ESHER AND WEYBRIDGE WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO DO P6 HOLIDAY CAMPS AND CLUBS P27 WHAT’S ON THIS SUMMER P4 raring2go.co.uk SUMMER 2023 MAGAZINE & WEBSITE THE GO-TO GUIDE FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD
Creative Courage For Life® Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Unlock your child’s potential Performing Arts Schools CHERTSEY 0772 517 6102 stagecoach.co.uk/chertsey LEATHERHEAD & BOOKHAM 0772 517 6102 stagecoach.co.uk/leatherhead WALTON-ON-THAMES 01932 506806 stagecoach.co.uk/walton WEYBRIDGE 07939 208234 stagecoach.co.uk/weybridge COBHAM 07484 208274 stagecoach.co.uk/cobham HINCHLEY WOOD AND ESHER 01372 238238 stagecoach.co.uk/hinchleywood Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds CHILDCARE VOUCHERS ACCEPTED
3 Get in Touch: 07858 751776 esherandweybridge@raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Welcome to the Summer Edition Welcome to the Summer edition! After such a wet Spring, let’s hope that we have a good summer. Whilst I can’t guarantee a summer of sunshine, I can ensure you have lots to do whatever the weather. With the summer holidays on their way, this edition brings you loads of ideas for fun days out, holiday clubs, and things to make or do. Make sure you use your 10% discount with Camp Beaumont, 10% off at the Look Out Discovery Centre, or a 15% discount when you take to the Thames in a GoBoat. When you are talking to local businesses, please remember to tell them that you saw them in Raring2go, and please use the QR codes in the magazine. Please also check our website, which contains a mix of both local and national information including exclusive Raring2go! discounts and offers, competitions, recipes and ideas to entertain the whole family, both indoors and out, together with events and information on local businesses and attractions. Make sure your localise to ensure you are seeing the most relevant information to you. Have a great Summer! Kirsten Hackman xx
4 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! What’s on this Summer June / July Now Open Garsons Pick your Own Farm Throughout the season you may be able to pick from delicious fruits, including Garsons famous strawberries and apples, fresh vegetables such as courgettes and sweetcorn, or even bright sunflowers. Check the website throughout the summer months for crop availability. garsons.co.uk/pyo-farm Running Now Kingston upon Thames Town Centre Chimps are Family Sculpture Trail Pick up a free Chimp Trail map, then touch, hug or take a selfie with each of our ten life-like chimp sculptures, at locations across the town, and get a glimpse into the life of a chimp and the many behaviours we share with our ape cousins. kingstonuponthames.info Booking Now GoBoat Kingston or Thames Ditton Board your very own GoBoat and take the family for a trip down the Thames on a unique and eco-friendly outdoor experience. goboat.co.uk Running until Sunday 10th September WWT London Wetland Centre Quentin Blake: Drawn to Water Collect an illustrated guide full of Quentin Blake’s drawings and journey around our wonderful wetland world this summer. Plus take part in art and illustration activities aimed at all ages and abilities. wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/ Sunday 2nd July - Sunday 13th August Claremont Live! On selected dates, enjoy a season of summer evening entertainment, bringing something for all the family, including Peter Pan or Robin Hood, plus three evenings of outdoor cinema. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/ claremont-landscape-garden What’s On This Summer Friday 7th - Sunday 9th July Richmond Theatre Winnie the Pooh Featuring the Sherman Brothers’ classic Grammy Award-winning music with further songs by A.A. Milne, this beautiful fresh stage adaptation is told with stunning life-sized puppetry through the eyes of the characters we all know and love, in a new story from the Hundred Acre Wood. www.atgtickets.com/ shows/winnie-the-pooh/richmond-theatre/ Saturday 15th July – Mon 28th August Hever Castle and Gardens Knights of Royal England - Jousting Running on selected dates, the popular annual Jousting Tournaments with The Knights of Royal England will be entertaining visitors with exhilarating displays of action, stunts, falls and fights in an authentic arena, complete with a Royal Box. Battling it out in the saddle and on foot in one-to-one combat, the valiant knights will compete for points to find this season’s ultimate champion. www.hevercastle.co.uk Thursday 20th July – Sun 3rd September Lyric Theatre, London The Smeds and the Smoos Soar into space with this exciting adaptation of the award-winning book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. On a far-off planet, Smeds and Smoos can’t be friends. So when a young Smed and Smoo fall in love and zoom off into space together, how will their families get them back? Age 3+ nimaxtheatres.com/ shows/the-smeds-and-the-smoos/ Saturday 22nd July – Saturday 2nd Sept Brooklands Museum Marvellous Inventions Join us this Summer to discover marvellous inventions, inspired by the brand new Barnes Wallis exhibition. Uncover the marvellous inventions of Brooklands with a new discovery trail that takes you on a journey through the historic site. Drop into the family craft workshop to learn more about design and simulation work, and join London Bus Museum on a vintage bus ride around the local area. Plus the under 5’s can enjoy the pedal planes and pedal cars. www.brooklandsmuseum.com/ Get 15% off your GoBoat when you use the promo code RARING2GO. See page 9 for details.
