Children can also make their own amazing Halloween lantern at our craft station using card and tissue paper. Ages 18 months – 5 years.
2. The Missing Spell Book Quest Trail and Face Painting at The Old Shed – Charlbury. Will you help Betty the witch and Mandy the black cat to find the missing pages from their spell book to make a magic potion? Follow the trail around the forest to figure out Betty’s recipe! Don’t forget to look out for pumpkins along the way.
3. Spooktaculor at Zoomania – Aylesbury – 5.30 – 7.30pm.Visit the soft play centre for Halloween games, ghost hunt, fancy dress competition, spooky meals and squash.
4. Live Book Reading: Prince of Dragons, volume 1. at Ashridge House – Berkshire. Pam will be hosting two Live sessions about Princess Elvie and her friend Flint’s adventures at Ashridge Castle, complete with a wonderful introduction and live reading exert. The session will be followed by a short guided creative activity. The stories are recommended for children 9+. Halloween costumes are very much encouraged!
5. Henley Spooktacular Bonfire & Fireworks – Henley – 4-9pm. Dress up and come and enjoy a Fairground, Hot Food & Drink, Bonfire, Light Show and, most importantly, a jaw dropping 30 minute Fireworks Display Choreographed to a freaky Halloween Soundtrack.
6. Pumpkin Patch at Magnolia Park – High Wycombe. A range of pumpkins to choose from and unlimited rides for only £7.50 each! In addition, there will be a spooktacular Trick or Treat trail with a gift for each child, face painting and Halloween arts & crafts (extra charge).
7. The Black Lion Halloween & Fireworks Party – Naphill. Prizes for best dressed, free kids face painting, spooky drinks specials, frightfully delicious BBQ.
8. Halloween Costume Party at Full of Beans Cafe – Chesham. 2pm. Purchase tickets from the play cafe.
9. Halloween Activities at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Giles – Spooky nature hunt, bat trail, storytelling, crafts, woodland hocus pocus, creepy crawlies, grave digging and more.
10. Family Halloween Event at Discover Bucks Museum – Aylesbury. Come dressed in your best costumes to party the day away at Discover Bucks Museum. Meet our storytelling witch, visit our spooky dark den, and put on a shadow puppet show. Are you brave enough to drink some witch’s brew? Or to search for spiders in the slime? Take part in the fun and games including digging in our boneyard and things to make and take home.
11. Halloween Storytime and Craft at High Wycombe Library (floor 1)- 11am-12pm. Join them for spooky stories and making pumpkin decorations. Dressing up encouraged. FREE.
12. Spooky Concertini with Jonny and Raindrops at Norden Farm – Maidenhead. There are plenty of spooky songs as the band’s music is brought to life. Johnny and the Raindrops promise to get the audience moving, grooving, and shaking this half term. You can even wiggle along with the five Halloween worms and meet the monster with twelve belly buttons! Aimed at ages 0-8.

Sunday 30th October

1. Halloween Cookie Decorating at The Cheese Shed – Nettlebed – 10.30 – 11.30am. Cookie Decorating, Face painting and a Halloween Hunt (the hunt is free, cookie decorating is £5).
2. Pumpkin Patch at Magnolia Park – High Wycombe. A range of pumpkins to choose from and unlimited rides for only £7.50 each! In addition, there will be a spooktacular Trick or Treat trail with a gift for each child, face painting and Halloween arts & crafts (extra charge).
3. Halloween Ghost Hunt at Wycombe Museum – High Wycombe – 2-6pm. Come dressed up and ready to scare as you take part in ghoulish games and creepy crafts in this after-dark experience. Create your own customised treat bag for trick or treating, hunt our house and grounds in our Halloween trail, decorate biscuits in your scariest designs and take part in more spooky games!
4. Halloween Activities at Chiltern Open Air Museum – Chalfont St Giles – Spooky nature hunt, bat trail, storytelling, crafts, woodland hocus pocus, creepy crawlies, grave digging and more.

