Leisure and recreation
West Berkshire has activities and events aimed at families for all different age groups. We also have plenty of parks and outdoor space where families can enjoy the outdoors together for free.
Please use the section below to find links to Parks/ Open spaces, children’s activities and events in West Berkshire. Details of classes can be found by clicking on 'view all services'.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
About the HAF programme for 2022 as well as videos from our 2021 programme
There are free holiday club places available for children and young people eligible for free school meals. This opportunity is provided as part of the government's expanded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme being delivered across West Berkshire, which also covers the Christmas holidays.
The aim of the HAF programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition, as well as being more engaged with school and other local services.
The scheme provides enjoyable activities and nutritious meals for primary and secondary school aged children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
Getting Involved - HAF 2022
Children will be able to access sessions throughout the holidays, at no cost to you. The sessions will include a variety of fun and enriching physical activities, including sports, music, arts and other exciting opportunities to learn and develop skills, alongside a nutritious meal each day. Nutritional resources will also be made available to children attending the sessions.
The holiday club places will be available for the equivalent of at least 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, 6 weeks per year: 1 week in the Easter Holidays, 4 weeks in the Summer Holidays and 1 week in the Winter break.
To find out if your child is eligible and how to book a place, please contact your child's school.
Please find a list of schools and providers that typically offer HAF provision during the school holidays, below:
- Berkshire Youth - waterside primary
- Berkshire Youth - waterside secondary
- Community Youth Project - Greenham
- Hungerford Youth - secondary
- Calcot Schools
- Hungerford Primary
- Lambourn Primary
- Springfield Primary
- St John's
- St Nicolas C.E. Junior
- Thatcham Park Primary
- The Winchcombe Primary
- Burghfield Schools
- Kennet Valley
- Falkland
- Whitelands Primary
- Long Lane
- Francis Bailey
- Spurcroft Primary School and Nursery
- Go Beanies
- Beale Park (Limited places)
- Football Fun Factory - Horris Hill School, Newtown, Newbury
- Andrew Simpson Foundation - Burghfield Sailing Club, Theale Lakes
If you have any queries regarding the HAF programme, please call our HAF Coordinator Hannah Lee on 01635 519084.
In addition to this programme, families who are eligible for Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85 per cent of their childcare costs, dependent on the club attended. To find out more, please visit the 'Help paying for childcare' page on the GOV.UK website.
West Berkshire Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to provide the HAF programme. The free places are funded by the Department for Education.
You can find more information on the national HAF programme on the GOV.UK website, here. You can also read more about the programme on the government's Education Hub blog, here.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme - Summer edition video
Parks and Open Spaces
Click here for details of parks and open spaces in West Berkshire