5 Raring2go! What’s on this Summer Sat 22nd July – Sunday 3rd September Godstone Farm Hay Down How Down It’s all about Country this summer! Activities include shoot outs, line dancing, crafty cactuses, lasso lessons, horse shoe throwing, pony grooming plus all the usual farmyard fun. godstonefarm.co.uk Saturday 22nd July – Sunday 3rd Sept Hever Castle and Gardens Heroes and Villains School Discover secret signs and calls, test your skills to become the hero and defeat the villain at each turn, fight the last battle - who will be the last standing? Sport your best capped crusader costume to really get into the spirit of the school. Additionally, on selected dates, be entertained by the Falconry display, or watch the jousting. www.hevercastle.co.uk Saturday 22nd July – Sunday 3rd Sept A Summer of Fun at Bocketts Farm! Enjoy a jam-packed day out with friendly animals and a full programme of fun farm fun. bockettsfarm.co.uk Sat 22nd July – Saturday 9th September Painshill Art Trail This summer artwork, old and new, featuring Painshill will be displayed around the landscape. Take a selfie in the giant gold frames that are positioned in front of famous Painshill views, and immerse yourself in a ‘living work of art’. painshill.co.uk Thursday 27th July – Sat 2nd September Garrick Theatre, London Terrible Tudors We all want to meet people from history. The trouble is everyone is dead! From the horrible Henries to the end of evil Elizabeth, hear the legends (and the lies!) about the torturing Tudors. Find out the fate of Henry’s headless wives and his punch up with the Pope. Meet Bloody Mary and see Ed fall dead in his bed. Survive the Spanish Armada as they launch their attack! It’s history with the nasty bits left in! terribletudors.com Friday 28th July - Friday 25th August Summer of Play at Morden Hall Park A season of Summer outdoor family theatre for everyone to enjoy. Bring your picnics and deck chairs and enjoy the performances that include the Wizard of Oz, Peter Rabbit and Bad Dad. www.nationaltrust. org.uk/visit/london/morden-hall-park Monday 31st July – Sunday 3rd Sept Chessington World of Adventures Resort Wilderfest Get ready to Croc ‘n Roll as Britain’s WIIILDEST family music festival returns for its third year this summer. Come rain or shine, you’ll see the Resort come to life, with live music across our stages, roaming entertainment, mouth-watering festival food, plus a whole load of family summer fun - you’ll be singing, dancing, and of course riding, all day long! Running from 31st July – 3rd September, WILDERFEST is perfect for young festival-goers - so whether it’s your first one ever, or your first one this year – don’t miss out! chessington.com Wednesday 2nd – Sunday 6th August Hampton Court Palace Henry VIII’s Joust Be dazzled by a real Tudor joust at the home of Henry VIII – a famous jouster himself. www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace Bank Holiday Monday 28th August Epsom Downs Racecourse Family Fun Day It’s an afternoon of fantastic live racing action combined with free entertainment for the little ones away from the track. thejockeyclub.co.uk/epsom Tuesday 29th Aug - Saturday 9th Sept Rose Theatre Kingston BLIPPI – The Wonderful World Tour Get ready to shake those wiggles out and OJ Twist your way through this brand-new musical party! rosetheatre.org/ Sunday 17th September Brooklands Museum Emergency Services Day Every conceivable vehicle and pieces of apparatus used in the emergency services will grace the Museum site in an impressive line-up of display and serving vehicles, giving visitors an exciting but safe environment for you to witness the serious nature of what men and women do all over the country every day to make our world safe and save lives. Plus Skye, Chase and Marshall from PAW Patrol will be making special appearances. brooklandsmuseum.com August / September
6 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go GARRICK THEATRE 27 JULY – 2 SEPTEMBER FAMILY TICKET FROM £90! terribletudors.com Book online today!
