Libraries
Worksop Library, Memorial Avenue S80 2BP
Carlton in Lindrick Library, Long Lane, Carlton in Lindrick S81 9AR
Langold Library, Doncaster Road, Langold S81 9AL
Retford Library, Churchgate, Retford DN22 6PE
Edwinstowe Library, High Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9QS
Ollerton Library, Forest Road, New Ollerton NG22 9PL
www.inspireculture.co.uk
Wickersley Library, 286 Bawtry Road, Wickersley, S66 1JJ, 01709 544134
Maltby Library and Neighbourhood Hub, Braithwell Road, Maltby, Rotherham S66 8JE
Summer Reading Challenge 2024: Marvellous Makers
Saturday 6th July to Sunday 1st September, library opening hours
Developed in collaboration with Create, a leading arts charity, the 2024 Summer Reading Challenge will celebrate creativity, imagination and the power of reading. The challenge, aimed at children aged four to 11 years, is to read six or more library books over the summer. For every book read, children will pick up rewards and every child who completes the challenge receives a medal and certificate.
Free
Edwinstowe Library
High Street, Edwinstowe NG21 9QS
www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/find-a-library/edwinstowe-library
- Tuesday 6th August, 2.00pm to 4.30pm: Easy Origami
- Tuesday 13th August, 2.00pm to 4.30pm: Beautiful Bead Bugs
- Tuesday 20th August, 2.00pm to 4.30pm: Merry Making Workshop
All the activities are free and there is no need to book – just drop in. Suitable for five to 11 year olds with adult supervision required.
Ollerton Library
Forest Road, New Ollerton NG22 9PL
www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/find-a-library/ollerton-library
- 29th July to 3rd August: Pointillism Week – Make a Dotty Picture
- 5th to 10th August: Arcimboldo Week – Fruity Faces
- 12th to 17th August: Rock Graffiti – Bring in a rock to decorate and hide
- Tuesday 13th August, 10.00am to 1.00pm: Olympic crafts
- 19th to 24th August: Surrealism Week – Mixed up monsters
- 26th to 31st August: Cubism Week – Stained glass
Worksop Library
Memorial Avenue S80 2BP
worksop.library@inspireculture.org.uk or 01623 677200
www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/find-a-library/worksop-library
Family Theatre – The Greatest Robot Ever presented by Knottedhawk Productions
Thursday 22nd August, 2.30pm
Glitch the little robot doesn’t feel special like all the other amazing robots living in the Junk Yard. With the help of their best friend, Shift, they go on a quest to find the pieces to make them stand out! Full of fun, adventure and self discovery; Will Glitch find what they were searching for all along? This interactive dance theatre show is perfect for children 3-8 years and their grownups.
Library members £4.00, non-library members £7.00. Pre-booking highly advised
Expressions – Family Workshop
Thursday 29th August, 2.00pm to 4.00pm
Artist in Residence Amanda Rigby will help you to draw your own emotional monster, expressing your feelings through mark-making and colour. Author in Residence poet Mark Grist will be sharing his captivating picture books, Rhinos Don’t Cry and his brand-new release, Bears Don’t Get Scared. Families can play rhyming games and Mark will help young writers contribute to group poems that focus on what makes us feel brave and uplifted. No booking needed.
Free
Retford Library
Churchgate, Retford DN22 6PE
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk or 01777 710020
www.inspireculture.org.uk/reading-information/find-a-library/retford-library
Family Theatre – The Greatest Robot Ever presented by Knottedhawk Productions
Thursday 22nd August, 10.30am
Glitch the little robot doesn’t feel special like all the other amazing robots living in the Junk Yard. With the help of their best friend, Shift, they go on a quest to find the pieces to make them stand out! Full of fun, adventure and self discovery; Will Glitch find what they were searching for all along? This interactive dance theatre show is perfect for children 3-8 years and their grownups.
Library members £4.00, non-library members £7.00. Pre-booking highly advised
Expressions – Family Workshop
Thursday 29th August, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Artist in Residence Amanda Rigby will help you to draw your own emotional monster, expressing your feelings through mark-making and colour. Author in Residence poet Mark Grist will be sharing his captivating picture books, Rhinos Don’t Cry and his brand-new release, Bears Don’t Get Scared. Families can play rhyming games and Mark will help young writers contribute to group poems that focus on what makes us feel brave and uplifted. No booking needed.
