Summer Holiday Fun For Harpenden Families

Parents, are you bracing yourself for the summer holidays? I know I am. Whilst the holidays are a welcome break from making packed lunches, helping with homework and hunting school uniform down, the challenge of keeping your children amused and your sanity maintained for six weeks is a challenging prospect. So this week, let’s take a look at some of the events and activities going on in and around Harpenden that might help to keep our families happy and entertained.

Let’s start with a highlight on Harpenden’s social calendar; Classics on The Common. As many of you Harpendenites will already know, this is a great event for all the family to enjoy and it’s completely free of charge. Hundreds of classic cars make their way to Harpenden Common for an early evening gathering on Wednesday 28 July. Take a picnic tea, or do as we do and grab Fish and Chips from Station Road to eat on the Common, whilst you admire the wheels amidst the petrol-heads.

Any day of the week, you can take advantage of a local gem; Stockwood Discovery Centre, just a short drive away up the A6. There is a full programme of events throughout the holidays, from puppet shows to soap sculptures. Visiting the centre is free but there is a charge for some of the events. Check out their website for full details: www.stockwooddiscoverycentre.co.uk

Flamstead Scarecrow Festival is a truly eccentric event, now in it’s 9th year, and is a unique opportunity for fun with all the family. Walk around the nearby village of Flamstead and judge the scarecrows for yourself. Many of the residents participate so you will find them in gardens, on roofs and hanging out of windows – they’re everywhere! The village’s pubs provide bbqs and you can sustain yourself further with tea and cake at the Church Hall. The festival starts at 12 noon on Friday 20 August and finishes at 5pm on Sunday August.

If you like the idea of outdoor theatre, there are a few events happening fairly close to home in the holidays: Firstly, Knebworth House is going to provide the beautiful backdrop to a production of Roald Dahl’s classic story, James and The Giant Peach, at 7pm on Thursday 19 August. See www.knebworthhouse.com for more details. And within the setting of another grand abode, Hatfield House, you can take your pick from Children’s Outdoor Theatre performances of Robin Hood or The Secret Garden, which will take place in the afternoons of 1 August and 29 August respectively. See website for all the details: www.hatfield-house.co.uk

Next up, we’ll be taking a look at some of the organised activities going on in Harpenden to help you and your children make the best out of the summer break. Meanwhile, please share your ideas for summer fun in Harpenden below. And if you’re hosting an event or activity, please post it on our events calendar, here on harpendenpeople.