Mercedes-Benz World, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0SL. Tel 0370 400 4000. No licence. No problem. Anyone over 1.5m tall can drive at Mercedes-Benz World. Search Mercedes-Benz World to find out more.
8 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Take the Family and Board your GoBoat Tell us about your new location in Thames Ditton? We opened in Thames Ditton at the beginning of May. Despite only being a short journey up the river from Kingston, the tranquil riverside location of Thames Ditton gives a different perspective of The Thames. Seeing Hampton Court Palace from the water provides a unique viewpoint, and it’s reachable during a one hour booking from Thames Ditton. There are also lots of great local cafes in the village to pick up a tasty picnic before you head out on the boats. What makes GoBoat the perfect experience for families? Since both the Kingston and Thames Ditton locations are on the River Thames, you get to see lots of interesting wildlife that the kids can spot along the way. There are also lots of other friendly water users, from paddle steamers to paddleboarders, who you can wave hello to on your journey. GoBoats are really easy to steer and the River Thames provides plenty of space for everyone to enjoy the water safely. That means it’s great fun even if you’ve never driven a boat before. What do you love about working at GoBoat? It’s great to get more people experiencing the waterways first-hand. Seeing families come back from their trips having had a great time is very rewarding. As well as that, a lot of research has shown that being on and around the water improves mental wellbeing; I’ve found that working by the water provides me with a sense of calm and positivity. What’s your best GoBoat memory? There are so many! From taking my young nieces and nephews on a boat for the first time to birthdays and watching the sunset over the river with friends. Having personally made so many incredible memories on a GoBoat, spending time with your favourite people onboard is something I think is very special and cannot recommend more. GoBoat Kingston is located on Riverside Walk in Kingston. GoBoat Thames Ditton is located at 40 Summer Road, Thames Ditton. Both locations are open 7 days a week and prices start from £95 per boat for one hour. Advanced booking is strongly recommended. Visit goboat.co.uk for more information. Spend quality time outdoors on the waterways this summer With warmer weather finally upon us, it’s the perfect time to board your very own GoBoat and spend a few hours on the water together. Chileshé manages GoBoat Kingston, as well as the brand new location in Thames Ditton. Here’s what he told us about why you need to book a GoBoat trip this summer. Key info: • Each GoBoat seats up to 8 passengers, including children and babies • Rent your GoBoat for between one and four hours • No prior boating experience is required. The captain (driver) of the GoBoat must be aged 18 or over • Lifejackets are provided for children • Alcohol can be consumed on the boat, but the captain must always remain sober USE PROMO CODE RARING2GO TO GET 15% OFF YOUR GOBOAT
@GoBoatLDN @GoBoatUK Explore the Thames on a GoBoat Now departing from Kingston and Thames Ditton Use promo code 'RARING2GO' for 15% off Offer valid until 31.07.23 goboat.co.uk
10 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! What to Do and Where to Go
11 Raring2go! What to Do and Where to Go Landscape Garden Tea Room Gift Shop Natural Play Area painshill.co.uk Free tickets for the under 5s Bikes or scooters allowed for the under 5s Dogs welcome on leads Paved accessible route available Discover Painshill this Summer SUMMER HOLIDAY ART TRAIL & ACTIVITIES WHERE THE WALK IS A WORK OF ART
