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Information Pages
facilities & services
If you need to borrow toys or books to while away the hours, let the kids go sport crazy or find someone who might help you understand your teenager, then take a look below for everything you need to know about family-friendly Harpenden. You ca... Read more
School admissions and appeals
Last reviewed: March 2024
The schools’ admissions process can be pretty daunting, especially if you are applying for the first time. You want to make sure that you have fully researched all the options and are making an informed decision... Read more
Open Days
Below you will find details of local nursery, primary, secondary, sixth form and independent school open days over the coming months. These are listed in alphabetical order. If you have missed any of the open days or in cases where no pub... Read more
Articles
Mum's guide to... surviving the winter
style. If you can feel your children starting to climb the walls, why not put on an exercise or yoga DVD and do a workout together! Not only will it burn off some of their pent up energy, you’ll also be burning off some calories at ... Read more
Enjoy the great outdoors this summer... without breaking the bank
Harpenden has a wealth of activities available in the town and nearby, many of them are free which will bring a smile to any parent's face as the summer holidays are just around the corner. With at least six weeks to fill with fun-packed ideas we tho... Read more
Top tips for perfect pancakes from Theo Michaels
style pancakes; once you’ve mixed in your baking powder don’t stir as it will knock out the air bubbles resulting in a flatter pancake.Tip 2: Flipping ‘eck..Flipping pancakes is synonymous with the whole making pancakes experience &... Read more
Summer in (and around) Harpenden - Family events not to miss!
We’re incredibly lucky to have so many great local family events laid on for us each year. So, here’s our guide to enjoying a fun and vibrant summer …
Harpenden Carnival has been a highlight in the Harpenden summer calenda... Read more
Wardown House is a step back in time using fantastic futuristic tools
style, which the children found exhilarating. You could digitally read newspapers from the 1800s – a glimpse into the world our great-great-grandparents would have known.
As a musician I was very excited to see an advert from a local newspap... Read more
Meet James Berry, Headteacher at The Lea Primary School
style in 3 words and we also asked some of the staff. We couldn’t decide which were our favourite 3 so we’re going with: approachable, driven, enthusiastic, resourceful, collaborative and fiercely competitive with himself to make things h... Read more
Delicious dining in sumptuous surroundings at The Old Cock Inn
style. Head in through the pub and see the interior designer’s sumptuous ideas of colour, comfort and craftiness! I love to see chefs at work through an open kitchen, no longer workers hidden away but people allowed to show off their skill.&nbs... Read more
Making the Transition to Secondary School: Practical Tips for Parents
style with the popper on the front) to hold workbooks, textbooks and loose sheets for each subject can help. Encourage them to label each folder with the subject name and when they pack their bag they just pick up the right folder. Any homework can b... Read more
Activities to keep kids busy at home
styles to try them out. Which aeroplanes fly furthest? Test the paper boats in the bath or sink and try racing them.
29. Have a board game marathon! Or why not play remotely with friends and family - a great way to invo... Read more
Lose Yourself in a Book
Thursday 23rd April is World Book Night (as well as St George’s Day!) which is like World Book Day but for everyone, and there’s no need to rush around trying to gather together bits and pieces for a costume of your favourite character! I... Read more
On the hunt around Harpenden
Last week we had a go at the Harpenden Digital Treasure Hunt. If you haven’t heard about this it’s a clue-based trail around Harpenden using your smartphone. It was kindly set up by local resident Peter Boswell and currently feature... Read more
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle in Harpenden
For details of the regular kerbside recycling collection (plastic, bottles, card, green waste & food waste) from St Albans District Council see their website. You can also leave small electricals, household batteries and old textiles i... Read more
New group for parents & carers from St Albans Family Centre Service
St Albans Family Centre Service have a NEW group for parents and carers!
'Me Time' is a safe and supportive session, in which you can talk to others, meet new people and build social networks, helping you to feel connected to others during these cha... Read more
Congratulations to the 2021 Awards Lockdown Lifesavers
Styles with Captain TortueFor running weekly online events showcasing her clothes and different ways to style outfits."A great event to look forward to in the weeks of lockdown."" At a time when the shops were closed this made buying clothes a highly... Read more
Where to Keep Cool in a Summer Heatwave!
