Literature classics inspire a summer of outdoor family fun at Waddesdon Manor
This summer, Waddesdon Manor are putting on a programme that is sure to be entertaining families all season-long.
The 19th century chateau will host outdoor theatre performances and a pop-up library, alongside a huge range of fun and FREE activities, to be keep children (and their parents) busy throughout the summer.
Taking advantage of the warm early evenings, four special theatre performances will be showcased in the grounds of the manor (free for under 5’s), all adapted from beloved British stories.
The critically acclaimed Pantaloons company will bring their unique sense of anarchy to a toe-tapping musical version of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Thurs 3 Aug), where young audience members can interact with a cast of colourful characters, from the tea-guzzling Mad Hatter to the worrying White Rabbit.
Next up is the Quantum Theatre, who after decades of entertaining will showcase a brand-new retelling of The Wind in the Willows (Thurs 10 Aug). Take a break in an idyllic picnic setting while the children are transported into an Edwardian England like no other, with Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad taking on the wretched weasels in a countryside classic.
The experienced theatre company will also be back the next week when parents and children will be cheering on Peter and Benjamin Rabbit as they evade Mr McGregor’s pitchfork in The Tales of Peter Rabbit (Thurs 17 Aug).
Prepare for exhilarating swashbuckling at the end of the month, with everyone’s favourite rogue Robin Hood (Thurs 31 Aug), as the Illyria company transforms medieval ballads into this family-friendly version. Robin will need everyone’s help to save Maid Marion from the clutches of the evil King John with an archery competition involving the entire audience, and if your family want to get in some practice beforehand, an archery range will come to Waddesdon the weekend before (Fri 25 – Mon 28 Aug).
Exciting adventures and tales found in the world of books will be keeping children entertained with Shed of Stories (Fri 18 – Sat 19 Aug). The pop-up library will host hourly tales read from both classic and modern books, so you can read along to your current page-turners, as well as watch a new generation discover favourite tales from the past.
For those who want to brush up on their Shakespeare, Unbound Theatre are performing the comedy Much Ado About Nothing (Sun 23 July) as the free picnic offering at 2pm. With their less traditional take, its perfect for teenagers who have kindled an interest in the bard. Unbound Theatre will also return for a celebration of two intriguing real-life women in Gertrude & Dorothy (Sun 20 Aug), a crime caper throwing together the noted horticulturalist and garden designer Gertrude Jekyll, and Britain’s first racing driver Dorothy Levitt. The trio of performances throughout the day are completely free.
During the long summer days there are also plenty of outdoor activities that are guaranteed to keep children busy during a visit at Waddesdon. Free garden games are available throughout the six weeks holiday, with the choice of tennis, rounders, hurdles, cricket and many more. Every Friday, there will be a special station for face-painting, and we’re expecting to see a lot more rabbits, rats, and Robins given our theatre offer.
Throughout the year the Manor is home to an aviary that gives visitors the ability to see rare and exotic birds, and at the end of the July there will be a chance to get up close with a range of feathered friends when Berkshire Birds of Prey (Thu 27 – Sat 29 Jul) comes to visit. With the help of the experienced team, a trip to the gardens this weekend could involve handling a hawk, feeding a falcon, or hanging out with a head-bobbing owl. What better way to learn about their, habitats, and history and what we can all do to help them in the wild? And if you think your family can handle it, they’ll be snakes, frogs and reptiles to hold with Zoolab Animal encounters (Sun 30 July) the next day.
If your family likes daring activities, then the circus workshops on the first weekend of August (Fri 4 – Sun 6) will certainly provide this. Lessons in the ancient art of walking the tightrope, as well how to juggle with beanbags, balls, rings and clubs will be running all weekend. Or if music is your family’s motto, then the following weekend’s Junkyard Orchestra Soundgarden (Fri 11 - Sun 13 Aug) will give you a supersonic collection of instruments, all made from recycled materials.
Of course, there is still all the usual free fun that the grounds offer. There’s no shortage of ideas of how best to enjoy nature this summer with bug-hunting, tree-climbing, den-building and snail races. The playground makes the most of the natural environment, with soft bark, seesaws, swings, a roundabout and much more, including a brand-new zip wire. Early in summer there’ll be plenty of opportunities to make daisy chains, and later in the season the area near Power House becomes a treasure-trove for a childhood-favourite game of conkers. If the wind picks up on some days (it’s a British summer after all) the grounds because a perfect spot to fly a kite. And of course, you can never beat the thrill and fun of climbing up and rolling down our hill near Frog Fountain steps.
As well as the beautiful gardens, relaxing walks and incredible art that Waddesdon offers all year round, this summer guarantees fun for all the family.
For full details about all events and activities please check the summer holidays webpage.