EXPLORE THE WORLD’S FIRST JUMANJI THEMED LAND AND A WHOLE HOST OF EVENT-URES AT CHESSINGTON WORLD OF ADVENTURES RESORT Escaped from the cinema and way beyond the board game, World of Jumanji sucks families in! Follow the footsteps of Dr. Bravestone, through a whole world of adventures to locate the Jaguar’s Eye Jewel, lift the curse and save Jumanji! Brave adventurers will discover THREE new theme park rides, including the world’s ONLY Jumanji rollercoaster, Mandrill Mayhem. The first adventure, Mandrill Mayhem, sweeps riders in the long arms of a mandrill, as the horde whisks those from just 1.2m tall around the sites of Jumanji, all while dodging the hazards of the jungle. The most fearsome of all the wild animals, the mandrills are unpredictable and will launch at full speed through treetops, flipping upside down on a hair-raising adventure, spiralling to the summit of the 55ft tall Jaguar Shrine. Glimpse the Jaguar’s Eye Jewel glow before falling and braving the adventure again… backwards! Two further adventures in the World of Jumanji await families… Swerve a herd of stampeding ostriches on a whirlwind ride in the dunes on Ostrich Stampede and dodge the fangs of the black mamba on a dizzying and untameable ride in the heart of the bazaar on Mamba Strike. But that’s not all as the ultimate family-friendly Resort welcomes back seasonal events including Wilderfest, Howl’o’ween & Winter’s Tail across the year. Kick-start your summer right and experience Britain’s wildest music festival, Wilderfest, which starts on July 31, and runs through until September 3. Set amongst the wilds of the Theme Park and Zoo, get the whole family ready to croc n’ roll as the Park comes alive with roaming entertainment and the buzz of live music. When the sun sets, things are planned to get extra spooky this Halloween… Join Chessington World of Adventures Resort by celebrating the most frightful time of year between October 14 and October 30 for their haunting and hair-raisingly hilarious Howl’o’ween event! Finish the year with some festive fun, as Winter’s Tail returns to Chessington World of Adventures Resort this Christmas. Meet Father Christmas and his mischievous elves, enjoy selected Theme Park rides and Zoo, all included in the ticket price - plus much more - running on selected dates from November 25 through to December 30. You can find out more information and book your next WILD adventure by visiting chessington.com.
14 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go Where a Love of History is Set in Motion CHILDHOOD HOME OF ANNE BOLEYN 2994-Advert-For-Raring-To-Go-129x89mm-AW.indd 1 30/05/2023 11:13 From fun challenges to falconry displays and Jousting, summer at Hever Castle promises something for all the family. Throughout the summer holidays (22 July - 3 September) take part in a series of hands-on activities and challenges as part of Heroes and Villains School (included in normal admission rates). Discover secret signs and calls, test your skills to become the hero and defeat the villain at each turn, fight the last battle - who will be the last standing? Sport your best capped crusader costume to really get into the spirit of the school. On selected days in July and August be entertained by the falconry displays from Birds of Prey Willow Centre in Sevenoaks with two displays a day or watch the thrilling Jousting tournaments (also on selected dates). BSL interpreted Jousting and falconry displays will be on offer for deaf and hard of hearing visitors at certain times, see hevercastle.co.uk for more information. Discover more about Anne Boleyn and Catherine of Aragon in the Castle as part of a new exhibition running until November and keep younger ones entertained with a free family audio guide (included with castle admission). A visit to Hever Castle is a perfect day out for the whole family with 150 acres of open space, glorious gardens, the fun Water Maze (will you get out without getting wet?) and three play areas including the Tudor Towers adventure playground. Also try your hand at archery or boating on the Hever Lake (daily during school holidays – additional charge). Bring a picnic to enjoy the stunning grounds or choose from a selection of homemade food from the various outlets throughout the gardens. Finish your day off with a face paint (selected dates, additional charge). Summer at Hever Castle: Fun for the whole family
