WELCOME TO MUM'S GUIDE TO HARPENDEN!
From bumps to teens, we have it covered! This is your one-stop site for everything you need to know about living in Harpenden with children. We're number one for information about what's on, things to do and children's activities locally!
NEW - you can now add RECOMMENDATIONS for your favourite businesses! You asked for it, and we listened! Just visit the listing you want to recommend and click the "Recommend this" button. You'll be asked to register the first time and then you can add recommendations for as many businesses as you like.
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PARC - Playground Action Rothamsted Committee have been working hard on concept designs for a new play area in Rothamsted Park. Two fantastic designs have been produced by two different providers offering a completely transformed play area catering for children of different ages and needs.
You can now take a look, vote for your favourite of the two designs design and give your comments and feedback on both.
You can find the designs and feedback form here: http://l.ead.me/bb0maw
Skate Van Hage
15th November
- 7th January
Van Hage Garden Centre, Pepper Hill
Santa Spectacular
21st November
- 24th December
Willows Activity Farm, London Colney
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
30th November
- 27th January
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage
The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio
1st December
- 1st January
Hertford Theatre, Hertford
Polar Bear Trail
1st December
- 23rd December
Natural History Museum at Tring, Tring
Magic of Christmas
1st December
- 24th December
Mead Open Farm, Billington
Jack and the Beanstalk
5th December
- 5th January
Watford Palace Theatre, Watford
Theatre in Museums: A Christmas Carol
6th December
- 22nd December
Wardown House, Museum and Gallery, Luton
Cinderella
6th December
- 6th January
The Alban Arena, St Albans
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
7th December
- 31st December
The Grove Theatre, Dunstable
Meraki Christmas Festival
(FREE)
8th December
- 22nd December
Adjacent to Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre, St Albans
Aladdin
8th December
- 3rd January
The Radlett Centre, Radlett
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
8th December
- 30th December
Harpenden Public Halls, Harpenden
Jack and the Beanstalk
13th December
- 18th December
Luton Library Theatre, St George’s Square
Santa Claus and the Magical Journey
13th December
- 18th December
Watford Colosseum, Watford
Enchanted Stockwood
14th December
- 16th December
Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton
Christmas Extravaganza - Creation Station & Mini Professors
14th December
Quaker Friends Meeting House, Harpenden
Lee Valley White Water Centre Christmas Event
14th December
- 16th December
Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross
Wear It Festive
14th December
Everywhere, Schools and work places
A Christmas Carol
15th December
- 16th December
Abbey Theatre, St Albans
Baby Broadway Christmas
15th December
Watford Palace Theatre, Watford
Festive Day Out with Thomas
15th December
- 16th December
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton near Aylesbury
Help Father Christmas at St Albans Museum
(FREE)
15th December
St Albans Museum & Gallery, St Albans
Carols on the Hour
(FREE)
15th December
St Albans Cathedral, St Albans
Children's Christmas Trail
15th December
- 16th December
Ashridge Estate, Ringshall, Nr Berkhamsted
Twelve Days of Christmas Gallery Trail
(FREE)
15th December
- 6th January
Verulamium Museum, St Albans
Games in the Galleries
(FREE)
15th December
- 6th January
St Albans Museum & Gallery, St Albans
Hansel & Gretal
15th December
The Sandpit Theatre, St Albans
Kurling & Skittes
(FREE)
15th December
Chrisopher Place, St Albans
Aladdin
15th December
- 6th January
CW Entertainment, Welwyn Garden City
Christmas Carol Trail 2018
15th December
- 16th December
Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Christmas Crafts 2018
15th December
- 16th December
Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Christmas Panto Storytime
(FREE)
15th December
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
dHPO - The Nutcracker and the Mouse King
16th December
The Weston Auditorium, Hatfiel
Rudolph Rave
16th December
Watford Colosseum, Watford
Sleeping Beauty
16th December
Batford Memorial Hall, Harpenden
Harpenden Concert Band presents The Snowman
(FREE)
16th December
Chidell Hall, Aldwickbury School, Harpenden
All Age Christmas Nativity Service
(FREE)
16th December
St John's Church, Harpenden
St Mary's Children's Nativity Play Service
(FREE)
16th December
St Mary's Church, Harpenden
Bethlehem's Got Talent - Alternative Nativity Performance
(FREE)
16th December
City Church St Albans, St Albans
The Snowman
17th December
Watford Colosseum, Watford
Jack and the Beanstalk
18th December
- 22nd December
Rudolf Steiner School Theatre, King's Langley
Monkey Music Christmas Workshop
18th December
The Musicale, Harpenden,
Local Author Camilla Chester visit to Harpenden Library
(FREE)
18th December
Harpenden Library, Harpenden
Make and Do craft session
(FREE)
19th December
- 21st December
St Albans Museum & Gallery, St Albans
A Christmas Carol
20th December
- 23rd December
Abbey Theatre, St Albans
Jack and the Beanstalk
20th December
- 24th December
Luton Library Theatre, St George’s Square
Santa Claus and the Magical Journey
20th December
- 24th December
Watford Colosseum, Watford
Christmas Slime Workshop
20th December
- 23rd December
Herring Green Activity Farm & Birds of Prey Centre, Wilstead
Reindeer Food Workshop
20th December
- 23rd December
Herring Green Activity Farm & Birds of Prey Centre, Wilstead
Christmas Carol Trail 2018
20th December
- 23rd December
Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
Christmas Crafts 2018
20th December
- 23rd December
Chilterns Gateway Centre, Dunstable Downs, Dunstable
December, of course, means Christmas, Christmas everywhere! Santa is very busy making appearances in Harpenden and across Hertfordshire. If you’re thinking of taking the children to see him, have a look at our guide to places that he will be visiting.
