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Events bring summer break to a close

Published on Friday, August 18, 2023

3 minute read

Puppet Paradise at Newarke Houses Museum

THERE’S still time to have fun in Leicester’s parks, open spaces and museums before the summer break comes to an end.

Tomorrow (Saturday), keen archaeologists can take their finds to Newarke Houses Museum, where a local expert will be happy to have a look and provide more information about the discovered items.

Drop in any time between 10am and 3pm to chat with Victoria, Leicestershire & Rutland’s finds liaison officer, at the Archaeological Finds Day. Admission is free.

On Sunday (20 August), the museum at Abbey Pumping Station will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a Summer Family Fun Day. Admission is £4 (cash only please), with no charge for those aged under 16.

Abbey Pumping Station hosts its final Railway Day of the summer on Tuesday (22 August). The Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station runs from 11.30am-4pm, with a 50p charge for rides on the narrow gauge railway.

On Wednesday (23 August), children and young people should head for Victoria Park for the grand finale to the summer’s Get Up & Go programme.

The free Summer Extravaganza will take place at the pavilion end of Victoria Park, where youngsters will find lots of outdoor fun, including a climbing wall, a musical instrument workshop and a Youth Village. There will also be a play area for babies as well as stories from Leicester Libraries’ Book Bus.

The fun runs from 11am to 3pm and admission is free.

Also that day (23 August), young children can enjoy playing Superheroes v Pirates at Belgrave Hall. Admission is £3 (cash only please) and the drop-in session runs from 11am to 3pm.

There’ll also be Medieval Mayhem at the Guildhall on Thursday 24 August, with a £3 charge for activities. Drop in any time between 11am and 3pm.

And on Sunday 27 August, Newarke Houses Museum hosts a Puppet Paradise, with a family-friendly Punch & Judy show, complete with a naughty crocodile who can’t keep his paws off Mr Punch’s sausages. There’ll be four performances of the show, but advance booking is essential. Tickets are £3 per child and can be booked online at leicestermuseums.org

There will also be puppet-themed craft activities between 12 noon and 3pm. A £3 charge for activities applies.

While at Newarke Houses, families can also visit the Play Time exhibition, which continues until 17 September. Admission to the exhibition, which features toys, dolls and teddies from the museum’s extensive collection, is free of charge.

More ideas for free or low-cost family activities in Leicester this summer are set out below: 

Sat 19 Aug     

Sun 20 Aug    

Mon 21 Aug  

  • Parents Create at Belgrave Hall & Gardens. 10am-2pm. £5 charge.
  • Get Up & Go at St Matthews, Thurnby Lodge and Woodbridge children’s centres

Tues 22 Aug    

  • Railway Day at Abbey Pumping Station, 11.30am-4pm. 50p for train rides
  • Get Up & Go at Bewcastle and Saffron children’s centres

Weds 23 Aug 

Thurs 24 Aug

  • Medieval Mayhem at the Guildhall. 11am-3pm. £3 charge for activities.
  • Get Up & Go at Netherhall, New Parks, Belgrave & Highfields children’s centres

Fri 25 Aug     

  • Get Up & Go at The Grove and at Eyres Monsell children’s centre

Sat 26 Aug    

Sun 27 Aug    

 

 

 

Picture caption: Puppet Paradise at Newarke Houses Museum on Sunday 27 August

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