Raring2go! What to Do and Where to Go 15 Head into Kingston upon Thames this summer to experience our unique ‘Chimps are Family’ FREE sculpture trail. Touch, hug or take a selfie with each of our ten life-like chimp sculptures, at locations across the town, and get a glimpse into the life of a chimp and the many behaviours we share with our ape cousins. Pick up a free Chimp Trail map from local businesses or download it from: kingstonuponthames.info or lovethelast.com. Plus, scan the QR code on each sculpture to reveal each chimp’s backstory, the importance of conservation and how you can support the WWF’s work. This public art exhibition is a partnership between internationally-renowned artists Gillie and Marc and Kingston First, the town's Business Improvement District representing and supporting local businesses. #ChimpsAreFamily #LoveTheLast FOLLOW THE TRAIL AND FALL IN LOVE WITH OUR CLOSEST LIVING RELATIVES PUBLIC ART EXHIBITION KINGSTON UPON THAMES SCAN FOR MORE GILLIEANDMARC.COM LOVETHELAST.COM @GILLIEANDMARCART Picture credit: Chris Dalton / Gillie & Marc The Smeds and the Smoos © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 2019, published by Scholastic The Gruffalo © Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler 1999 – Macmillan Children’s Books From the company that brought you LIVE ON STAGE ONE4REVIEW HHHHH EDINBURGHFESTIVALSFORKIDS.COM HHHHH A stellar new show based on the book by JULIA DONALDSON and AXEL SCHEFFLER THE PERFECT SUMMER TREAT Thu 20 Jul – Sun 3 Sep BOOK NOW 0330 333 4812 Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, West End Tickets from £10 BOOK HERE LIVE ON STAGE
16 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Brooklands Museum this Summer Introducing a new event for all generations to enjoy, Working Vehicles Day on 8th July will appeal to the kid in us all, as the site will be filled with machines such as tractors, mobile cranes, airfield vehicles and more. Some of the less frequently seen parts of the Museum’s collection will be on display as well as lots of visiting vehicles. Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Dambusters Raid in May, Brooklands Museum launched a new exhibition ’Inventing the future: The Innovations of Sir Barnes Wallis’, focusing on the pioneer’s incredible life and career. Visitors can learn about Wallis’ extraordinary contributions to engineering and science, and how they continue to impact today’s designs and technologies. Be transported this summer at Brooklands Museum Not forgetting, each year Brooklands Museum hosts special event days dedicated to particular motoring marques, and this summer, it’ll be hosting its very first French Day on 13th August. Then take a drive down route 66, as American Day (3rd September) makes its return. Think Chevrolets, Cadillacs, Mustangs, trucks, stars and stripes, and a whole lot more. Easily accessible by car or train, parking is free and there’s a café and plenty of picnic space available. The great value family tickets start at £33.55 or enjoy Brooklands Museum for the entire year with family membership starting from just £75.00 for unlimited admission including event days. in authentic attire from the past, will be transporting visitors to a different era, providing insight into the amazing inventions and discoveries of the time. Then get interactive in the award-winning Brooklands Aircraft Factory and have a go at making and designing your own aircraft or drive a bus around the streets of London in the Bus Driver Training Simulator. Plus, you could build a race car at the LEGO building station in the McLaren: Driven by Design exhibition, before heading to the Grand Prix Exhibition to drive around the Brooklands track in a Formula 1 simulator. Later, the much-loved Emergency Services Day on 17th September is back once again, giving everyone a chance to thank the everyday heroes of our country, with PAW Patrol’s Skye, Chase and Marshall coming back to say hello. Head down to Brooklands Museum for an incredible day out for the whole family. Throughout the school holidays there’ll be traditional lawn games, problem-solving trails, vintage bus rides, pedal planes, Concorde walkthroughs, family workshops and so much more. Also, the costumed interpreters, dressed Book your next fun day via www.brooklandsmuseum.com.
SCAN HERE for more! Vintage Bus Rides Family Workshops Concorde Supersonic Walkthroughs Inventions Discovery Trail & Prize Brilliant Discover the Brains of Brooklands! BOOK ONLINE TO SAVE VIABROOKLANDSMUSEUM.COM WEYBRIDGE, SURREY BROOKLANDSMUSEUM FREE FOR MEMBERS 22ND JULY – 2ND SEPT HILDA HEWlETT: Let’s build our own... Flying machines! Sir barnes wallis: Let’s bring the sky... To earth! Reid railton: Let’s put a plane engine... In a car!