Halloween and Autumn Trails

1. Scarecrow Trail at Cliveden National Trust – 22nd – 30th October. This half term, local community groups are each making a scarecrow as part of our autumn scarecrow trail. Admire their handiwork and draw one of your own before heading to the Info Centre to make a miniature scarecrow from a bamboo spoon. There is no need to book for this event. While the trail is free of charge, we ask for a suggested donation of £1 per child to take part in the craft activity.
2. Binfield Scarecrow Hunt – Binfield – 22nd – 30th October – one of our favourite scarecrow trails as the residents of Binfield go all out with their Scarecrow making!
3. Pumpkin Hunt at Bunkers Hill Garden Shop – Kidlington – 1st – 31st October. This event is always raved about by The Family Ticket! Visit the nursery for the Pumpkin Hunt, vote for your favourite of the Ugly Mug Pumpkin Parade & Guess the weight of Big Bertha (for a chance to win them!)
4. The Missing Spell Book Quest Trail at The Old Shed – Charlbury. Will you help Betty the witch and Mandy the black cat to find the missing pages from their spell book to make a magic potion? Follow the trail around the forest to figure out Betty’s recipe! Don’t forget to look out for pumpkins along the way. £1 per sheet.
5. Waterperry Scarecrow Trail 1th-31st October. Find scarecrows hidden around Waterperry Gardens and collect a prize.
6. Great Missenden Village Halloween Trail 22nd – 31st October. Buy your trail sheet from Samways, Station Approach. £2 per child, includes prize at end.. Cash only.
7. The Chalfont Creepy Crawl 31st October from 5pm. So many people have recommend this trail to me as it was a huge success last year! Follow their page for details on where to collect maps from.
8. Marlow Bottom’s Annual Scarecrow Festival 23rd – 29th October. Trail maps are available for £2 at Tin Town, Barn Club and Da Luca. We’ve done this trail twice and love it. The houses go to a lot of effort with the scarecrows and this year there at 74 houses taking part.

I really hope you find the guide useful! These things take a LONG time to put together, this one more than any due to the huge number of events taking place, so if you fancy buying me a coffee as a small thanks here’s the link Buy me a coffee.

The post Halloween, Pumpkins and October Half Term appeared first on Baby in Bucks.

Splash Parks and Outdoor Paddling Pools

Odds Farm

The splash park at Odds Farm, H₂Odds has 28 water play features and over 80 metres of channels, streams and pools so there is loads to keep your little ones entertained.

On our last visit to Odds Farm H₂Odds hadn’t reopened yet but you can read our review on the rest of the park here.

Cost: included in the entry price (click here for prices)

Location: High Wycombe, HP10 0LX

For more information and to book visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk

Wellington Country Park

The Splash Zone is open every day from 10.30 to 5.30pm. It can get fairly busy in the Splash Zone so it’s well worth getting there for 10.30am as we’ve found it much quieter then and have sometimes had it almost to ourselves.

Read our latest review on Wellington Country Park here.

Cost: included in the entry price (read blog for latest pricing)

Location: Riseley, RG7 1SP

For more information and to book visit www.wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

California Country Park

The paddling pool at California Country Park will reopen on 16th July. Sessions must be pre-booked and last for 1 hour 45 minutes.

Cost: £2.60 for anyone entering the water and £1 for adults who need to enter the pool area to supervise children, but not the pool itself.

Location: Wokingham, RG40 4HU

For more information and to book visit https://www.dinton-pastures.co.uk/california/paddling-pool/

Splash ‘n’ Play at Willen Lake

This is the largest outdoor splash park in the UK with over 60 unique water features! As well as the normal sessions there are also special sessions for under 5’s and SEN.

Cost: £5 per child for 45 minutes. Accompanying adults go free.

Location: Milton Keynes, MK15 0DS

For more information and to book visit https://www.willenlake.org.uk/activities/off-the-water/splash-n-play/general-sessions/

Beale Wildlife Park

There’s an outdoor paddling pool here which is located next to the playgrounds, Little Tikes Toddler Village and giant sandpit.

Cost: included in the entry price  – £14.50 for adults, £11.50 for children and under 2’s are free.