Free
Clumber Park
Worksop S80 3AZ
01909 511070
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/nottinghamshire-lincolnshire/clumber-park/events
Summer of Play
Monday 22nd July to Thursday 5th September, 10.00am to 5.00pm
This year Clumber Park invites you to re-charge, unwind and make treasured memories at Clumber’s Summer of Play. The Front Field will be the centre for family fun, with plenty of opportunities to challenge one another with creative play, loose parts play, active play from football and badminton to rounders, nature play and performance play. There’s an area for youngsters to get creative with art and dance or get hands-on in the nature zone, where they can explore dig beds and have fun in the sand pit. There’s even a Toddler Zone. Just a short distance from the busy field is a quieter area with a marquee for toddler-centred play. A whole host of additional drop-in events will also be on offer across the summer school holidays including storytelling, facepainting, and sports coaching.
Free, usual park admission charges apply.
Outdoor theatre: Peter Pan (presented by Immersion Theatre)
Friday 2nd August, 3.00pm
Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland as they proudly bring their trademark energy to their most magical musical to date, Peter Pan! Suitable for ages four plus.
Tickets £16.00 adults, £12.00 children and concessions and from £52.00 family ticket. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Outdoor theatre: Alice in Wonderland (presented by Talegate Theatre)
Thursday 15th August, 3.00pm
Join Alice on a magical wander through Wonderland as she meets a whole host of crazy characters straight out of the classic book by Lewis Carroll.
Tickets £10.00 per person. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Outdoor theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (presented by Immersion Theatre)
Friday 16th August, 3.00pm
Immersion Theatre are thrilled to be reviving their acclaimed production of Shakespeare’s funniest, most magical comedy of all. Suitable for ages eight plus.
Tickets £16.00 adults, £12.00 children and concessions and from £52.00 family ticket. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Outdoor theatre: Pinocchio (presented by Talegate Theatre)
Friday 23rd August, 3.00pm
Wish upon a star in this magical family pantomime and follow our young hero, Pinocchio, on an adventure of a lifetime as he learns how to become a real boy.
Tickets £10.00 per person. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Outdoor theatre: Jemima Puddleduck (presented by Quantum Theatre)
Saturday 24th August, 3.00pm
New for 2024, Quantum presents a delightful new adaptation of Beatrix Potter’s much-loved tale.
Tickets £16.00 adults, £11.00 children and £46.00 family ticket. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Outdoor theatre: The Little Mermaid (presented by Talegate Theatre)
Friday 30th August, 3.00pm
Follow Lenor, our mermaid princess, as she finds her sea legs in search of her happily ever after under the sea in this bubbly family pantomime.
Tickets £10.00 per person. Book via www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark
Sherwood Forest Country Park
Edwinstowe NG21 9HN
01623 823202
www.visitsherwood.co.uk
Robin Hood Festival
Weekends in August
The 38th Robin Hood Festival gets underway on Saturday 3rd August with the Knights of Nottingham Medieval Jousting Display Team headlining the show in the festival arena. The festival continues across each weekend in August with Fantasy in the Greenwood, complete with orcs and walking trees, on 10th and 11th August. There’s a weekend devoted to wildlife awareness and activities on 17th and 18th August. Then, on the August Bank Holiday Weekend (24th to 26th August), The Sherwood Outlaws deliver their fabulous arena show and the weekend also includes the Nottinghamshire Day Festival, celebrating much of what makes the county great.
Across the Festival weekends will be a host of other brilliant performers including perennial favourites The Medieval Maniax, storytellers Past Imagined, entertainers Bill Brookman and Nathaniel Bagshot and Tudor history re-enactment troupe The College of Chivalry.There will also be traders and craftspeople, offering the chance to pick up a unique or unusual gift from a day the at Festival.
Admission to the reserve and the performances is free, although parking charges apply. There will be a small charge for some activities, including archery.
The Canch, Worksop
Memorial Avenue S80 2BP
www.bassetlaw.gov.uk
Dance Aerobics
Tuesday 6th and Thursday 29th August
Free
Family Friendly Dance
Tuesday 13th August, 10.00am to 10.45am
Free
Western Drumming and Belly dancing Workshop
Wednesday 21st August, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Free
St Paul’s Church
Pelham Street, Worksop S80 2TS
07732 07854
www.fthc.org.uk
Summer Fun
Every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 29th July to 21st August, 10.00am to 1.00pm
Sessions run by From The Heart Charity including themed activities, bug hunt and a free packed lunch to take home.