19 Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go © National Trust 2020. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/John Miller at Claremont Landscape Garden 2 July - 13 August Summer outdoor theatre, dance, music and cinema for all the family. Visit the website or scan the QR code for full programme and tickets nationaltrust.org.uk/Claremont Social icon Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines. Claremont Live! - 2nd July - 13th August This summer we’re bringing a season of evening entertainment to Claremont Landscape Garden. There’s something for everyone, from theatre to opera, in our varied programme running every weekend from 2 July to 13 August. For our younger members, join us for Illyria’s hilarious production of Robin Hood or how about Slapstick Picnic’s version of Peter Pan. We’re also excited to bring three evenings of outdoor cinema to Claremont for the first time! Summer of play – 15 July – 3 Sept Throughout the Summer holidays, Claremont is a playground with lots of things to do. Each fortnight there will be different games to play. Challenge your friends to a game of badminton, croquet or skittles and hop, skip, and jump your way through the garden with our skipping roles. On selected days, you can also have a go at archery and join in with family yoga sessions. To complete your day, take to the lake with our row boats which are available to hire from Thursday to Sunday throughout the Summer holiday. UNDER 18 GO FREE MONDAY 28 AUGUST FAMILY FUN DAY Bank Holiday
21 Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go A local haven for all the family After over a century of farming, the Thompson family opened the farm to the public in 1981. Now, it is one of the biggest PYO farms in the UK. Garson Farm Pick Your Own consists of 155 acres of fields full of crops, trees and plants. The farm has a dedicated team of farmers who work hard every day of the year to ensure that there are plenty of delicious PYO fruit and vegetables and beautiful flowers, which are available for picking from June all the way through until October. The farm is home to many different wildlife and insect species, which are essential to help the farm grow. The farm is home to many different wildlife and insect species, which are essential to help the farm grow. We even have special bees to help pollinate the crops. Did you know the farm borders the River Mole, where the farm sustainably sources its water supply to make sure the crops and plants grow healthy and strong? An effective and environmentally friendly method of recycling water without reducing the local fresh-water supply. Throughout the season you may be able to pick from delicious fruits, including Garsons famous strawberries and apples, fresh vegetables such as courgettes and sweetcorn, or even bright sunflowers. Garsons PYO Farm is the perfect family outing where children can discover where and how food is grown, see nature at its best, and enjoy tasting delicious fresh fruit and vegetables, inspiring healthy eating while having fun in the great outdoors. Entrance is by pre-booked Farm Pass only, available from www.garsons.co.uk GARDEN CENTRE • FARM SHOP • BEVAN’S BUTCHERS • THE ORANGERY TEA HOUSE • PICK YOUR OWN www.garsons.co.uk Winterdown Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 8LS GARSON farm est. 1871 PICK YOUR OWN
22 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Focus on Godstone Farm That's precisely why the farm has invested millions in a new Play Barn, making it Surrey's largest soft play destination. The Play Barn at Godstone Farm isn't just physically vast; it's also determined to make play as thrilling as possible. In the post-pandemic era, we've all come to appreciate the fleeting nature of childhood, and parents strive to provide happy, playful, and fun environments for their children to explore and discover. As early as 2011, Chief Medical Officers emphasised that engaging in fun and stimulating activities is beneficial for children's physical health and mental wellbeing. Active children enhance their motor skills, develop coordination, balance, and body awareness. The results are evident: exercise leads to stronger muscles, improved bone density, and better control of breathing. Godstone Farm’s new Play Barn champions the joy of play! Nicola Henderson, CEO of Godstone Farm, states, "As a society, we often go to great lengths to protect our children from harm. We bubble wrap their lives, sanitize every surface, and constantly hover over them. But what if we're hindering their development? What if we're denying them the chance to become resilient, confident, and capable adults? This might sound ambitious for a soft play centre, but it's something we consider daily and feel deeply passionate about." Henderson continues, "Research indicates that engaging in risky play helps children acquire essential skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and risk assessment. By taking risks and experiencing the consequences, children learn to assess and make informed decisions. They also develop resilience by picking themselves up after falls and trying again. The new Play Barn at Godstone Farm features climbing walls, rope bridges, and tunnels - offering these opportunities for children in a controlled environment, ensuring they have fun rain or shine." By offering an environment that promotes this type of play, Godstone Farm intends to create lifelong memories and nurtures a spirit of adventure in its young visitors. This exciting new playbarn is open from late June onwards and to book tickets please go to www.godstonefarm.co.uk Godstone Farm's motto, "Discover, Explore, Play," embodies its deep-rooted dedication to the benefits of stimulating and exciting play for children. High-quality play encompasses an additional aspect - risky play. Thrilling and exciting activities that carry physical risks, like climbing trees, jumping off swings, and building forts, fall under this category. While some argue against risky play, deeming it dangerous, growing evidence suggests its positive impact on children's development.
Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go 23 odstonefarm.co.uk BOOK ONLINE It’s all about Country this summer! Activities includin shoot outs, line dancin , crafty cactuses, lasso lessons, horse shoe throwin , pony roomin plus all the usual farmyard fun! 22nd July - 3rd September HAY DOWN HOE DOWN GODSTONE FARM’S Find and compare local independent mechanics on Bicycle servicing made easy! Are you thinking of getting your bicycle serviced? www.bikebook.co.uk SHARE FOLLOW+ Communities around the globe are concerned about plastic ending up in landfill and polluting the oceans ... that’s why hundreds of millions of people worldwide are choosing to be part of Plastic Free July Will you join the challenge? 1. Visit our website plasticfreejuly.org 2. Choose what you will do Avoid single-use plastic packaging Target the takeaway items that could end up in the ocean Go completely plastic free 3. Choose the length 1 day 1 week 1 month Always Yes, I will join the challenge! AVOID WASTE, PROTECT THE OCEAN, SIGN UP AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION. PLASTICFREEJULY.ORG Please join our effort to help the environment. Choose to refuse single-use plastic during July.
