6th Feb 2025
Fair to say Summer 2023 hasn’t been a memorable one. With weeks of rain it won’t be troubling anyone’s top 10 list. On the plus side, we don’t see wet summers often and that makes it highly likely Linmere park will be basking in a lot more sunshine next year.
That said, let’s be half-glass full on this. There are still plenty of warm days left in the tank this year, and Autumn around Linmere is glorious. There’s lots to get excited about, including the 4 events and destinations to see out the summer. All reasonably local, and ideal for younger families.
Enjoy your bank holiday weekend and look forward to sharing ideas for Autumn next month.
01 Woburn Sands Music & Food Festival
If you’re looking for a music and food festival, with free access, raising money for local charities, then this is ideal. Whilst the teenagers are moshing to the Killers at Reading Festival, you’ll be relaxing to over 100 music acts and food stalls, hosted at several venues, around the main festival ground at Woburn Sands.
Alongside the acts, you’ll find a good choice of food on offer, from artisan burgers, Pan-Asian cuisine, woodfired pizzas and our friends from Really Awesome Coffee to stay warm or cool… whatever the weather’s doing. It’s all free and only 18 mins drive from Linmere.
For more details, use the link here.
The Festival Ground is located close to Woburn Sands Station, Milton Keynes MK17 8SG, just off the A5, 12 miles / 18 minutes’ drive from Linmere.
02 ZSL Whipsnade Relaxed Sessions
Zoos are bustling places, especially one as popular as ZSL Whipsnade, and for some, that can be a triggering experience. The last Sunday of every month, Whipsnade opens its doors at 9am for visitors with specific needs to enjoy the Zoo at their own pace, with fewer crowds.
Well done to ZSL Whipsnade for recognising that support and accessibility comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s such a good idea, we thought it would be worth sharing here.
Normal admission charges apply, for more details on Sunday Relaxed Sessions, use the link here.
Whipsnade is just 6 miles / 12 mins drive from Linmere.
03 Houghton Hall Park – Wind in the Willows Live – Tuesday 29 August
We’ll be covering Houghton Hall Park more across the Autumn, and this provides a perfect introduction for younger families to get to know a popular venue, literally, on our doorstep.
Presented in the outdoor theatre, you’ll be joining Mr Toad, Mole, Ratty & Badger, introducing children to one of the country’s most beloved tales. There are 2 performances on the day, 11am and 1:30pm, for children aged 2 years and over.
Tickets are great value, at just £5 per child, which includes entry into a Peter Rabbit trail around the kitchen gardens. If the weather holds up, this is a must for the last week of the summer holidays.
Tickets need to be booked in advance – using the link here.
Houghton Hall Park, Park Road North, Houghton Regis, Dunstable, LU5 5FU
Just 1.4 miles / 5 mins drive from Linmere
04 Forest Family Fun Day – Forest of Marston Vale – Sunday 02 September
We’ve covered Marston Vale previously and how vast this natural regeneration project is, just a few miles from Linmere. Their annual Family Fun Day is ideal for younger families, and amazing value too.
Offering a plentiful choice of activities, including a climbing wall for those who joined us at the Summer Picnic, to advance those skills. This will be joined by an obstacle course, nature trail, archery, helter skelter, inflatable slide, bungee trampolines and more besides, including guest appearances from TV’s Bluey & Bingo!
At just £2 child entry pre-booked, or £3.50 on the day (adults get in for less) this is outstanding value, and only 24 mins drive from Linmere. An absolute must to see out one of the last summer weekends!
For more information, use the link here.
The Forest Centre and Millennium Country Park, Station Road, Marston Mortaine, MK43 0PR. The visitor centre sits north-east of Linmere, close to M1 jct 13, 15 miles / 24 minutes’ drive from Linmere.
Linmere is designed to be a place for communities that embraces the natural environment, and where all generations can enjoy a great quality of life. This exciting new collection of leafy and walkable neighbourhoods, situated north of Houghton Regis Bedfordshire, located close to M1 Junction 11a. Nestled into verdant surroundings, its first homes completed and inhabited in 2021. The Land Trust will maintain and preserve these spaces on behalf of Houghton Regis Management Company.
