Category: Things To Do

Brooklands to celebrate centenary of first Grand Prix

Britain’s very first Grand Prix was staged at Brooklands, the birthplace of British motorsport, in 1926. Now, celebrating this year’s centenary in spectacular style, the award-winning Brooklands Museum is staging a very special event on Saturday 8 August – 100 years to the day after the original race was held.

Marking this milestone in British motor racing history, an amazing gathering of 100 Grand Prix cars will be on show at Brooklands, ranging from the very early pioneers to the high-tech Formula 1 machines of today.

Adding to the excitement, many of the earlier machines will be revving up on sections of the original banked oval circuit, while more recent racers will join them in action on the adjoining test track at Mercedes-Benz World – itself located within the historic 2.75-mile speedway.

“It’s going to be a wonderful occasion and a very apt celebration to mark the 100 years of Grand Prix racing in Great Britain ,” said Alex Patterson, Chief Executive of Brooklands Museum. “The Brooklands race in 1926 was fraught with danger and bravery, laying the foundation for Britain’s successful motorsport industry. Paying tribute to that watershed moment in time, this summer’s very special day will feature what’s certainly one of the biggest and most comprehensive collections of Grand Prix cars ever seen and, with many of those performing, it’s going to be a truly fitting tribute.”

Britain hosts its first Grand Prix in 1926
Brooklands was built in the Surrey countryside and was the brainchild of Hugh and Ethel Fortescue Locke King. When it opened in 1907, it was the world’s first purpose-built, banked motor racing circuit. With road racing banned on the British mainland, it quickly became the country’s motorsport capital, as well as home to equally intrepid early aviators.

It was therefore the natural venue for the Royal Automobile Club to stage Britain’s very first official Grand Prix. A one-off circuit layout was prepared using large sections of the banked outer oval track, with temporary earthwork chicanes on the finishing straight adding to the challenge.

On Saturday 7 August 1926, nine Grand Prix cars lined up before a vast crowd. Four hours later, victory went to the Delage 15-S-8 driven by French aces Louis Wagner and Robert Sénéchal, with Malcolm Campbell upholding local honour by finishing second in his Bugatti 39A. While many of the marques competing that day are no longer at the pinnacle of the sport, Aston Martin ­– a participant in 1926 – is very much on today’s Formula 1 grid.

Brooklands held a second Royal Automobile Club Grand Prix the following summer – again won by the then state-of-the-art Delage – and two further unofficial Grands Prix races were staged at Donington Park in the late thirties.

With the outbreak of war in Europe, Brooklands was given over to aircraft production. Hawker and Vickers expanded their established factories, building over the circuit’s concrete straights and assembling more than 18,000 Hurricane fighters, Wellington bombers and other military aircraft before Armistice was declared in 1945.

Brookland’s racing legacy
With Brooklands no longer available, motor racing quickly relocated to the runways and perimeter roads of many decommissioned World War II airfields. The former RAF base at Silverstone held the country’s first post-war Grand Prix in 1948 and, two years later, had the honour of hosting the very first points-scoring Formula 1 race. Thereafter, the British Grand Prix was also organised at Aintree and Brands Hatch before Silverstone became a permanent fixture on the World Championship calendar in 1987.

Although Brooklands fell dormant, its legacy endured. Significant sections of the circuit have been carefully preserved by the Brooklands Museum Trust, and its influence shaped Britain’s post-war motorsport landscape. Teams including Connaught, Cooper, Brabham and Tyrrell established themselves nearby in Surrey, while reigning World Champion McLaren is still based just a few miles away in Woking.

“Brooklands remains close to the hearts of motorsport fans everywhere and this is a great moment for the Museum to honour the past but importantly to look forward to the next 100 years of innovation,” said Patterson. “We are thrilled to be honouring the venue’s unique heritage with this summer’s centenary celebration. Alongside this remarkable array of cars, we will be inviting many Formula 1 drivers who have competed in British Grands Prix to join us for what promises to be a truly memorable and unmissable event.”

Tickets are now available via the official BrooklandsMuseum.com website. Adult admission is priced at £39.95 in advance, with tickets for accompanied children aged 4 to 17 (under 4s are free) available at £19.95. Members will be able to purchase tickets to an exclusive VIP Preview evening on the Friday and offered Saturday admission for £19.95 (child £9.95) – a special price that includes an official Show Guide.

Early booking is strongly advised for what is expected to be a truly outstanding occasion.

Brooklands to celebrate centenary of Britain's very first Grand Prix

Arts Alive Arts Festival Now On!