First published July 2021
With temperatures rising you may be wondering where you can go in and around Harpenden to cool off? Here’s some ideas. Please take appropriate care and judgement around natural waterways as the situation can var... Read more
Where the magic happens: Warner Bros Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter
You’ve no doubt heard of Warner Bros Studio Tour - The Making of Harry Potter. If not, where have you been? Located only 30 minutes away at Leavesden this is a great day out whether you’re a diehard fan (aka a Potterhead) like my son or j... Read more
Learning to Drive Essentials - Instructors, Theory Test and Booking a Practical Test
(First published March 2022, updated October 2023)
If you have a young person about to embark on the joy of learning to drive, you’ll want to take a look at our listings for local Driving Instructors. You may need to try a number of diff... Read more
Expansion of James Marshall Foundation
It was 300 years ago that local land owner James Marshall left a remarkable gift, creating a charity that would support young people to achieve long term employment. That charity, James Marshall Foundation (JMF), continues today to award grants... Read more
Free Classes and Services for Ukrainian Refugees
For those of you hosting Ukrainians we thought it may be helpful to set out which children’s activity providers have specifically offered to provide free classes and/or services to your young guests. We have also set out which other busin... Read more
Mum's guide to Harpenden is 10 years old!
We can hardly believe it! 10 years ago today we first launched the Mum's guide to Harpenden website!
In that time we've...
Gone from having a few hundred visits per month to 8,000 - 10,000 visits per month!
Given the site 3 makeovers.
Bee... Read more
Sign up to our Quarterly Newsletter - The Word About Town
If you like to keep on top of all the Harpenden happenings for your children and family then you are in the right place! But if you don't have time to visit the website regularly, or to read all our social media posts, perhaps you're not on social ... Read more
Wardown Adventure Golf
We were invited along to Wardown Adventure Golf in Wardown Park, Luton for a round of mini golf. We had a lovely day for it and enjoyed our 18 holes of varying difficulties - some of which are harder than they look, but fun for everyone.
I ... Read more
Events
May Day Merriment
Chiltern Open Air Museum
Sun 5th May 2024 - Mon 6th May 2024
10am to 5pm
Experience Elizabethan May Day merriment with dancing, swordplay, gunpowder and more!
During Tudor times, May Day continued to be celebrated as an important festival, rooted in ancient beliefs and traditions. The arrival of May marked the end of winter and the beginning of spring, symbolizing the renewal of life and the return of warmth and sunlight. This transition from the harsh, cold months to a season of growth and fertility was eagerly anticipated and celebrated.
May Day was a time to rejoice and make merry, as people welcomed the arrival of spring and the promise of a bountiful year ahead. It was a time to gather and feast, with communities coming together for large meals and communal celebrations. Food and drink were abundant, and people indulged in merrymaking... Read more
Find out more or book:
coam.org.uk
Ayot St Lawrence Art Show 2024
Palladian Church
Sat 15th June 2024 - Sun 16th June 2024
10am-5pm
The 49th Ayot St Lawrence Art Show will be held on the weekend of 15-16 June 2024, with our exclusive Preview Evening on Friday 14th June. Please note: the Show will no longer run on the Monday.
The success of the Show is ultimately down to the quality of the artwork. We have a fantastic range of artists, many of whom exhibit with us every year in a variety of styles and media including oil, watercolour and acrylic. Each year we keep the Show fresh by inviting new artists to exhibit with us. In addition to the framed art available for sale, there are browsers full of excellent unframed art, plus a variety of art-based greetings cards designed by the artists.
The Art Show is held in the beautiful Grade I listed Palladian Church... Read more
Find out more:
www.ayotartshow.co.uk
Listings
Children's activity clubs & classes
Goalkeeper Warz
Age: 6 - 16
Goalkeeper Warz for the Next Generation of Goalkeepers.
It was Paul's desire to coach the next generation of goalkeepers that lead him to set up his own goalkeeper schools in 2014 through the Just4Keepers franchise.
Paul is now FA level 2 qualified and lead goalkeeper coach for Bedfordshire FA. He is a member of the FA licensed coaches club and is CRB/DBS checked (DBS... Read more
Contact details:
www.goalkeeperwarz.co.uk
07850 803690
Location:
Roundwood Park School, Roundwood Park, Harpenden, AL5 3AEWheathampstead Astro, Wheathampstead, AL4 8AY
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Junior Gym at Harpenden Leisure Centre
Age: 11 - 15
Junior Gym at Harpenden Leisure Centre is available for ages 11-15. These gym and studio-based sessions help to improve general fitness and to promote healthy lifestyles.