25 Did you know that July 10th is National Don’t Step on a Bee Day? Be BEE Friendly Hopefully nobody would want to step on them on any day. As well as being cute, flying around on a summer’s day, they are essential to pretty much all the food we eat, so bees definitely deserve a lot of love. At Raring2go!, we thought we’d put together a bit of a Bee Appreciation feature so we can go further than just not stepping on them! Have a Bee Friendly Garden Nectar provides bees with the energy they need to fly so it’s a great support to them to find a garden filled with delicious flowers. Bee favourites in our garden include lavender, buddleia, sunflowers and catmint (catnip) but even dandelion flowers will help. Bee drinking station Honey bees need water just like other animals. Having a source of water in your garden is great but as they’re also prone to drowning it’s a good idea to place some pebbles or glass beads in water sources like bird baths. The Look Out Discovery Centre Nine Mile Ride, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 7QW Tel: 01344 354400 www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk/be The Look Out Discovery Centre R2GAUTUMN2023 Over 90 activities of hands-on science and discovery fun for children of all ages! BOOK ONLINE and enter RARING2023 at checkout for 10% off admission www.facebook.com/thelookoutdiscovery @thelookoutbracknell Raring2go! What to Do and Where to go Bee Hotels Why not make a Bee Hotel? It’s a great activity to keep the kids busy. The RSPB has some instructions on their website. Try to use natural materials that won’t rot, but avoid anything like paper or leaves that will quickly disintegrate. If you don’t feel creative, there are plenty of bee hotels to buy in local outlets such as garden centres, or online. Bee Hospital If you find a bee that’s run out of steam on the pavement or somewhere where they can’t get to a flower, the RSPB suggests offering sugar water. You need to mix 2 spoons of sugar plus 1 spoon of warm water (not boiling but warm enough to dissolve the sugar). You can even buy a Revive a Bee keyring which means you have a little vial of sugar syrup with you when you’re out and about for any bee emergencies.
27 Raring2go! Clubs/Classes & Holiday Camps MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN! DISCOVER RUGBYTOTS Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, just call or email: 0345 313 3248 jarad@rugbytots.co.uk The world’s favourite rugby play programme rugbytots.co.uk AS SEEN ON Rugbytots is the world's favourite rugby play programme! Our fun and energetic classes are a fast-paced introduction to Rugby where the child will learn about shapes, colours, numbers and counting. They will be encouraged to work independently as well as enjoying team games. Finding space, looking after the ball, scoring tries, running with the ball in two hands and general agility and balance are just some of the things the children will learn during their time with us. All the equipment used in these classes has been specifically designed and selected for young children. We use a range of balls so the children can catch, pass and kick their goals with confidence. It’s colourful, it's lively and it's guaranteed to brighten up anyone’s day. Our DBS approved, first aid qualified and fully trained coaches work hard to implement fun-filled games and programmes aimed at improving general ball skills, hand-to-eye coordination, balance, agility and social skills. Rugbytots is currently running in Hersham, Sunbury and Weybridge, so please check the website for full class times and locations.
28 raring2go.co.uk Raring2go! Clubs/Classes & Holiday Camps Camp Beaumont Adventure Day Camps Childcare from Just £44 a day At Camp Beaumont, we’re dedicated to delivering confidence-building adventures throughout the school holidays. We run award-winning day camps and offer over 50 activities including all things arts, crafts, exploration and sports across 50 locations in London and the surrounding areas. Available every school holiday - book our multi-activity programmes from as little as 1 day to multiple weeks and ensure your child learns new skills, makes new friends and enjoys their most exciting school holiday yet! With over 42 years' experience caring for children, why not let fully DBS-checked Group Leaders take safe, reliable childcare and turn it into long-lasting happy memories! • Open Every School Holiday • Award Winning Day Camps • Over 50 locations in London + South East • 43 Years of Childcare Experience • Get an extra £5 off per day when you book a whole week • Bring a friend for 10% off • Rated Excellent on TrustPilot USE CODE RARING2GO TO GET 10% OFF!