Mole Valley’s Arts Alive festival is underway! Throughout October, Mole Valley is home to 135 artistic and cultural events for people to come and experience. Nearly half of these events will be either free, or under £5 to attend. More good news is that you won’t need to wait until October to get started! Arts Alive kicked off with two big launch events in Dorking and Leatherhead that were free to attend.

You can now browse and book sessions you would like to join via the Arts Alive website here. There are plenty of activities for families as well as evening events, and there’s truly something for everyone whether you’re looking to spectate or perhaps try your hand at something artistic! We want everyone to feel empowered to try something new at Arts Alive this year and find a passion that might grow into an exciting new hobby for years to come! Some interesting highlights for this year include:

      • Come and Sing St John’s Passion at St Martin’s Church with Leith Hill Music Festival – 11 Oct
      • The Magic of Bees – Rituals Workshop with The Wild Bee Company – 25 Oct
      • Come and Try Acro, Ballet, Musical Theatre or Tap with Lisa Allen Dance & Arts (LADA) – 4 Oct
      • A number of fascinating talks and events at the newly renovated Pippbrook House including a wine glass painting class and a talk on the work of Agatha Christie.

Helping to promote this year’s festival is Magic Radio presenter, as well as Surrey local, Jack Pepper! One of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, national radio broadcaster and featured in HM the King’s “35 under 35” list, Jack can now add “2025 Patron of Arts Alive” to his list of accolades, joining such luminaries as Dame Judi Dench, Lorraine Kelly and Gyles Brandreth.

cllr Nick WrightMVDC’s Cabinet Member for Leisure & Community Assets Cllr Nick Wright said: “It’s great to see Arts Alive return in 2025 with a huge variety of cultural activities for people to experience. Supported by Mole Valley District Council, the Arts Alive Festival committee has worked hard to organise a packed itinerary of events for everyone in Mole Valley to enjoy. Whether you’re building on existing interests, knowledge or skills, or would like to experience something new, I highly encourage you to take a look at the programme online and book yourself a place!”

Arts alive now on

Hobble’ween Returns for Spooktacular Half-Term Fun

This October half-term, the award-winning farm, zoo and adventure park Hobbledown will be transformed into a world of magical mischief, spooky surprises and family fun as Hobble’ween returns from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November 2025. Families can look forward to a packed programme of immersive activities, live entertainment , hair-raising fun – all included with standard admission.

A Frightfully Fun Line-Up

From bug eating and monster discos to creepy crawlies and mischievous skibblers, Hobble’ween is packed with frightfully good fun for families seeking memorable moments together:

  • • Hobble’ween Storytime – Gather round for enchanting tales from the Hobblers’ world.
  • • Skibbler School – Join the prank-loving Skibblers and master their mischievous ways, from silly walks to cackling laughs.

     

  • • Monster’s Ball – A family-friendly party where fancy dress is strongly encouraged and monster moves are a must.

     

  • • Bug Brunch – Daredevils can sample real dried bugs and gain the title of Bug Champion.

     

  • • Hobble’ween Trail – Explore the park, hunt for hidden clues and reveal the secret word to claim a sweet prize.

     

  • • Skibbler Passport – Collect stickers throughout your visit and trade in your completed passport for a sweet treat – no tricks, just treats.

Add-on Adventure: Trick or Treat Maze Challenge
For just £6 per child, little explorers can brave the Trick or Treat Maze Challenge, held daily at 10:30am to 11:30am and 3:00pm to 4:00pm. Work with the Hobblers to solve the mystery and claim your treats.

Hobbledown Hobble’ween is open from 25th October to 2nd November 2025. Tickets start from £17.50pp when booked in advance online. For more information and to book, visit: https://www.hobbledown.com/epsom/whats-on/hobbleween-at-hobbledown/.

 

2 Theme Parks For The Price of 1

Running till the 17th August, the Twice the Fun offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four of UK’s top theme parks including Alton Towers Resort, LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Chessington World of Adventures Resort, and Thorpe Park.

Families can mix and match their visits across these parks or visit the same one twice, with the flexibility to redeem their second visit at any point before 30th September 2025.

Schools out for the summer! But for many parents that means a full six weeks of keeping the kids entertained which can be a daunting prospect. Fear not, Merlin is here to lend a helping hand in the form of its new money saving offer giving guests the chance to enjoy two of the UK’s top theme parks, for the price of one which means double the fun.

Running till the 17th August, the offer allows guests to plan two unforgettable days out for the price of a single ticket at one of four UK’s biggest and best-loved theme parks including the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Alton Towers Resort, Chessington World of Adventures and Thorpe Park.

