This summer couldn’t be more fun for residents and visitors to Wokingham borough, with a whole host of events and activities taking place at Dinton Pastures Country Park.
The lakeside beauty spot near Hurst is offering something to get everyone outside and enjoying the sunshine between now and early autumn - whether running a race, watching a film, dancing to live music or learning new skills on the water.
The activity courses, provided by Wokingham Borough Council, are designed to suit all ages and levels of experience or ability. Places are still available but they are selling quickly, so early booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Activities for everyone to enjoy
Youngsters aged eight to 17 can take part in junior and teen Royal Yachting Association (RYA) sailing weeks or keep up their existing skills at junior and teen club sessions. The Wild Days Holiday Club scheme, for ages eight to 13, offers all kinds of adventures like water sports, climbing and archery.
Adult courses include dinghy sailing (beginners and improvers), open water swimming, stand-up paddleboard yoga and an RYA powerboat licence.
There are all kinds of inclusive activities for those with disabilities or special educational needs. Even four-legged friends can enjoy a "doggy paddle" alongside their owners on paddleboards or kayaks as part of a guided activity programme.
In addition, the park’s regular boat hire service will be seven days a week during school holidays and at weekends until autumn.
Dance, run... or chill out with a film
Meanwhile, this summer’s events include the Marvellous Festival on the weekend of 23 and 24 July, which will see 14 top tribute acts rocking the stage including tributes to Foo Fighters, Oasis, Abba, Queen and more.
To add in some family fun, Happy's Circus will be putting up a traditional big top and performing two cabaret-themed productions featuring music, dance, and comedy.
Dinton Pastures is also once again staging its programme of outdoor film screenings. In July and August, there will be screenings of The Greatest Showman, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, Clueless and Legally Blonde.
The park is also hosting the monthly Barnes Fitness Dinton Summer Series 5km and 10km evening races, the first of which took place on 12 May. Three more will take place on 9 June, 14 July and 11 August.
'One of the best places to be'
Cllr Ian Shenton, executive member for environment, sport and leisure, said: “Summer is a great time for everyone to spend time together and enjoy our borough’s beautiful green spaces. With its beautiful, carefully managed setting and wide variety of wildlife, Dinton Pastures is the perfect venue for that.
“Whether you’re just visiting for a walk, lunch or taking part in one of the many exciting activities that we’re putting on, it’s one of the best places in the area for everyone to be over the next few months and beyond.”
This year's courses will run from Dinton Pastures’ new £2.4 million activity centre, which the council opened last September. It is the borough's first carbon neutral building and boasts a high-tech indoor climbing wall, accessible ground-floor washroom, a terrace with coffee bar and much more.
The authority has also resurfaced the footpath around Black Swan Lake, the most popular walking route at the park, to improve accessibility.
For full details of the summer programme or to book, visit www.dinton-pastures.co.uk.
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