Panto season will soon be in full swing. This year, at Harpenden Public Halls, Polka Dot Pantomimes brings us Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring TV’s Jeremy Edwards and featuring a cast of local children. It runs from 8th – 30th December with a special relaxed/signed performance on Sunday 23rd December at 10.30am.
There’s also a panto at Batford Memorial Hall on Sunday 16th December. Odd Socks Entertainment will be presenting their version of Sleeping Beauty, especially aimed at children aged 4-11.
And the Alban Arena is presenting Cinderella from 6th December to 6th January starring Rachel Stevens (S Club 7) and Ben Faulks (better known as Mr Bloom).
Other pantos in the area include: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Grove Theatre Dunstable and Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage; Jack and the Beanstalk at Watford Palace Theatre, Luton Library Theatre and King's Langley; Aladdin at CW Entertainment in Welwyn and the Radlett Centre.
Of course, there is other non-panto Christmassy theatre on offer too including: Hansel & Gretal at the Sandpit Theatre; A Christmas Carol at Abbey Theatre in St Albans and also at Wardown House Museum; The Amazing Adventures of Pinocchio at Hertford Theatre; Santa’s New Sleigh at Broadway Theatre in Letchworth. Definitely something for everyone at the theatre this Christmas!
The film "The Snowman" is a regular Christmas feature in many households and this year the book on which it was based is 40 years old. To celebrate, there are two opportunities to watch the film accompanied by live music here in Harpenden! On 9th December you can join Hitchin Brass band at Harpenden Public Halls, and on 16th December Harpenden Concert Band will be presenting it at Aldwickbury School.
If Christmas shopping is on your mind then you might want to take advantage of the Christmas Markets popping up around the area. Brand new to the local Christmas calendar this year is Harpenden Christmas Market taking place on Bowers Parade, 7th – 9th December. This is separate to the regular Farmers Market and will feature stalls selling arts & crafts, gifts, clothing and jewellery. On 1st December a Christmas Market in aid of St Francis Hospice is being held in Aubrey Park Hotel in Redbourn and then the following day on 2nd December Redbourn village holds its own Christmas Market. This is the 7th year of the event and there will be over 90 stalls!
St Albans Christmas Market this year will be part of the brand-new Meraki Christmas Festival which will include other activities such as ice skating and Santa’s Grotto. The festival runs from 30th November to 6th December at the Herts County Showground before transferring to Verulamium Park from 8th – 22nd December.
If you fancy getting away from the hustle and bustle of it all and taking some quiet time out to reflect on the season then you can join one of the many Christmas services aimed at families and taking place in our local churches over the next few weeks. Christingle Services are taking place at St Nicholas Church on 2nd December (in aid of the Children’s Society), St Mary’s Kinsbourne Green and St Albans Cathedral on 9th December. Nativity plays and services are happening at URC Church on 9th December, St John’s Church Southdown and St Mary’s Kinsbourne Green on 16th December, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church on Christmas Eve. Also on Christmas Eve you can find Crib Services at All Saints Church, St Nicholas Church, St Mary’s Kinsbourne Green and St Albans Cathedral; and a special promenade telling of the Christmas Story "Walking to Bethlehem", through Southdown to St John’s Church.
