Animal Week (Wed 22 – Sun 26 July)
The Big Butterfly Count
Wednesday 22 – Sunday 26 July | 11am – 4pm
Get involved in the The Big Butterfly Count, a nationwide citizen science survey aimed at helping us assess the health of our environment.
Pick up a copy of the butterfly ID sheet from the Conservation Hub and find a nice spot to count butterflies. Spend at least 15 minutes in your chosen spot, record how many of each species you see and hand and your sheet back to the Conservation Hub when you have finished.
Berkshire Birds of Prey
Thursday 23 – Sunday 26 July | 11am – 4pm
Get up close and personal with birds of prey! Learn about their habits, habitats, and history as well as how you can help them in the wild.
Feeling brave? Put on a handlers glove and have the chance to hold the birds yourself.
Suitable for ages 4+
Go Wild Craft Workshop
Thursday 23 – Friday 24 July
Workshop 1: 11am – 1pm | Workshop 2: 2pm – 4pm
Join this Makendoo workshop to make 3D woodland animals such as owls, squirrels, hedgehogs and badgers.
Suitable for all ages
The Butterflies & Borneo Again
Saturday 25 July
Join us on Saturday 25 July and enjoy two roaming performances: The Butterflies and Borneo Again.
Two playful butterflies are ready to spread their wings and explore, and while they flutter from flower to flower they whisper sweet messages to remind us all to help protect our precious planet.
Also explorer Captain John Voyage accompanied by a lifelike orangutan, Mr Business, have travelled from the Sumatran rainforest pay Waddesdon Manor a visit.
Suitable for ages 4 – 10
The Dragon Wagon
Thursday 23 – Friday 24 July
Show 1: 12pm – 12.45pm | Show 2: 2pm – 2.45pm
Come and meet the Dragon Whisperer and his magical dragons. A joyfully interactive family show set on a colourful retro caravan, packed with puppetry, music and laughter.
Suitable for ages 4 – 10
What the Tortoise Taught Us
Sunday 26 July | 11-11.30am & 1-1.30pm & 3-3.30pm
Meet Zelva, the incredible, animatronic, giant tortoise who has walked the earth for hundreds of years, and now she wants to share her time with you.
Zelva’s beautiful shell becomes a magical stage, as she and her loyal companion recreate their favourite adventures together using miniature props, puppets… and a few special effects.
Suitable for ages 4 – 10
Get Active Week (Wed 29 July – Sun 2 August)
Archery, Climbing Wall & Axe Throwing
Wednesday 29 July – Sunday 2 August | 11am – 4pm
On Targett Events will be bringing, archery, a climbing wall and Axe throwing to Waddesdon Manor.
Have a go at the medieval art of archery (suitable for ages 8+) or channel your inner hero and tackle the climbing wall. Minimum height and weight and maximum weight limits apply.
Or do you fancy Axe throwing? The instructors are all trained to association standards to keep the sessions safe and to give guests the best chance of achieving a “stick”.
Age limits apply
Crazy Golf
Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 July | 11am – 4pm
Altitude Events’ Mobile Crazy Golf Course is a 9 hole course with all the usual favourites on it including a loop the loop, slopes, lumps and bumps, sports themed holes and false tunnels. The Mobile Crazy Golf course has no age limits so is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. The course comes complete with different sized clubs, balls, pencils and score cards for those who want to get competitive!
Suitable for all ages.
By the Seaside Week (Wed 5 – Sun 9 August)
Mermaids and Pirates Painting Workshop
Wednesday 5 – Friday 7 August
Workshop 1: 11am – 1pm | Workshop 2: 2pm – 4pm
Hoist the Jolly Rodger at this Makendoo Mermaids and Pirates painting workshop. Children can make: pirate hats and masks, parrots, mermaid masks and puppets, dolphins, fish, sharks and much more.
Suitable for all ages
The Pirate Ship
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August
Performances on 8 & 9 August only
Join Captain Swish Buckle and Long Joan Silver for a rip-roaring pirate adventure. This lively, larger-than-life duo bring a true sense of adventure wherever they drop anchor – forever on the lookout for hidden treasure and new tales to tell. Singing shanties, spinning yarns, and stirring up plenty of mischief, they welcome fresh crew members to join their ever-growing ranks.
Suitable for ages 3 – 10
Colouring Caravan
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August
A magical, mobile creative space where kids can colour, imagine and unwind. Our beautifully illustrated caravan invites children to dive into a world of doodles, patterns and playful designs—perfect for sparking creativity and keeping little hands busy.
Just turn up, pick your colours and let the creativity flow!
Suitable for all ages
The Whale
Sunday 9 August | 11am – 12pm, 1-2pm and 3-4pm (2 x 30 minute shows in each time slot)
A show stopping centrepiece just washed ashore! This 18 metres long sperm whale is guaranteed to enchant as well as having a story to tell.
Step inside its seaweed strewn belly and be told seafaring tales.
Suitable for ages 3 – 10
Circus Week (Wed 12 – Sun 16 August)
Fiery Jack Circus
Wednesday 12 – Sunday 16 August
Step right up to a world of wonder at Waddesdon Manor! Join us for an unforgettable circus experience hosted by a real circus family under their hand-painted canvas tent! Each day features the spectacular Fiery Jack Family Show followed by hands-on thrills for all ages. Take to the skies with our Trapeze sessions, or dive into our vibrant ground-based arena to master a massive array of skills. Whether you’re spinning diabolos, learning the art of juggling, or finding your rhythm with hula hoops, there is a new talent for everyone to discover.