29 Raring2go! Clubs/Classes & Holiday Camps Swimming classes for bumps, babies and beyond in Surrey & Hampshire www.swimkidz.co.uk Find a class near you... Tamlyn Sutton E. DucklingDive@swimkidz.co.uk T. 07739 660356 Swimkidz Surrey & Hants Company registered in England & Wales OC417927 l 100s of ideas for family days out l Downloadable vouchers to save £££’s l Great competitions to enter l Monthly email newsletters with new offers and events l It’s FREE! Become a website member today: Join now Raring2go.co.uk/join Raring2go.co.uk/sign-up CONCERNED ABOUT THE COST OF ENERGY BILLS? COLD HOUSE IN WINTER? WORRIED ABOUT YOUR HOME’S ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT? Funding is available for low-income, hard-to-heat properties in Surrey to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Supported by: Energy Centre, 9 Poole Road, Woking, GU21 6DY www.actionsurrey.org 0800 783 2503 ČƥĿūŠ ¬ƭƑƑĚNj Ŀƙ î ¡îƑƥŠĚƑƙĺĿƎ ƙČĺĚŞĚ ŞîŠîijĚē ċNj ¹ĺîŞĚƙØĚNj ¬ƭƙƥîĿŠîċŕĚ ūŞŞƭŠĿƥĿĚƙ gƥē ȳî ČūŞƎîŠNj ūDžŠĚē ċNj ØūŒĿŠij ūƑūƭijĺ ūƭŠČĿŕȴȡ ¹ĺĚ ƑĚijĿƙƥĚƑĚē ūljǛČĚ ūlj ¹ĺîŞĚƙØĚNj Sustainable Communities Ltd is: The St Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7AR. Company No: 03835131. VAT No. 917 9263 93. Printed on FSC paper. Action Surrey is an impartial energy advice service working in partnership with local authorities and Surrey County Council.
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Raring2go! Feature - Picture Books People assume that picture books are for children. They’re not, they are for the relationship between adults and children. In fact, picture books are some of the only books that are read by adults and children at the same time; one of their purposes is precisely to allow adults and children to enjoy books and talk about them together. Whether you are a parent, teacher or babysitter, while you’re reading a book to a child, they are often looking closely at the pictures. When adults take time to look closely at the illustrations too, they will notice things hidden in there that add to the story, and are an essential part of the storytelling: emotions expressed, a sense of atmosphere, the reactions of other characters – things are that are not written into the words. The work of an illustrator is not just for the child, it is for you too, as an adult. So, next time you’re reading a book with a child, take extra time to really look at the work of the illustrator too – your time will be rewarded! What about illustrated books for older children? Who decided, and when, that pictures in books were only for very young children? Historically, many adult novels were illustrated. Not only can images really enrich an older child’s (or an adult’s!) enjoyment of a book, but illustration has always been a vital part of storytelling. Indeed, some of our earliest stories are told in image form and not in words at all; as far as we know human’s have been using visual forms of storytelling for 45,500 years. Visual literacy is a vital part of a child’s education too, so please do not feel that if your older child chooses graphic novels or illustrated chapter books, that those books are somehow ‘too young’ or beneath them. These are still ‘proper books’, in fact I would argue that they are bigger and broader in content than unillustrated books. We are in a great age of illustration – we have still got great illustrators from many of our own childhoods, such as Quentin Far more than a pretty picture! Making time for illustration as part of your child’s reading experience. Kenilworth Books, Talisman Square, Kenilworth CV8 1JB Blake and Helen Oxenbury, and we ALSO have brilliant illustrators of this age, like Jackie Morris, Chris Riddell and James Mayhew working at the top of their game – as well as an entire generation or two of new illustrators emerging into the book industry. If you don’t know it already, check out work by Melissa Castrillion, Lauren O’Hara and Chie Kutsuwada. Happily, we’re seeing more and more illustrated books for older children, and for adults, appearing in the market. So next time you are in a bookshop or a library, think about exploring the illustration as well as the words! By Tamsin Rosewell, Kenilworth Books Far More than a Pretty Picture! Making time for illustration as part of your child’s reading experience.
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