Free
Creswell Crags
Welbeck S80 3LH
01909 720378
www.creswell-crags.org.uk/events-listings/
Outdoor Theatre – Angelica Sprocket
Tuesday 13th August, 5.00pm
Prepare to be surprised, thrilled, and tickled pink by Angelica Sprocket’s never-ending pockets, and the marvellous things she keeps in them. Filled with Folksy’s touch of live music, puppetry, audience interaction and madness! This fun-filled show is the perfect treat for the whole family!
Adults £14.00, children £12.00 per child, booking required
Bassetlaw Museum
Amcott House, 40 Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Summer Holiday Activities at the Museum
Craft activities run from 10.00am-12.00pm then 1.00pm-3.00pm and days from 10.00am to 3.00pm unless otherwise stated.
No booking required but please be aware they may be a wait for some activities if it is busy. Open to all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult and remain under their supervision. Activities are free but donations are always welcome!
- Tuesday 30th July: The Roaring 20s! A fabulous extravaganza of fashion, music and dance from the 1920s.
- Wednesday 31st July: Playmobil Day
- Thursday 1st August: Plaster cast crafts (Lynx Black Belt Academy demo 1.00pm to 2.00pm)
- Friday 2nd August: Lego Day
- Monday 5th August: Clay crafts
- Tuesday 6th August: UKAEA science activities
- Wednesday 7th August: Printing crafts
- Thursday 8th August: CHAOS science roadshow
- Friday 9th August: Lego Day
- Monday 12th August: Wool crafts
- Tuesday 13th August: Collage crafts
- Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th August, 10.00am to 1.30pm: Alice but Wilder! Notts Wildlife Trust activities
- Monday 19th August: Decorate a bag craft
- Tuesday 20th August: Pinocchio noses craft
- Wednesday 21st August: Garden Party with performances from a Time Travelling Baron and music with Tom
- Thursday 22nd August: Jewellery making craft
- Friday 23rd August: Lego Day
- Tuesday 27th August: Make a badge / magnet craft
- Wednesday 28th August: Mermaid activities with The Family Hub
- Thursday 29th August: Playmobil Day (Lynx Black Belt Academy demo 1.00pm to 2.00pm)
- Friday 30th August: Lego Day
The Harley Foundation
Welbeck S80 3LW
01909 501700
www.harleyfoundation.org.uk/whats-on
Family Clay: Create a Creature
Thursday 8th August, 10.30am to 12.00pm
In this one off session you will be shown how to form and join clay, before having a go at creating your own clay creature. You might choose to make a real animal, or an imaginary one!
£12.00 per child. Parents go free, or can make their own creature for £10.00
Family Workshop: Cyanotype Prints
Thursday 15th August, 10.30am to 12.00pm
In this session, children will create their own Cyanotype photographic prints and greetings cards. First, they will forage for materials during a short nature walk, before arranging their plants and flowers in unique compositions on light-sensitive paper. Children will watch the magic as their print turns bright blue in the sunlight, capturing their design permanently.
£8.00 per child. Parents go free, or can make their own prints for £6.00
Family Clay: Sculpt a Seascape
Friday 16th August, 10.30am to 12.00pm
In this one-off session you will be shown how to form, join and add texture to clay, before having a go at creating your own seaside-inspired creations; from shells to seaweed, fish to flip-flops. The tutor will advise you how to decorate and string together your creations at home to create a finished seascape wall hanging.
£12.00 per child. Parents go free, or can make their own creation for £10.00
Kings Park, Retford
Panto in the Park
Performed by the fantastic Talegate Theatre.
- Wednesday 14th August, 2.00pm: Alice in Wonderland
- Tuesday 20th August, 2.00pm: Pinocchio
- Wednesday 28th August, 2.00pm: The Little Mermaid
Free and no tickets needed
Dance Aerobics
Thursday 8th August, 11.00am to 11.45am, and Tuesday 27th August, 2.00pm to 2.45pm
Free
Family Friendly Dance
Thursday 15th August, 2.00pm to 2.45pm
Free
Western Drumming and Belly dancing Workshop
Thursday 22nd August, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Free
Retford Arts Hub
Churchgate, Retford DN22 6PA
info@retfordartshub.com
01777 860414
Creative Workshops
These workshops for children aged seven to 15 years run from 1.30pm to 3.30pm and booking is essential.