Cassiobury Park Splash Park

This is one of my favourite splash parks and it’s FREE! The splash park features 3 splash pads, water jets and fountains. It’s a really big area and it’s enclosed. There’s a café kiosk inside the splash park and plenty of seating so you can enjoy a coffee whilst your little ones run around.

Cost: Free, but you need to book a slot.

Location: Watford, WD18 7LG

For more information and to book visit https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/cassiobury-park-paddling-pools/

Gadebridge Splash Park

Gadebridge Park is a lovely big park in Hemel Hempstead with some great play areas. The splash park is free to visit and no booking is required. It’s a large area with loads of water jets for them to run through.

Cost: Free

Location: Hemel Hempstead, HP1 1DN

For more information visit https://www.dacorum.gov.uk/home/leisure-culture/parks-play-and-open-spaces/gadebridge-park-hemel-hempstead/gadebridge-park-attractions

Cutteslowe Splash Park

We absolutely love Cutteslowe Park in Oxford for a free day out. It’s a huge park with multiple play areas, a big sandpit area, miniature railway (on selected dates and a small charge), duck pond and a splash park. The splash park itself is small and a bit run down, but the kids love it and it’s enclosed. There are water jets, overhead fountains and buckets dropping water as well as pumps and water channels for them to play with.

You’ll also find various sports courts at Cutteslowe Park, miniature golf, a butterfly house and loads more.

Cost: FREE

Location: Oxford, OX2 8NP

For more information visit https://www.oxford.gov.uk/directory_record/363/cutteslowe_and_sunnymead_park

Splashlands at Stanborough Park

This is another amazing FREE splash park over in Hertfordshire by Welwyn Garden City. There’s a paddling river which runs through the splash pad area and a nautical-themed playground iwht a large pirate ship. The splash pad is full of jets and pads that activate water sprays when they are jumped on.

Cost: Free, but it’s advised you book though the Better UK app.

Location: Welwyn Garden City, AL8 6WW

For more information visit https://one.welhat.gov.uk/Splashlands

Lammas Recreation Ground Splash Park

The Lammas Recreation Ground is a family park right next to the River Thames. With a large picnic field, two childrens play areas, a splash park, access to the river frontage, tennis courts and run by The Little Green Boat Company, a café, mini golf and boat hire.

Cost: Free

Location: Staines, TW18 4UA

For more information visit https://www.spelthorne.gov.uk/article/17482/Lammas-Recreation-Park

Lido’s

Wycombe Rye Lido

I absolutely the heated outdoor pool at Wycombe Rye Lido. When we lived there I’d go a few times a week for a swim. They run family swim sessions where they remove a lot of the lanes from the main pool.

There is also a shallow toddler pool next to the main pool, but it’s not always open.

Cost: £8 for adults, £4 children

Location: HP11 1QX

For more information and to book visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/wycombe-rye-lido

Chesham Outdoor Pool

Chesham’s heated open air pool is open year round. They run family swim sessions, pre-school sessions and even inflatable sessions at the weekend.

Cost: £6 for adults, £3 for juniors and under 5’s are free

Location: Chesham, HP5 1LF

For more information and to book visit https://cheshammoorfitness.org.uk/swim/

Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool

Hinksey lido is also heated and now open for the summer. It’s a lovely big family friendly pool in Hinksey Park.

Cost: £2.60 for adults and £3.30 for juniors

Location: Oxford, OX1 4PZ

For more information and to book visit https://www.fusion-lifestyle.com/centres/hinksey-outdoor-pool/activities/

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Wild Play Trail

Here is the map for the old Wild Play Trail. Lots of it has disappeared but there’s still enough to more than entertain your little ones on the 2.5 mile walk. Don’t worry if that sounds like too long a walk there is an option to make it shorter. It’s also fairly buggy friendly if you have a sturdy buggy. Remember to save this map as it’s no longer available from the estate. I was sent this map from Lisa at The Family Ticket.

The first two stops on the Basildon Park play trail are more ball runs. I recommend taking your own balls as you have to pay to rent them and they aren’t always available. A tennis ball or similar would do. After that just carry on along the trail and you’ll find obstacles to walk over, a random height chart, stepping stones, running track, bug hotel, den building and more!