Whether you’re building memories brick by brick, roaring into action, or flipping out on record-breaking coasters, there’s a world of fun waiting, and with four parks to choose from, families can mix, match, or double down on their favourite.

Guests can simply purchase their Twice the Fun tickets online at the park’s website to unlock free entry to a second day out. And the best part?  Families can extend the summer fun with the flexibility of visiting the second theme park until 30th September.

For the thrill seekers, a stop at Alton Towers Resort is a must. From heart-racing coasters to joy-filled moments that become lifelong memories, there’s no feeling like it! Dive into epic adventures, explore fantastical worlds, take on the world’s first 14-loop rollercoaster, and brave Toxicator – the brand-new ride for 2025 at Alton Towers Resort. Find out more at  https://www.altontowers.com/ . 

Can’t get enough? Head to Thorpe Park, the ultimate destination for high-adrenaline fun. Brave the Big Six coasters, including Hyperia – the UK’s tallest and fastest rollercoaster – or cool off on epic water rides like Tidal Wave, with its jaw-dropping splash! It’s the perfect spot for thrill seekers. See https://www.thorpepark.com/ for details.

Dive into unmissable family fun at Chessington World of Adventures with wild rides for all ages and come face-to-face with over 1,000 majestic animals across Chessington Zoo & SEA LIFE Aquarium. Race through the Jumanji jungle on Mandrill Mayhem and step into the pages of your favourite storybook with The Gruffalo River Ride Adventure, before staring wide-eyed at a tower of Rothschild’s giraffe. Head to https://www.chessington.com/ to find out more.

There’s no better way to cool off this summer than the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort where families can splash about at Drench Towers or slide into fun at Splash Safari. The thrill seekers can experience the world’s first LEGO® duelling rollercoaster, Minifigure Speedway, a high-energy race full of twists and turns. Whether you’re a high-flyer, wave rider, or master builder-in-the-making, there’s something awesome for every adventurer. Visit https://www.legoland.co.uk/ for more details.

“We know how much families value quality time together over the summer, and Twice the Fun is our way of making those magical moments go even further,” said Sabrina de Carvalho – Senior Vice President, Managing Director, UK at Merlin Entertainments. “With two visits for the price of one, it’s double the fun, double the laughs, packed with thrills, chills and smiles for miles!”

Whether you want to discover somewhere new or revisit your favourite theme park again, this is the ultimate summer deal to enjoy two days of thrills for the price of one.

So why wait? Pack your bags and get ready for the ultimate ride of your life!

To book your ticket and get a second visit to another theme park for free, visit one of the following sites the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, Thorpe Park, Alton Towers Resort or Chessington World of Adventures. 

 

New Provider to Manage Rainbow Leisure Centre

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council appoints new provider to manage leisure services at Rainbow Leisure Centre from 1 October 2025

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is pleased to announce that Places Leisure has been appointed as the new operator of the Rainbow Leisure Centre. The contract will run from 1 October 2025 for 10 years with an option to extend for a further five years and was approved by both the council’s Community & Wellbeing and Strategy & Resources committees at special meetings held on 17 June 2025.

Residents will continue to receive high-quality leisure, health and wellbeing services and this council-owned leisure centre will continue to be financially sustainable.

Places Leisure, part of the PfP Group the UK’s Leading Social Enterprise, will invest its own capital into the leisure centre upgrading the gym, studios, swimming changing rooms and more.

They will also offer a wider range of health and wellbeing-related activities, delivered both inside and outside of the leisure centre, including:

    • An Active Communities programme, including exercise referrals for falls prevention, cardiac rehab and weight management; community wellbeing walks, as well as programmes such as ‘move through menopause’ and Health MOTs, which will support local people in an inclusive way and enable the community to thrive.
    • New leisure centre programmes targeted at under 16s and the elderly: including LES Mills exercises classes and Saturday Night Project activities for the under 16s and new EGYM and walking sports to help older adults be more physically active.
    • Social value initiatives: such as work placement opportunities including for unemployed and disabled people; leisure industry careers advice and curriculum support; and supporting the local economy by keeping spending within the local supply chain.

Places Leisure will continue to invest in the environmental sustainability of the centre, this will be overseen by an environmental coordinator.

cllr Neil Dallen Epsom & EwellCouncillor Neil Dallen, Chair of the Strategy & Resources Committee said:

“The Rainbow Leisure Centre is a key community facility due, in no small part, to the great work of Greenwich Leisure Limited, and we would like to convey our deep thanks for their hard work and efforts in operating the leisure centre over the last 22 years.