- Monday 5th August: Air Dried Clay Bunting with Angela
- Thursday 8th August: Make a Mobile with Chris
- Thursday 15th August: Creative Sewing with Sue
- Wednesday 21st August: Abstract Acrylic Painting with Karen
- Thursday 29th August: Printing Leaves and Trees from Kings Park, Retford with Jo
Free
Sherwood Forest Country Park
Edwinstowe NG21 9HN
01623 823202
www.visitsherwood.co.uk
Robin Hood Festival
Weekends in August
The 38th Robin Hood Festival gets underway on Saturday 3rd August with the Knights of Nottingham Medieval Jousting Display Team headlining the show in the festival arena. The festival continues across each weekend in August with Fantasy in the Greenwood, complete with orcs and walking trees, on 10th and 11th August. There’s a weekend devoted to wildlife awareness and activities on 17th and 18th August. Then, on the August Bank Holiday Weekend (24th to 26th August), The Sherwood Outlaws deliver their fabulous arena show and the weekend also includes the Nottinghamshire Day Festival, celebrating much of what makes the county great.
Across the Festival weekends will be a host of other brilliant performers including perennial favourites The Medieval Maniax, storytellers Past Imagined, entertainers Bill Brookman and Nathaniel Bagshot and Tudor history re-enactment troupe The College of Chivalry.There will also be traders and craftspeople, offering the chance to pick up a unique or unusual gift from a day the at Festival.
Admission to the reserve and the performances is free, although parking charges apply. There will be a small charge for some activities, including archery.
Rufford Abbey Country Park
Ollerton NG22 9DF
01623 821338
www.ruffordabbey.co.uk
Summer Superpower Trail
Saturday 13th July to Tuesday 3rd September, 10.00am to 3.30pm
Embark on a thrilling journey through this woodland trail and uncover an amazing superpower at each stop. Do you dream of possessing super strength or the speed of the wind? Maybe you wish you could fly? Discover your favourite superpower as you explore the trail!
£2.50 per trail
Professor Temple’s Punch and Judy Show
Tuesdays 30th July, 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th August
Professor Paul Temple returns to Rufford this summer with his delightful Punch and Judy show! Showtimes are at 12.00pm 1.30pn and 3.00pm.
Free
Gainsborough Library
Cobden Street, Gainsborough DN21 2NG
www.discovergainsborough.com/wordfest
Children’s Workshop – Story Emporium
Friday 9th August, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Join the launch of WordFest and enjoy some summer-time magic and fairies with the The Story Emporium. Go along and make tiny people with tiny clothes and books, build a house for them to enjoy during long summer days. This activity is aimed at children aged six to 10 years old. There’s no need to book. WordFest is coming to Gainsborough this September and is all about Gainsborough finding its voice.
Free
Gainsborough Model Railway
Florence Terrace, DN21 1BE
Open Day
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th August 1.30pm to 5.30pm
See one of the largest model railways in ‘O’ gauge, depicting The East Coast Main Line from Kings Cross to Leeds Central. The building of the present railway commenced in 1953 and covers 2500 square feet, has over 1200 feet of main line track and needs ten operators.
Adults £5.00, children £4.00, family ticket £15.00
Bransby Horses
Cowdale Lane, Bransby, Lincoln LN1 2PH
www.bransbyhorses.co.uk
Devilish Dragons Trail
Saturday 20th July to Sunday 1st September, 10.00am to 4.00pm
The mischievous Devilish Dragons have kidnapped the unicorns and locked them away in a mysterious castle. It’s up to the brave adventurers to defeat the dragons, find the unicorns, and save the day! Embark on a quest through the picturesque grounds of Bransby Horses, following clues and solving puzzles to outsmart the dragons. Each step of the trail brings you closer to the castle where the unicorns are being held. There is no need to book – simply ask in the Gift Shop – and claim your prize for completing the trail.
£3.50 per person
The Venue
Roses Sports Ground, North Warren Road, Gainsborough DN21 2TU
www.gainsboroughtrinityfoundation.com
enquiries@gainsboroughtrinityfoundation.com
Gainsborough Trinity Football Holiday Clubs
Monday to Friday, 22nd July to 23rd August, 10.00am to 3.00pm (early drop off available from 8.30am)
Gainsborough Trinity Holiday Clubs are aimed at children of all abilities, aged between five and 12. There will be a variety of activities including competitions and themed days.
£40.00 for full week or £10.00 per day
Lincoln Castle
Castle Square, Lincoln LN1 3AA
www.lincolncastle.com
Medieval Joust
Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th August, 10.00am to 5.00pm
Feel the thunder of hooves and hear the clash of lance on steel armour as our brave Knights take part in the Sport of Kings. Meet the knights and choose your champion and cheer them on! With a supporting programme of medieval activity throughout the Castle and knights hoping to win your favour, this competition brings together some of the best international jousters.
