What's On
listings for all the family Compiled by Anna Blackshaw
To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing. Email Listings@FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk. Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.
www.Familiesonline.co.uk for all our local weekly regular events. Many activities and events require advance booking. Please check the website in the listing to confirm terms and conditions for attending before heading out.
MAY Until Sun 2 Jun Bing’s Nature Explorers (SW13) Learn all about wetland nature and wildlife with a little help from Bing and his friends at WWT London. Join Bing and Flop to become a Nature Explorer with activity trails, storytelling, character appearances and much more. www.wwt.org.uk/wetlandcentres/london/whats-on/bingsnature-explorers-4 Sat 4 May Cranford Green Man (TW5) As Spring turns to Summer, the Green Man has returned. All are welcome in Cranford Park to listen to tales of ancient folk lore and make their own contribution to our mighty Green Man. Art and Storytelling recommended for ages 3+. 12pm to 4pm at Cranford Park. www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/cranford-green-man Sat 4–Mon 6 May Steam Gala (HA4) A chance to see behind the scenes in the railway workshops at Ruislip Lido Railway, with displays on the history and operation of the line along with information on volunteering. There will also be a rare chance to take control of two powerful diesel locomotives, in ‘Driver for a fiver’. Steam locomotive ‘Sherpa’ will visit from the Fairbourne Railway in Wales for an added attraction. www.hillingdontheatres.uk/index. php/events/steam-gala Sat 4–Mon 6 May Hertfordshire Garden Show (SG1) Whilst enjoying a visit to Knebworth House, Gardens and Park from 4 to 6 May you can attend the Hertfordshire Garden Show at no additional charge. There will be plenty of inspiration for the Spring and Summer months ahead supplied by the exhibitors attending the show with a wide variety of goods on display and for sale including garden furniture, water features, hot tubs, tools, sculptures and more. www.knebworthhouse.com Sun 5 May Butterflies of Spring and Bluebell Walk (WD18) A FREE led walk by Butterfly Conservation Herts & Middx Branch. A spring walk into Whippendell Woods to explore butterflies and the woodland environment. Meet at the Langley Way entrance to the park at 2pm. www.watfordevents.com 10 Families North West London
Sun 5–Mon 6 May Planetarium Celebration Shows (SE10) On May 7 1925, the world’s first projection planetarium opened to the public at the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany. Now, nearly 100 years later, there are thousands of planetaria all around the globe, and May 7 has been selected to be the new International Day of Planetariums. To join in with this celebration, the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s planetarium will be hosting two full days of one-off special shows. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ royal-observatory/planetariumcelebration-shows Sun 5–Mon 6 May Elizabethan May Day Event (HP8) Experience Elizabethan May Day merriment with dancing, swordplay, gunpowder and more at Chiltern Open Air Museum! At this special event, the Suffolk Free Company and Myal Pyper will transport us back in time to the Elizabethan era, giving us a unique insight into the lives and festivities of that period. In between, you can wander amongst the encampment and see what is being eaten, drunk, made and mended. www.coam.org.uk/events/mayday-bank-holiday-event Mon 6 May May Day at the Manor (HA5) Head along to Headstone Manor & Museum for a delightful day of family fun at the highly anticipated return of the annual May Day Festival! Experience a whole heap of engaging activities for both children and adults, from live performances to fairground rides and arts and crafts activities. In between the excitement, indulge in a delicious selection of food and drink or explore the artisan handmade crafts and gifts at Duckpond Market’s stalls. 12pm5pm. www.headstonemanor.org/ events/may-day-at-the-manor Sat 11 May South West Herts 42nd Annual Model Railway Exhibition (WD23) The South-West Herts Model Railway Society is pleased to announce their 42nd Annual Model Railway exhibition taking place at Queens School in Bushey from 10am-4.30pm. Over 20 quality layouts have been invited from across the country covering a range of timescales from the early 20th century to the present day. There will be something for the whole family including a Quiz sheet +the opportunity to drive model trains and to purchase those essential
Green Festival at Chiltern Open Air Museum
items for your own collection. www.southwesthertsmrs.org.uk Sat 11 May Dovecote Opening (HA5) Head along to Eastcote House Garden for the dovecote opening. There will also be a market. 10am1pm. No need to book, just turn up on the day. www.discover.hillingdon.gov.uk Sat 11 May Radlett Festival Of Music (WD7) The Radlett Festival of Music is proud to present: Thank You For The Songs I’m Singing. Go and hear songs from shows such as Annie, Les Misérables and Mary Poppins, along with music celebrating Eurovision and Abba. Featuring local schools, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor and the Orchard Singers. www.radlettcentre.co.uk/What-sOn/Theatre/Radlett-Festival-ofMusic Sun 12 May Stirling Engines at the Museum (TW8) Did you know the original Stirling engine was invented by Robert Stirling in 1816 and used in the late 1800’s to pump water? The Stirling Engine Society are at the London Museum of Water & Steam on Sun 12 May! Go marvel at a toy fairground driven by a modern Stirling Engine, toy Stirling Engines invented in the 1860s, and be amazed at more modern engines with modern improvements! www.waterandsteam.org.uk/ event/stirling-engines-at-themuseum Wed 15–Mon 20 May Zippo’s Circus (HA8) The all-new 2024 production ‘Magnificent!’ sees brand new routines from firm favourites within the Zippo core company, whilst introducing new guest stars in a magnificent show that will delight
and thrill family audiences. At Montrose Playing Fields, HA8 0DT. www.zippos.co.uk/locations/ colindale Thu 16 May Ghost Tour & Bat Walk (SG1) A unique opportunity to tour Knebworth House at night, hear the tales of incidents that cannot be explained and visit areas where resident presences have been detected. Gates open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start. Pre-booking is essential. www.knebworthhouse.com Sat 18 May Caribbean Takeover (SE10) The Caribbean Social Forum will be back for another year at the National Maritime Museum, creating a family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture. This unique event celebrates the fusion of cultures from Africa, the Caribbean and Britain. From free workshops to fabulous performances, 18 May is dedicated to celebrating Black history and culture in Britain. www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/ national-maritime-museum/ caribbean-takeover Sat 25 May SEN Pottery Workshop (HA5) Head to Harrow Arts Centre for an engaging sensory pottery workshop and tile-making experience inspired by the rich tradition of decorative tiles found around Harrow. 9:30am 12:30pm. For families with children aged 6+ with SEND. www.harrowarts.com/whats-on/ event/learn-harrow-sen-potteryworkshop Sat 25–Sun 26 May & Sat 22–Sun 23 Jun May Steam Up (TW8) This year at the London Museum of Water & Steam, they are bringing their engines back to life! Discover Familiesonline.co.uk