We offer free inductions for members as well as non-members. These inductions are compulsory for all Juniors. Juniors aged 11-15 are not able to use the free weights, unless supervised... Read more
Contact details:
www.everyoneactive.com
email via their website
01582 767722
Location:
Harpenden Leisure Centre, Leyton Road, Rothamsted Park, Harpenden, AL5 2HULittle City
Age: 0 - 6
Welcome to Little City! We are an entirely mobile role play City for the under 6's to explore and enjoy. Utilising our bespoke backdrops and specially selected high-quality toys and equipment, your child can fully immerse themselves in their own world and welcome you in too!
Our toddlers and pre-schoolers are our biggest observers: they have watched us as adults in the supermarket,... Read more
Contact details:
Location:
Harpenden Methodist Church, High Street, Harpenden, AL5 2RUPark Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden, AL5 2LX
Mead Hall, East Lane, Wheathampstead, AL4 8BP
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SW-Dance
Age: 5 - 17
SW Dance Academy offers classes in street, freestyle and lyrical dance. The classes provide training which focuses on developing technique, timing, style and performance and are available for dancers age five years plus.
All of our classes strive to have a fun, welcoming and supportive atmosphere that children love to attend.... Read more
Contact details:
www.swdanceacademy.co.uk
07771801557
Location:
Park Hall, Leyton Road, Harpenden, AL5 2LXSession Times:
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The Little Performers
Age: 6 - 11
Learn to dance with The Little Performers. The Little Performers teach dance to children of all ages. We love dancing and we think you will too! Street Dance incorporates a mixture of styles such as locking, popping, breaking, Waacking and many more. This style is fun, energetic and is the most upcoming style to learn at the moment. Come and learn some of the latest moves with The Little Performers!
Contact details:
www.thelittleperformers.co.uk
07779 095923
Location:
Roundwood Park School, Roundwood Park, Harpenden, AL5 3AESession Times:
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We Train - TEENZ programme
Age: 12 - 15
Our 45mins 'TEENZ' sessions offer young human's the opportunity to experiment with, and improve, their physical capability when they are most coachable. Sessions provide basic fitness, foundational strength, functional movement, injury prevention but above all else fun, safe, effective and influential coaching that promotes long term healthy lifestyles - relevant to their... Read more
Contact details:
Location:
Unit 2, Southdown Industrial Estate, Harpenden, AL5 1DZSession Times:
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Dynamic Badminton
Age: 5 - Adult
I am a professional badminton coach within Hertfordshire/London coaching all ranges from young to old.
My coaching style is different to others, enhancing maximum performance out of a player. This means I work with bio mechanics, focusing my attention more on how the arm works to produce maximum power in your shots.
​I coach a range... Read more
Contact details:
www.dynamicbadminton.co.uk
email via their website
07517166367
Location:
King's Langley Secondary School, Love Lane, King's Langley, WD4 9HNQueen's School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, WD23 2TY
Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth, WD3 4HF
Haberdashers' Aske's School for Girls, Aldenham Road, Elstree, Radlett, WD6 3BT
Westfield Community Sports Centre, Tolpits Lane, Watford, WD18 6NS
Chiltern Academy, Gipsy Lane, Luton, LU1 3GF
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Junior Ski Lessons at The Snow Centre
Age: 4 - 16
We offer a range of junior ski lessons from complete beginner (Level 1) right through to SnowStars Academy Coaching Club and Freestyle Coaching. You can choose whether you want your junior to join others in Group Lessons or have a Private 1:1 Lesson, it's up to you! Lesson durations vary. Skis, boots, poles, helmets and lift passes are included in all our Lessons.
Contact details:
www.thesnowcentre.com
email via their website
0344 770 7227
Location:
St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9NHJunior Snowboard Lessons at The Snow Centre
Age: 7 - 16
We offer a range of junior snowboard lessons from complete beginner (Level 1) right through to Ignite Snowboard Coaching Club and Freestyle Coaching. You can choose whether you want your junior to join others in Group Lessons or have a Private 1:1 Lesson, it's up to you! Lesson durations vary. Snowboards, boots, helmets and lift passes are included in all our Lessons.
Contact details:
www.thesnowcentre.com
email via their website
0344 770 7227
Location:
St Albans Hill, Hemel Hempstead, HP3 9NHLGBTQ+ Project
Age: 13 - 17
The Services for Young People Happy As I Am LGBT+ Project is space for you to discuss and get support with LGBT+ issues. It's a confidential project that is safe, secure and run by Services for Young People's youth workers who have specific training and experience with LGBT+ issues, know about your rights, positive sexual health choices, lifestyles and jargon used in the LGBT+ community. Wednesdays 5-7pm. For LGBTQ young people aged 13-17. Please contact us for details. Phone or email for details.
Contact details:
www.servicesforyoungpeople.org
01442 454060
Location:
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