You can find lots more going on this Christmas on our What’s On page.
Wishing you and your families a very happy and peaceful Christmas from everyone at Mum's guide to Harpenden.
Special Offer on Panto Tickets for PTAs!
Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It’s off to the Panto you go!
Mum’s guide to Harpenden have managed to bag another bargain for school PTAs to raise £100s of pounds! Each school is being offered 50 discounted tickets for the upcoming Harpenden pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.... Read more
Timeline for Nursery Applications 2019/20
The timeline for Nursery Applications for places at Harpenden Primary Schools with Nursery provision has been published.
Monday 4th February 2019: Applications for September 2019 Nursery places open
Monday 4th March 2019: Applications for September 2019 Nursery places close
Monday 18th March 2019: Schools will write to parents offering a place
Monday 25th March 2019: Parents must accept or decline a place by this date
Parents must apply to each school individually. You can find dates of tours for prospective parents on our School & Nursery Open Days page.
Roundwood Park 3G Pitches Pay & Play
The new 3G Pitches at Roundwood Park School are available for Pay & Play sessions for ages 11-17 every Saturday 10am - 5pm.
It only costs £2 per hour for RPS students or members of Harpenden Colts or £3 for all other students. Or £7 for an all day pass. Access to the pitches is on the hour only.
Astro-turf trainers, moulds or screw-in plastic studs only. Only water allowed, no fizzy drinks, sports drinks or juice allowed on the pitches.
For more details contact [email protected] or 01582 714019. www.roundwoodparksportscentre.co.uk
If you would like an opportunity to speak to a local police officer about local policing issues or crime prevention a Beat Surgery is held every Friday 3-5pm in the meeting room in High Steeet Methodist Church.
Attention parents of children turning 5 between Sept 2019 and Sept 2020!
Local primary schools have published their open days and tours for prospective parents for 2019/20. To save you trawling through the individual school websites we've done it for you and compiled the list on our School Open Days page. Not every school offers formal tours and some haven't announced dates yet, but most are on the page already, so take a look, book your places and get the dates in your diary! We will add any others as they are announced.... Read more
Writing reviews can sometimes be tricky, finding kind ways to say it could have been better. Fortunately, for me, the cast and crew of Hertford Theatre’s 2018 Christmas show, The Astonishing Adventures of Pinocchio, have made it the easiest review ever! I don’t have to glaze over anything. In fact, it was so fantastic I’m going to struggle to have enough superlatives to properly describe the amazing actors, the marvellous musicians and the spectacular production. But, I shall try!
Mum’s guide to Harpenden were recently invited to The Lea Primary School to meet their new headteacher, James Berry, who is very keen to share his vision for the school with Harpenden parents and explain why it will appeal to all prospective parents.
Ho Ho Ho! Here's our ultimate guide to all the Santa's Grottoes and Father Christmas Experiences taking place in the local area this year. From train rides to winter wonderlands you can find them all here. So don't delay and get booking, as some of the most popular ones get booked up very quickly!
If you are new to Harpenden, or a new or expectant parent, then here's our essential guide and top tips for living in Harpenden with children...
Need some help deciding where to go and what to do? Read about the places we've tried and tested...
Hertford Theatre put on the Greatest Christmas Show!
Are your kids climbing the walls?
A Day at Aldenham Country Park
Splashing, paddling, fish, and canal boats in Cassiobury Park
Crawling through caves at HYMB
Cooling off at Oasis Beach Pool
A great introduction to a farm for little ones
Fantastic water fun at Box End Aqua Park
A hop, skip and a putt away in the Lost World
Visiting Bletchley Park - home of the codebreakers
Exhausting our little duracell bunnies at Better Extreme Trampoline Park!
Wardown House is a step back in time using fantastic futuristic tools
Plane-spotting at RAF Museum London
What do you get if you cross football and golf?
History on our doorstep at Verulamium Museum
Rain or shine Stockwood Discovery Centre is always a hit
Why not browse through some of the listings we have recently added to the site...
Activities, clubs & classes
Active Hertfordshire KarateEducation & childcare
St Hilda's SchoolMore businesses
MUST WineHealth & Wellbeing
Child Space Counselling
Take time out and read through some of our articles...
Enjoy the great outdoors this summer... without breaking the bank
Summer in (and around) Harpenden - Family events not to miss!
Welcome to Parenthood in Harpenden!
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