stalbanslife

Future Gardens

If you have children in or around the St Albans area, you may already be well aware of the recently opened Butterfly World in Chiswell Green and the ever- popular Willows Farm Village near London Colney.

BUTTERFLY WORLD PROJECT

Butterfly World is now in Phase III of its £27 M project and has been visited by 25,000 people since it opened just two years ago. The focus for this season is on the lifecycle of the Butterfly and making people aware of how fragile it is. Any schools who would be interested visiting  their education zone can apply via the website. Spread the word…

The children’s playground extension is now completed and suitable for all ages.  This consists of wobbly sheep, willow tunnels, rope bridge and log climbing- frame as well as sandpits. This year the tropical butterfly house is home to 600 species of butterflies!  The wildflower meadows are spectular! Bring a camera along to capture the beauty of the 12 unique Future Gardens (my personal favourite!). And finally, many locals are awaiting the opening of the massive biome (27 acre site designed in the shape of a butterfly’s head) in Autumn 2011.

  See www.butterflyworldproject.com for full information and prices (incl membership) The website also contains good photos as well as the story of how it all came to be. Really worth a look! Enjoy.

WILLOWS FARM VILLAGE

Like Butterfly World, this famous farm village  is both educational and fun yet has a charming atmosphere of its own! Willows started as a working farm and gradually developed into one of the top leisure attractions in Hertfordshire.

It now includes reindeer, wallabies, sheep racing, duck trails, Tristan Tractor Rides,Panning for Gold, fair rides, bouncy castles, Woolly’s Barn (great active fun for a rainy day), lakeside walks, guinea-pigs in dozens (our favourite) and many more attractions as well as good food and coffee.

From 23rd July to 4th  September 2011, the maize is open to all (see website). Parents may be pleased to hear that Activity Day Camps will be available for children at  approx £35 per day (8.30am – 5.30pm). And if you want to have a glimpse into the daily stuff, read the Farmer’s Blog on their flash website. There is even an interactive map on there too!  Note; some activities are seasonal – especially Santa’s visit!!

www.willowsfarmvillage.com

If you have enjoyed your visit to either attraction,  let us know.

So you are new to this area or new to the world of camping and don’t know where to start?  Here!

St Albans has several outdoor stores which stock everything from family tents to childrens’ walking boots and compasses. Below is a list of our local stores, followed by a list of nearby campsites (where you can test out your camping skills!) and some helpful websites and magazines.

COTSWOLD OUTDOORS; Helpful staff and good quality products. Lightweight tents for backpacking, a large range of equipment, Duke of Edinburgh products and outdoor clothing. See their website for the list of products.Located near town centre on Victoria St.  Free Parking outside store. Tel 01727 847888 www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

MILLETS; Small store but contains quality outdoor clothing, camping gadgets, some small tents, accessories and footwear. Helpful staff too!  Located in town centre just off Market Place (nearest parking Christopher Place Car Park). Tel; 01727 856 328 www.millets.co.uk

PJ CAMPING; Large store  (part of a chain) containing everything you would need for your camping holiday. They have a large outdoor exhibition area to enjoy with a variety of party tents, family tents, festival tents and weekenders.  Luggage, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and chairs as well as large array of gadgets sold in store and  there is free car parking on site. Address; Notcutts Garden Centre, 605 Hatfield Rd, Colney Heath, St Albans  AL4 0HN. Tel; 01727 850901. www.intertent.co.uk 

HALFORDS; Contains section for outdoor pursuits including some tents, gazebos and accessories. Located in St Albans retail park,  near the town centre. See www.halfords.com or tel 01727 853 444

CAMPSITES NEARBY

Hertford Camping and Caravan Club Site; This large, conservation site is just 30 minutes from St Albans (beside the historic town of Hertford). There is a large choice of pitches on grounds which is partitioned into several areas. High quality toilet/shower blocks, shop, playground, serviced pitches and helpful staff. Non-members are welcome too. Tel; 01992 586696

Grafham Waters Caravan Club Site, Huntingdon (has a tent meadow beside main site)  This is about 70 mins drive from St Albans. A favourite for our kids, it has a lovely playground and swimming pool, yet is surrounded by fields and the large lake of Grafham Waters. Sailing and other water sports nearby. The Fish n Chip van visits on Friday evenings. Tel; 01480 810264. See www.ukcampsite.co.uk for reviews on this and all other sites.