Usual admission fees apply
Outdoor theatre – Peter Pan
Wednesday 14th August, 6.30pm
Multi-award nominated Immersion Theatre invite you to soar away to Neverland. Get ready to think happy thoughts and fly high as the mischievous Peter embarks on an awfully big adventure, introducing Wendy Darling to the lost boys, the cheeky Tinkerbell, the hilarious Smee, and a host of other exciting characters before facing the most feared villain of them all, the infamous Captain Hook! Filled with catchy music, heaps of audience interaction, and a laugh-a-minute script. Suitable for ages 4+.
Adults £17.00, Concessions £16.00, Children £9.00, Under 3s go free
Messingham Sand Quarry
East of the B1400 opposite Scallow Grove Farm, Messingham, Scunthorpe DN17 3RD
www.lincstrust.org.uk/nature-reserves/messingham-sand-quarry
Children’s Fun Day
Sunday 18th August, 10.00am to 4.00pm
Discover the flora and fauna of this wonderful wetland reserve. Weather permitting, they hope to have pond dipping, bug hunting and a light hearted quiz to keep you on your toes.
Free
Maltby Stepping Stones Family and Children’s Centre
Maltby, S66 7NQ
Maltby By The Sea Fun Day
Tuesday 30th July, 11.00am to 2.00pm
Organised by Rotherham Early Help South, suitable for all ages and no booking required.
Free
Clifton Park Museum
Clifton Lane, Rotherham S65 2AA
01709 336633
www.rotherham.gov.uk/events
Our Habitats, Our Home – Storytelling with Tell Tale Hearts
Wednesday 31st July and Wednesday 21st August, various times
Join the story seeker to uncover the mysterious myths and tales from Marco the Bear whose ancestors lived in the Age of the Bear. These free storytelling sessions, inspired by the museum’s new exhibition ‘Our Habitats, Our Home’. The session times on the 31st July are 10.30am – 11.15am and 12.00pm – 12.45pm. The session times for the 21st August are 10.30am – 11.15am, 12.00pm – 12.45pm, 1.30pm – 2.15pm and 3.00pm – 3.45pm.
Free
Move with Marco in Our Habitats and Our Home
Tuesday 13th August, 11.00am to 12.00pm and 1.00pm to 2.00pm
Movement and dance artist Nishal Lall will present two special family workshops around the themes from the exhibition ‘Our Habitats, Our Home’. Use movement and dance to explore the themes. All materials will be supplied. No booking is required but there is limited space so please arrive promptly.
Free
Wentworth Woodhouse
Wentworth, S62 7TQ
www.wentworthwoodhouse.org.uk
Down the Pit Family Activities
Tuesday 30th July, 11.00am-12.30pm
Discover what life was like underground for coal miners who worked in the mines owned by the Fitzwilliam family by meeting a former collier. Have a go at charcoal drawings inspired by mining stories, make a ‘miner’s snap’ for lunch and find out about the courageous pit ponies. Advance booking required.
£12.50 per child and General Admission for adults
Fabulous Flowers and Busy Bees
Tuesday 6th August, 10.00am to 12.00pm
Join the Horticultural Education Team for a bee and bug hunt in the Gardens and make your own biodegradable wildflower plant pot to take home and encourage bees and bugs to thrive in your own garden. Advance booking required.
£7.50 per child and General Admission for adults
WE Wonder and Basant Kite Festival
Saturday 24th August, 10.00am to 5.00pm
WE Wonder returns this August with another fun-filled celebration of arts and culture in the West Front Gardens. Enjoy live music and dance, interactive performances, South Asian food stalls and family workshops as we celebrate our vibrant community! This year, WE Wonder will also feature a Basant Festival Zone, co-curated by the Rotherham Basant Festival Community panel, and will include kite performances and demonstrations, give it a go kiting and kite-making workshops.
Free with General Admission
Beautiful Butterflies Live Garden Trail
Tuesday 27th August, various times
With the ‘Woodhouse Players’ acting troupe, children will learn all about the life cycle of butterflies through poetry and a variety of immersive nature-themed activities. Advance booking required.
£7.50 per child and General Admission for adults
RSPB Dearne Valley – Old Moor
Old Moor Lane, Wombwell S73 0YF
www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/dearne-valley-old-moor
Pond Pirates Trail
Sunday 20th July to Monday 2nd September
Ahoy me hearties, the Old Moor Pond Pirates need your help this summer!
Captain Ramshorn and his crew have been attacked by Captain Cormorant and his band of miscreants. They have fled their ship and gone into hiding around Old Moor. Ye need to find the crew mates and collect their clues.
£3.00 per trail pack