“As this is a significant contractual arrangement for the council, the operator of the centre is a key strategic partner. It was therefore important to us that for the foreseeable future, any operator could meet our core health and wellbeing service delivery requirements as well as our financial criteria.

“We carried out a transparent, compliant, and competitive two-stage procurement process and are very pleased to welcome Places Leisure as the new operator of the Rainbow Leisure Centre. Their bid not only provided substantial investment to improve the building, upgrade areas and equipment, but also clearly showed how they will build on the current service.”

Ewell Epsom councillor Clive WoodbridgeCouncillor Clive Woodbridge, Chair of the Community & Wellbeing Committee said:

“I would like to welcome Places Leisure as operator of the Rainbow Leisure Centre, and we look forward to working together to deliver more holistic health and wellbeing services to meet the needs of residents.

“The leisure centre is a vital community space and part of Places Leisure’s offering is that they will provide an inclusive and robust active communities programme that will continue to address the council’s health and wellbeing priorities.

“This exciting new approach will benefit residents as it means that services can be delivered both at the leisure centre itself as well as in the community, supporting all our residents, including the young and the elderly and those with a disability or illness. We look forward to our residents benefitting from this balanced and more comprehensive approach to health and wellbeing in the borough.

“Finally, I would also like to offer my thanks to Greenwich Leisure Limited for their diligence and hard work including through challenging times such as Covid. They leave a positive legacy on which we can build.”

Dan WalkerDan Walker, Business Development Director at Places Leisure, said:

“A healthy community cannot exist without the facilities that enables it to thrive. Rainbow Leisure Centre is the beating heart of this community, and we look forward to a successful partnership with Epsom &  Ewell Borough Council, local stakeholders, and of course the colleagues who deliver the services to the local community.

“Our primary goal is to support the local community to create more active places and empower more healthy people, which is why within the first year of our contract we will invest c£4.7million in a series of projects including a new fitness suite, studios and changing facilities. Our commitment will further boost community activities, inspire people of all ages to lead an active and healthy lifestyle, whilst generating over £5million of social value each year.”

Places Leisure is a social enterprise which is passionate about ‘creating active places and healthy people’ and improving opportunities for communities to be physically active. It experiences over 30 million visits per annum across the 101 leisure facilities that it operates on behalf of local authorities across the country and supports over 126k children and adults learning to swim each year. https://www.placesleisure.org/  

Mystical May-hem at Hobbledown this Half Term

Get ready for a week of mystical may-hem here at Hobbledown this may half term

Where magic, dragons, and merry mayhem collide to create an unforgettable experience for all who enter. Prepare to be enchanted as we invite you to join us for the Merrydown Festival, a joyous celebration of Rumpletump’s older brother’s arrival and a spirited immersion into the vibrant culture of Hobbledown.
From thrilling dragon parades to whimsical fairy schools, Tipp’s Fab Lab to tantalizing jelly-eating contests, our festival promises a day filled with laughter, wonder, and endless adventure this May half term.
 
Get ready for a week of mystical may-hem here at Hobbledown this may half term
 
 
What to expect:
 
TIPP’S FAB LAB
Step into Tipp’s Fab Lab at the Merrydown Festival to explore inventions and the enchanting power of Hobbledown Crystallite and Magic. Experience swirling smoke, mesmerizing bubbles, and captivating displays of magic.

 
RUMPLETUMP’S JELLY CHALLENGE
Can the hobblers outdo Rumpletumps’s older brother’s record for devouring jelly in a minute? Gather round and witness as hobblers gather to see if anyone can surpass the record for devouring jelly in a minute.

 
DRAGON & FAIRY SCHOOL
Join the Hobblers as we immerse ourselves in the world of dragons and fairies. Discover the fundamentals and transform yourself into these magical creatures.

 
MERRYDOWN FESTIVAL
Bop along to the daily dance party! Learn our signature routine, groove to music, and enjoy fun activities like limbo, Conga, and bubble parties.

 
DRAGON PARADE
Get excited for the arrival of the Dragon’s at Hobbledown. Grab flags and streamers, chant and march, enjoy animal antics, and pop giant bubbles in celebration!

 
BIRDS OF PREY
Daily at 12pm and 3:30pm, watch a range of owls, hawks and falcons take to the skies at the Willows Birds of Prey Centre.

For more Information or To Book Click Link 
www.hobbledown.com/epsom/whats-on/mysterical-mayhem/
 
Get ready for a week of mystical may-hem here at Hobbledown this may half term