Children get FREE grounds admission to Waddesdon Manor from 22 July until 31 August 2026. Please note that the Wild Wood Adventure Playground is now open!
By the Seaside Week
(Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August)
Mermaids and Pirates Painting Workshop
Wednesday 5 – Friday 7 August
Workshop 1: 11am – 1pm | Workshop 2: 2pm – 4pm
Craft Corner | The Stables
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
Waddesdon Beach
Wednesday 5 – Friday 7 August
Conservation Hub
Head to the Conservation Hub and have fun at the Waddesdon Beach. Make memories with plenty of sand, buckets, spades and other beach toys to get creative with.
Visiting the House? Please check shoes and clothes are clear of sand before entering.
Suitable for all ages
The Pirate Ship
Wednesday 5 – Sunday 9 August
Performances on 8 & 9 August only
The Stables
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
Conservation Hub
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
Punch & Judy
Thursday 6 – Saturday 8 August
Conservation Hub
Prof James’ Famous Punch and Judy show follows a traditional format with a modern twist…enacted by a beautiful collection of hand-carved and hand-painted puppets which he has built up over many years.
Follow the adventures of Mr Punch and Judy in the wacky world of crocodiles, clowns, red nosed policemen and pizza eating ninjas.
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)
The Stables
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
(Wednesday 12 – Sunday 16 August)
Fiery Jack Circus
Wednesday 12 – Sunday 16 August
Aviary Glade
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.
11am – 12.30pm – Ground based circus workshop
11.30am – 12pm – Trapeze workshop
12.30pm – 1pm – Circus show
1.30pm – 4pm – Ground based circus workshop
2.30pm – 3pm – Trapeze workshop
Suitable for ages 4+
Reading and Storytelling Week
(Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 August)
Shed of Stories
Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 August
Conservation Hub
The shed is a multipurpose performance space. Tales are told at various intervals throughout the day, then in between story times the shed becomes a pop-up library where children and families can read together. There is also a small writing desk with paper and pencils where older children can pen their next masterpiece.
Suitable for all ages
Short Story Competition
Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 August
Craft Corner | The Stables
Let your creativity flow and take part in a Short Story competition run by Calibre. Stories can be submitted onsite or by visiting the Calibre website here.
Suitable for ages 4+
Story Trail
Wednesday 19 – Sunday 23 August
Miss Alice’s Drive
Take a trip down Miss Alice’s Drive and discover the Story Trail, part of the National Year of Reading 2026.
Suitable for ages 4+
Dinosaur Week
(Wednesday 26 – Monday 31 August)
Learn about Fossils
Wednesday 26 – Monday 31 August
Conservation Hub
Head to the Conservation Hub to see some real life fossils from the Jurassic Period. Kindly on loan from the Natural History Museum Tring.
Fossil Digging
Wednesday 26 – Monday 31 August
The Stables
Go on a prehistoric treasure hunt! Grab a tool and have a go at our Fossil Digging. What will you find?
Meet a Dinosaur
Saturday 29 – Monday 31 August
The Stables
How to Train your Dinosaur – Join us for a fun-filled theatrical Dinosaur Show, full of mischief, educational entertainment and lots of interactive moments. Fun for all ages, come and learn how to train your own dinosaurs with the help of some rather cheeky dinosaurs.
Meet a Dinosaur – As well as the show, Baxter the T. rex, Tiny the huge Triceratops, Bumble the Brontosaurus and Mango the baby Triceratops will be roaming the grounds.