Basildon Park Estate

Even without the play trail it’s a lovely National Trust to visit. The house and gardens are beautiful and a lovely place to walk around and have a picnic. There’s also a cafe up at the house and sometimes the food kiosk down in the court yard at the entrance is open too. There are many walking trails, ranging in length, around the parkland too. In the summer there are cows grazing in the fields you walk through too.

National Trust Membership

We have been National Trust members for 4 years now and it’s been my best ever purchase. We use it nearly every week at our favourite local estates and also when we go away on holiday around the UK.

Here are annual prices to become a National Trust member.

Individual: £76.80

Two adults: £127.20

Family (two adults): £133.80
Two adults (aged 18+) living at the same address and their children or grandchildren (17 or under). Under 5s go free.

Family (one adult): £83.40
One adult (aged 18+) and their children or grandchildren (17 or under). Under 5s go free.

All of the above memberships can be split across 12 months and paid monthly.

Entry to Basildon Park for a one off visit is £15 for adults, £7.59 for children or £37.50 for a family ticket. If you are planning to visit a National Trust estate more than 4 times in a year then it’s worth getting a membership.

Click here to become a National Trust member.

I am a National Trust affiliate partner and earn a small commission off all membership sales. However I am only recommending it as I genuinely love visiting National Trust estates and think it’s excellent value for money! 

Tickets: No longer required, just turn up and pay on the day (or show your membership card).

Pram friendly: Yes. The trail is also pram friendly as long as you have a fairly sturdy one. Smaller lightweight buggies might struggle on some of the woodland paths.

Bike & scooter friendly: Bikes are not allowed in National Trust Estates. Some of the paths here would be ok for scooters but not the play trail.

Location & parking: Lower Basildon, Reading. Free parking onsite.

Sat nav:RG8 9NR

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Musical Trail

The Grove Hotel have created some fantastic nature trails within their estate including the musical trail. The mile long trail includes 7 different music stations with a range of instruments including xylophones, pan pipes and organ pipes.

Picnics

There are large picnic benches at most of the music stops so it’s a great place to enjoy a picnic. Just bear in mind there are no toilets unless you’re staying at the hotel.

Wildflowers & Bluebells

During bluebell season the whole woodland is covered in bluebells. It’s absolutely beautiful! Then in early Summer at the end of the musical trail you’ll come out at a spectacular field of wildflowers with a colourful carpet of poppies in orange, yellow, red and pinks. It makes the most amazing backdrop for photos!

As with all wildflower meadows please be careful not to trample of the flowers and don’t pick them.

Best bits: We absolutely love it here and have been back several times already since discovering it and she enjoys it more every time we go. The trail is the perfect length for tiny legs to walk it on their own and the music stops add lots of fun!

Worst bits: There aren’t any public toilets. Obviously there are at the hotel itself so you could always treat yourself to lunch or afternoon tea after your walk and problem solved!

Pram friendly: Yes

Bike & scooter friendly: Yes

Location & parking: The musical trail begins in the woodland next to The Grove Hotel, view the trail map here.

The Grove have confirmed that they are happy for non guests to enjoy their woodland trails and park in their car park during the Easter holidays. After Easter they are happy for non residents to use the car park as long as it’s not busy. This is only likely to be an issue during peak summer months. The best place to park is next to Anouska’s children’s nursery which is signposted once you reach the car park. Once parked walk past Anouska’s and the children’s playground and there is an entrance to the woods on your right. Follow the path round until you see sign posts for the different trails. Take the route to the right to start the musical trail.

Sat nav: Use postcode WD17 3NL rather than the hotel address as you’ll end up completely lost. Once you take the turning into the hotel you will come to a bridge with traffic lights. Be patient, they can take forever to change but they do eventually!

Cost: Completely free, even the parking

Baby in Bucks Tips

• Dress children in long trousers if you are visiting the wildflowers as there are thistles and nettles within the flowers. There are plenty of routes to avoid them, you just need to be careful.
• Take your own stick for the musical instruments (we used a xylophone stick). There are ones provided at most stations, but sometimes they are missing/you might not want to touch them.

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