EA participants. Photo courtesy of the BMM. This autumn, the British Motor Museum will partner with Playground Games to host two exciting STEM Careers Days for KS2 students. Held on 13 & 14 October, the days will be packed with hands-on activities, interactive tours, and inspirational talks. These events will give students the chance to explore real-world STEM skills and discover how their interests and school studies could lead to future careers. Each day runs from 9:30am to

The Retro Truck Show held at the weekend. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum has even more key motoring shows coming up this Autumn. The Museum has already hosted a packed calendar of events throughout the summer months including last weekend's Retro Truck Show on 5 & 6 September. Still to come are the MX-5 Owners Club National Rally on 13 September, DR1VR Show on 20 September, Rustival on 26 September, Jaguars at Gaydon on 27 September, Porsche Boxster 30t

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry announces what’s coming up this Autumn/Winter 2026/27 season. Preview Astronaut Tim Peake. Photo courtesy of Warwick Arts Centre. There’s monstrous tales, award-winning theatre, electrifying dance and some of the brightest visual art stars set for Warwick Arts Centre’s Autumn/Winter 2026-2027 Season. The UK’s most significant exhibition of contemporary art, British Art Show 10, opens in Coventry on 2 October 2026 (until 10 Jan 2027), with Warwi

Members of UK Garrison and Rebel Legion. Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. It was fun and games all the way at MCM Comic Con held at the Birmingham NEC recently. Around 8,000 visitors attended many dressed as their favourite character. Also, with 110 exhibitors it was the ideal shopping opportunity – the place to buy unique gifts or keepsakes. Clothing, steampunk, hats, T-shirts, replica fantasy and sci-fi weapons and accessories, unique ornaments, original artwork, jewel

Helpful staff. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum has been awarded the accreditation of VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction following its recent assessment. The Museum achieved an impressive score of 91%, the second year in a row that it has been in the top 10%. The completely objective assessment looks at a number of key areas that are important to any tourist, from pre-arrival communications and first impressions, to cleanliness and catering, wi

Andrew Margerison in A Christmas Carol. Photo by Ben Guest. The Bridge House Theatre, Warwick present three plays around Christmastime. A Christmas Carol: Being a Ghost Story of Christmas on Saturday 28 November, Wind in the Willows on Friday 18 December and The Twelve Days of Christmas on Monday 21 December. Preview by Charles Essex If someone were to say there were only 140 shopping days to Christmas there would probably be a collective groan, as most people would prefer t

Crybabies haunt Greyfriars Kirkyard. Photo credit DuncanMcGlynn. Francesca Moody Productions in association with Plosive Live present Crybabies: The Scaring, directed by Jon Brittain. Premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Pleasance Two. Preview Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer nominees Crybabies (Michael Clarke, James Gault, Ed Jones) join forces with Olivier Award-winning Fleabag and Baby Reindeer producers Francesca Moody Productions and director Jon Brittain

Barry Potter (left) with his family team at a recent toy fair at the NEC. Photo Rob Tysall Pro Photography. Being interested in toys isn’t just for kids! Adults of all ages are enjoying the hobby of collecting toys of all types. For some its model trains, others go for diecasts such as Dinky, Corgi and the many other models and manufacturers. For some it’s the distant past when tin plate was all you could buy; or it might be dolls and teddies, and the ever-popular TV, film an

Arts Insight Theatre Group present Pipe Dream, a jukebox musical, at Rother Street Arts House, Stratford-upon-Avon from Thursday 30 July to Saturday 1 August, 3 matinee and 3 evening shows. Preview Neon lights, nostalgic beats, and a legendary tune gone rogue. In this reimagining of The Pied Piper, five friends are forced to navigate a new world swept up in greed, corruption, and image. Set in a British town in the late 1980s, the children begin to notice something strange:

The BAFTA Award-Winning CBeebies Children’s TV Show In the Night Garden Live is coming to the Belgrade Theatre on Friday 31 July – Saturday 1 August 2026. Preview Celebrating its 17th Birthday, the smash-hit In the Night Garden Live will be back on stage in 2026, with a seventh major tour of UK theatres, including Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre. Take a spectacular journey into the magical world of In the Night Garden and experience the UK’s favourite family show with all the

3m long tapestry traces the river’s path. Photo courtesy of Stan's Cafe. Midlands-based theatre company Stan’s Cafe have announced the dates for their latest production, River Tours: The Avon - with performances across Worcestershire, Warwickshire and Birmingham (1-16 Aug 2026), including a visit to the Royal Shakespeare Company, in Stratford-upon-Avon. The poetic production floats visitors through centuries of history, folklore and wildlife, from the River Avon’s source in N

