Mum's guide to Harpenden: From bumps to teens, your family-friendly guide

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.

Feature

OPEN MORNING
Friday 19th October, 2018

Situated in stunning parkland just 15 minutes from Harpenden and 20 minutes from St Albans, Beechwood Park offers an environment were children can flourish.

Broad, balanced curriculum and outstanding record of exam success to a range of excellent senior schools, both day and boarding
Well-served by a network of school buses
Flexi-boarding available from Year 5
Onsite Woodlands Nursery (from rising 3) offering an innovative, creative curriculum including French, Yoga and Forest School
Excellent range of co-curricular activities, including sailing, orienteering, fencing, Russian and Spanish
Finest facilities for sport, including covered swimming pool complex, sports hall and multiple pitches
Newly opened music technology and recording studio
Superb art studio, including pottery cellar
Forest School programme

"Going places. With its dynamic new head and, in the words of one happy parent, 'feel good factor', Beechwood should definitely be on the list of parents who want the certainty of a quality end destination for their child without compromising the joy of the journey." Good Schools Guide, 2017

To find out more call 01582 840333 or visit
www.beechwoodpark.com

Community

Harpenden and Rural Children's Centres News

The Harpenden & Rural Children Centres are being recommissioned at the end of September. It is with sadness that we say goodbye to the team who have supported Harpenden parents for over 12 years from baby weigh-ins and baby clinics to parenting programs, SEND support, childhood advice and the children’s first aid courses.

The Centres are being replaced by the new Hertfordshire Family Centre Service in October. You will need to re-register with this new service at www.hertsfamilycentres.org when the website becomes available. When we have more information we will let you know but in the meantime the new service has provided a leaflet, which you can read here.

What's On This Week

Willow Activity Farm Potato Shindig
3rd September 2018-09-03 2018-09-30 - 30th September
Willows Activity Farm, London Colney

Learning How We Learn: A Parent’s Guide to Metacognition
20th September 2018-09-20 2018-09-20
The Maltings Theatre, St Albans

Cirque Normandie
21st September 2018-09-21 2018-09-23 - 23rd September
Redbourn Common, Redbourn

Roald Dahl Forest Activities
22nd September 2018-09-22 2018-09-23 - 23rd September
Wendover Woods, Wendover

Robots Live
22nd September 2018-09-22 2018-09-23 - 23rd September
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage

Duxford Battle of Britain Air Show
22nd September 2018-09-22 2018-09-23 - 23rd September
IWM Duxford, Duxford

John Bunyan Family Fun Day
22nd September 2018-09-22 2018-09-22
John Bunyan Pub, near Wheathampstead

Harpenden Concert Band - An Afternoon on Broadway (FREE)
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Chidell Hall, Aldwickbury School, Harpenden

Your Toys
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Luton Library Theatre, Luton

Big Fish Little Fish Family Rave
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Watford Colosseum, Watford

Your Toys- Children's Theatre Show
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Luton Library Theatre , St Georges Square

Wheathampstead Station Fun Day
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Wheathampstead Station, Wheathampstead

Harpenden Farmer's Market (FREE)
23rd September 2018-09-23 2018-09-23
Lower High Street, Harpenden

How to Help Your Child Plan to Achieve Their Goals
24th September 2018-09-24 2018-09-24
Fleetville Infant and Nursery School, St Albans

Stick Man
25th September 2018-09-25 2018-09-25
Broadway Theatre, Letchworth Garden City

More events

News & Notices

Secondary School Open Days Autumn 2018

Term may almost be over, but for those heading into Year 6 in September it will be time to start visit all the Secondary Schools before you know it! The local state schools have all released their Open Evening dates and we have them on School Open Days page in an easy alphabetical list so find the ones you want to visit and get those dates in your diary now. If Sandringham is of interest don't forget its open evening is much earlier than the others on Tuesday, 10th July!... Read more

Monthly Picks

Ah, September… end of the holidays, back to school, weather turning cooler… ok enough of the melancholy! There’s still fun to be had before the schools go back and plenty to keep you entertained at the weekends after that.

First up, on the first day of the month, the first ever Harpenden Emergency Services Day on Saturday 1st September at the Fire Station. This free event for all the family is a join enterprise between all of our emergency services and first responders. There will be demonstrations, advice, children’s activities and refreshments.

This month is the annual Heritage Open Days festival celebrating history and culture across the UK. On the first weekend of events running 6th-9th September you can enjoy FREE days out at Verulamium Museum, St Albans Signal Box & Museum (celebrating its 150th Anniversary!), Welwyn Roman Baths, Hertford Castle, Jordans Mill and Milton Keynes Museum.

During the second weekend, running 13th – 16th September, you can go back in time at the St Albans Time Turner Festival, visit behind the scenes at Watford Palace Theatre or enjoy crafts at Cassiobury Park.

For more great events across Hertfordshire and beyond visit the Heritage Open Days website.

Brambleton Model Railway Club are holding their autumn Open Day at their site just off Highfield Oval on Saturday 8th September. If you have train-mad little ones (or big ones) in your family then this afternoon is a must.

There’s lots of family-friendly theatre and shows this month at venues around the area including Leaf at The Sandpit Theatre, where the children will be invited onto the stage at the end of the performance; How to Hide a Lion at Hertford Theatre and Broadway Theatre, Letchworth; Your Toys at Luton Library Theatre; Stick Man at Broadway Theatre, Letchworth; Mischief in Moomin Valley at The Old Town Hall, Hemel and Hertford Theatre and The Snail and the Whale and Snow White, Rose Red, Bear Brown both at Hertford Theatre.

Also at Hertford Theatre this month, for slightly older children (age 7+) a Comedy Club 4 Kids/Simple Politics production called "How does this politics thing work then?" aims to teach children why politics is important and how it can be fun!

Finally for this month, we started with a new event on the first day of the month and we end with another new event on the last day of the month… Harpenden Spotlight on Africa are holding “school fair” for their school in Uganda. Join them for a fun family afternoon and take part in their Africa Adventure Trail to raise money for the important work they do. As well as the obstacle course there will be African drumming, masks, crafts, refreshments and more!

Essential Guide

Welcome to Parenthood in Harpenden!

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...

USER RECOMMENDATIONS

Here's the latest recommendations from our visitors and followers. If you'd like to add a recommendation for a business or organisation search for their listing here on the site and click on the Recommend This button.

Harpenden RFC Squash Club
"My three boys go to the Saturday afternoon drop in sessions and weekday training. They really enjoy playing and the coaching support provided is excellent. It’s a great workout and also not weather dependant! I would totally recommend for both beginners and more experienced players. "

ACE Recall Study Performance Coaching
"Our son was coached by Adrian in the year leading up to his GCSEs. His confidence increased and he learnt lots of different study and exam techniques. He become more motivated and was much more prepared for studying and when sitting the exams."

ADVERTORIAL

How to Create and Maintain an Organised Family Home

My name is Tracy Ross and I’m an experienced organiser. I set up Blissfully Organised eight years ago to support my clients to simplify their home management and make better use of the space that they have.

Article

Are your kids climbing the walls?

Mascots Harry the Hornet and Rocky the Squirrel certainly got the children cheering as we arrived at the opening of Rock Up Watford. Mum’s guide to Harpenden were invited to try out the 27 brand new climbing walls up to 8m high situated at the Intu shopping mall in Watford.

TRIED & TESTED