Lee Valley Campsite; Basic site but has good facilites and the friendliest staff I ever met. This is a 25 minute drive from St Albans (assuming the M25 is flowing). It is a good if you want to experience the Olympic Training Centre and some of the Lee Valley Olympic events. There is a cinema and golf course by the site. Tel; 0208 8036900

HELPFUL WEBSITES  www.gocamping.org  and www.outandaboutlive.co.uk  is full of allsorts of outdoor persuits/tips/events  as well as a forum for you to join. Also, for overall reviews and details of every UK site, click www.ukcamping.co.uk

CAMPING MAGAZINES

‘ Camping’  (monthly) and ‘Go Camping’ (annual) are available from WH Smith ,PJ Camping or can be ordered online from  www.outandaboutlive.co.uk

Please  feel free to add your tips or experiences relating to the above information. Happy Holidays!

Camping

PLAY IN THE PARKS,  ST ALBANS

This is free to all parents and children each summer. Running from 26^th July until 1^stSeptember, your 5-12 yr olds can go along to any of the 15 open spaces across the district. However, under 8’s need to be accompanied by a parent.

Activities include Drama Workshops, Creative Games and Sports Specific Sessions. For further details, maps etc, click on www.stalbans.gov.uk .

WILLOWS PARK FARM, LONDON COLNEY

Willows is just magical for children and whatever the weather, there is always plenty to do. The ever-popular ‘maize’ maze activity runs from 24^th July until 5^thSeptember. There is Woollys Jumper Play Barn, the Sheep Show (my kids favourite!), Daft Duck trails, Fun Fair Rides. You can hold the Guinea-Pigs, drink a smooth latte or play Frisbee Golf. Lots more information on events, times and prices on www.willowsfarmvillage.com .

THE SNOW CENTRE, HEMEL HEMPSTEAD

It might be summertime but why not get ready for the Ski Season? The Ski Centre is a 15 minute drive from St Albans and offers Holiday Courses from £60. The kids use up their energy on the slope while you unwind in the Edge Café Bar and look on! It’s a win/win situation! Click www.thesnowcentre.com .

Note; Our local newspapers, The Herts Advertiser www.hertsad.co.uk  and The St Albans Review www.stalbansreview.co.uk  have the latest info on theatres, arts and sports events.

The Winter’s Tale, July 2010

Rooftop Theatre Company are delighted to be performing their next production, The Winter’s Tale, in the stunningly restored 14^thC  Kingsbury Barn, St Albans.

Shakespeare’s compelling drama The Winter’s Tale is a moving story of the consequences of jealousy and tyranny and the power of remorse. Leontes, King of Sicilia is thrown into violent rage and jealousy at the perceived affair between his wife Hermione and best friend Polixenes. The results resonate through 16 years and across the seas to Bohemia. After this the redemptive effects of time, love and forgiveness bring a surprising and bittersweet conclusion.

Rooftop Theatre Company, based in St Albans, have a strong track record of entertaining and accessible productions of Shakespeare’s plays. Their most recent was Twelfth Night at the Old Town Hall which followed Taming of the Shrew and Love’s Labour’s Lost at Inn on the Park. They present plays in a visual and dramatic style with innovative interpretations which drive the energy and passion of the plot. They seek unconventional venues and their productions complement the surroundings. Kingsbury Barn provides a perfect setting for the contrasting locations in The Winter’s Tale: the corrupt Court of Sicilia and the bucolic earthiness of Bohemia.

“Innovative direction, good acting and an unusual (and magnificent) setting…a delight.”
Candy Whittome, St Albans Arts on Twelfth Night

“Extraordinarily compelling…Rooftop have lifted open-air Shakespeare in St Albans to a new dimension”
Herts Advertiser on Love’s Labour’s Lost

Performances:

Thursday 8^th July                    7.30

Friday 9^th July                         7.30

Saturday 10^th July                  7.30

Monday 12^th July                    7.30

Tuesday 13^th July                   7.30

Thursday 15^th July                  7.30

Friday 16^th July                       7.30

Saturday 17^th July matinee    1.30

Saturday 17^th July                  7.30

Tickets

Full price                                 £12.00

Concessions (students, unwaged) £10.00

Children under 14                   £8.00

For tickets and further details: www.rooftoptheatre.co.uk, 01727 846397

St Albans Festival 2010 has something very special to celebrate this year; the ‘The Magna Carta’!

Our city has played a central role in the drafting of this important document in 1215. This theme will be echoed in the Festival performances, museum activities and street events. The Rt. Hon.Lord Bingham and TV historian Dan Snow will be speaking and our own Mayor will lead the celebratory procession through the city centre.

Larks in the Parks, Buskers Week, Retailer of the Year Awards and entertainment in the Alban Arena are a few examples of the endless list of events planned for this festival. The Maltings Arts Theatre will feature the films of Stanley Kubrick, one of the most innovative film directors. Our local St Albans tour guides have organised the Sam Ryder Exhibition in the Comfort Hotel. I attended this exhibition last year and would highly recommend it. Get the diaries out and pencil in this years Festival!

Lots more information available on www.stalbansfestival.co.uk , BOX OFFICE 01727 844488 and www.stalbans.gov.uk.