Family with Jim. Photo courtesy of the BMM. Summer has officially arrived at the British Motor Museum with a wealth of family activities, running from 17 July – 2 September, focused on two incredible feature exhibitions, both packed with fascinating cars and stories. First there’s Forza Horizon 6: The Experience, where visitors can discover a fantastic line-up of cars from the game, and get behind the wheel of a state-of-the-art racing simulator to test their mettle in the di

The cast. Photo credit The RSC. Touring to schools In Peterborough, Newquay, Bradford, Nottingham & Blackpool from 21 September 2026. The production will conclude its run in The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon from Thursday 5 – Saturday 28 November 2026. The RSC, in partnership with KPPL Productions, have announced further casting for the 2026 touring production of Julius Caesar directed by Phyllida Lloyd, a revitalisation of the Donmar Warehouse production that began its jo

Sock forest. Photo credit Mall Galleries. A magical, one-of-a-kind, immersive exhibition by Huaicun Zhang, from Thursday 23 July – Saturday 15 August 2026: 10am – 5pm, Mall Galleries, London. Admission £10 (Free for under 5s) – all profits going to children’s charity Pencil Tree CIO. Preview China’s award-winning children’s author and artist transforms Mall Galleries into a ‘living picture book,’ telling the story of childhood, migration and home. Visualisation of ‘Little

Panto Bollywood style. Photo courtesy of Rich Lakos. Rifco Theatre present Surinderella by Pravesh Kumar at The Belgrade Theatre, Coventry, from 16 – 19 July. Review by Annette Kinsella. Unusual events have long been regarded as indicators that the universe is clearing its throat in preparation for a dramatic announcement. In 1066, terrified Saxons looked to the skies as Halley’s Comet blazed across the heavens - a celestial warning, apparently, that something enormous and de

Morris Dancers. John Wright Photography. Warwick Folk Festival is delighted to announce that it has been awarded Bronze from the Live Events Access Charter. The Charter is a framework to support and encourage live event organisations to progress their inclusive practices for diverse disabled people across all areas of their business. The award recognises the festival’s commitment to making it as accessible and inclusive as possible. It follows a tough assessment of its access

Ghost busters! Photo by Rob Tysall Pro Photography. MCM Comic Con at the Birmingham NEC from 7 – 9 August 2026. Preview It’s almost time for the MCM Comic Con event at the Birmingham NEC! It’s the place to be if you enjoy TV, films, gaming, Manga, all things nerdy and of course cosplay! Held over three days, it’s always a fabulously fun show where you get to dress up as your favourite character - or enjoy the impressive costumes worn by others. Check out the line-up of cele

Last year's Floral butterfly, this years will be planted differently. Photo courtesy of the Stratford Butterfly Farm. This summer, visitors can enjoy a tropical adventure at Stratford-upon-Avon Butterfly Farm and take advantage of great savings for the whole family. As part of the Government’s Summer Saver initiative, the Butterfly Farm is reducing VAT from 20% to 5% on admission tickets, helping visitors make the most of their summer days out. This is available for visits un

Looking down into the workshop. Photo courtesy of the BMM. The British Motor Museum is ready to welcome families this summer with £1 child tickets for visits between 25 June and 1 September. The Chancellor recently announced the UK government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme, which will temporarily reduce VAT on eligible family activities from when schools finish for the summer in Scotland (25 June) until children return to classrooms in England, Wales and Northern Irel

Local writers taking part in Cov Lit Fest. A new community literary festival is taking place in Coventry city centre from 25-27 June 2026 with fun and fascinating book-related activities for all ages in venues across Coventry City Centre, with a strong focus on local authors. The collage above shows local writers: l- r Top row: Pippa Virdee, Eleanor Nesbitt, Ann Evans Middle row: Nicky Downes, Danny Scott, Margaret Mather Bottom row: Anna Stephens, Andrea Mbarushimana and Di

Never a dull moment. Photo courtesy of Brainiac. Brainiac Live at The Belgrade Theatre, 20 June 2026. Review by Jan Malatesta The Belgrade once again, welcomed Brainiac Live, based on the well-known TV show, for a momentous and awe-inspiring science spectacular. The show was energetic and fast-paced, with enthusiastic audience participation, ear-splitting sound effects, and plenty of loud explosive bangs. Our high-spirited presenters – Ned, Taz, Raz, and Dave the Handyman –