Enjoy summer fun in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Several organisations, including Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, are delivering special activities, sessions and events – which are either free or low cost in most cases – in addition to their standard facilities to help young people keep the boredom at bay during the school holidays.

Cllr. Craig Skelding, Cabinet member for leisure, culture and heritage, said:

We want our communities to be healthy, happy and active and able to enjoy living in a safe environment, not just during the school holidays but throughout the entire year. The Council provides an outstanding suite of facilities so that residents of all ages, and also visitors, can enjoy an active and fulfilling experience in the borough.

 

It’s very easy for youngsters to get bored during the long school break so we want to encourage them to fill their spare time with fun and positive activities. I’m pleased to say that there is so much going on in Newcastle-under-Lyme, not just organised by the council, so I hope young people take advantage of the many opportunities available to them on their doorstep and have a brilliant time.”

There is always something interesting to see and do at the Brampton Museum, the Council’s award winning heritage and culture venue, and summer is no exception. As well as daily trails, the popular retro toy display, a Victorian street and a family-friendly exhibition exploring rocks, minerals and soils – and how these natural resources have shaped Staffordshire – a series of themed workshops are available every Wednesday at 10.30am thanks to National Lottery players:

• Interactive storytime – 24 July – free admission
• Beginners’ watercolour painting – 7 August – £5 per child
• Play with clay – 21 August - £5 per child
• Wild about Brampton – 28 August – £5 per child

Free tickets to these activities are available to families in need by contacting the museum.

The museum, which is free to enter and also has a tearoom, is based within the Green Flag Brampton Park where there is a sandpit, bird aviary, sensory garden, children’s playground, poignant sculptures, a soft play centre and lots of green space to enjoy a picnic and a game of football. A miniature railway, operated by the North Staffordshire Model Engineering Society, runs free train rides on Sunday afternoons, and Wednesdays during the holidays, in return for a small donation. Free parking is available.

More information, including museum opening times and workshop pre-booking, is available here.

There are lots of activities and events taking place in Newcastle town centre thanks to Newcastle-under-Lyme Business Improvement District (BID).

The town centre is hosting a day of outdoor cinema screenings on Saturday, 17 August. Visitors can view four blockbuster films throughout the day – set against the backdrop of the stunning Guildhall – and best of all, it's completely free.

The BID invites everyone to bring their own blankets, picnic chairs and refreshments and join us on the High Street for a memorable day.

Film schedule

11am – Jungle Book (PG) – begin your day with the timeless adventure of Mowgli and his friends in the jungle. This beloved Disney classic, filled with memorable songs and characters, is perfect for families.

1pm – The Goonies (12A) – embark on a thrilling treasure hunt with The Goonies, an 80s favourite that continues to captivate audiences. Ideal for both nostalgic fans and newcomers, this film is recommended for ages 12 and over.

4pm – The Greatest Showman (PG) – experience the magic of P.T. Barnum’s world in *The Greatest Showman*. This uplifting musical celebrates the spirit of showmanship and is suitable for all ages.

7pm – Dirty Dancing (12A) – end the evening with the iconic romance of Dirty Dancing. With its unforgettable dance sequences and love story, this film is recommended for audiences aged 12 and over.

The outdoor cinema is part of the BID's broader "Castle Summer" initiative, a month-long series of events organised by the BID and funded by town centre businesses.

Here’s what else is happening in Newcastle town centre throughout August:

• Pop-Up Park Activities: Every Friday, from 12-2pm outside the Guildhall, enjoy family-friendly activities such as F E A S T E D Flavour Summer School, circus workshops, animal encounters and meet and greets with popular characters.
• Doggy Date and Dog-Friendly Campaign Launch: Join a celebration of our four-legged friends on Tuesday, 27 August. Activities include free doggy pawtraits, ice cream and giveaways as well as the launch of a dog-friendly campaign.
• Castle Food and Drink Fest: Savour food and drink offerings at the Castle Food and Drink Fest, on Saturday, 24 August, featuring more than 40 traders in collaboration with Independent Street.

For more information, follow Newcastle-under-Lyme BID on social media: Instagram / Facebook / LinkedIn

A short distance away from Newcastle town centre is the New Vic Theatre, Staffordshire’s only theatre-in-the-round. It’s inviting young people, aged 10 to 15, to take part in a “Play in a Week” experience from Monday, 29 July to Friday, 2 August – inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s much-loved novel The Secret Garden – where they will learn about the world of play, read through a script, be cast in a short play, rehearse with their fellow cast members and then perform the play in front of their family and friends.

Younger children can celebrate the work of Frances Hodgson Burnett on Tuesday, 6 and Wednesday, 7 August through craft making and drama.

More information about both events is available on the New Vic’s website.

A holiday swimming timetable is in place at Jubilee2. Please note that the subsidised summer memberships as part of Space 2024 – supported by funding from Staffordshire Commissioner Ben Adams – have now sold out.

Other out of this world Space opportunities in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the surrounding area, include –

• Free DJ workshops in the safe space, opposite Café Nero, in Newcastle town centre – as well as Clough Hall Park – every week.
• Multi-sports in Newcastle and Clough Hall Park.
• Free tennis sessions at Clough Hall Park, Westlands Sports Ground and Wolstanton Park, with equipment provided.
• Complimentary comic book art and animation sessions with a professional artist at Brampton Museum on Tuesdays.
• Free trampolining coaching, including disability-friendly sessions, at Chesterton Community Sports College.
• Climbing wall at Chesterton Park and Clough Hall Park on two dates.
• Free practical studio sessions at Hitmix Radio, based at Alsagers Bank.

More information is available on the Space website.

Over in Kidsgrove, the Council’s new, state-of-the-art pump track at Newchapel recreation ground – featuring elevated starting platforms and a host of jumps and obstacles – continues to be a huge hit with young people. The free facility, unveiled in June 2021 thanks to advanced Town Deal funding, allows people of all abilities to enjoy track riding using BMX bikes, rollerblades, scooters, skateboards and wheelchairs. There is plenty of free, on-street parking available.

Bathpool Park is just one of the borough’s wonderful and natural district parks which are accessible to all residents and visitors. Many feature local wildlife areas, playgrounds, sports pitches, event space as well as plenty of other activities. Some of them are Green Flag accredited and are some of the best in the country. You can find out more information about these parks, including their location, on the Council’s website.

Local libraries are offering lots of fun and affordable activities for children. Examples of events at Newcastle Library include seashell painting, African drumming, yarn bombing and sock puppet making.