Featuring comedic plays, a Yeats-themed poetry evening, and a pop-up singalong showing of Frozen, the two-week Bedford Park Festival has the high- and low-brow nicely covered. Held in Chiswick from the 12th to the 28th of June, the first weekend kicks off with the highly kid-friendly Green Days Fête and Craft Fair and ends with the Bedford Park Open Gardens on the final Sunday, with loads of daily happenings in between.
Every year we at least take the kids to the Green Days Fête, on Acton Green—confusingly not particularly close to Acton, but rather situated opposite Turnham Green tube station (a bit like how Turnham Green is nowhere near its namesake station). In addition to fairground rides and games, the fête includes a five-a-side football tournament and a fancy dress competition (theme: Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass, presumably in honour of this year’s anniversary of the book), as well as face painting, games and activities in the children’s corner. If you’re a foodie you might like to check out the Great Green Days Bake Off, or the Jam and Chutney Making Competition. If you’re a gambler you can take part in the High Roller Tombola or the Win-A-Meal—with 35 restaurants participating in the latter, you could find yourself heading out for a free night of sushi (Sushi Bar Makoto), Vietnamese (Pho, Saigon Saigon), gastro pub (The Duke of Sussex, The Carpenter’s Arms and more), or fine French (La Trompette).
Beyond the fête, there are the more literary options, such as the Oscar Wilde Evening, with readings of The Ballad of Reading Gaol and The Happy Prince. Or you can commiserate with local mum Beverley Turner—LBC radio presenter, Telegraph journalist, and founder of Blooming Bunch ante-natal classes—at her no doubt aptly titled talk, Blooming Tired! For something musical, why not head to Jazz on a Summer’s Night, with the Denis Smith Trio and vocalist Vanessa Rose performing your classic jazz favourites. For something arty, you can check out Artists at Home across west London, where 68 artists (painters, ceramicists, textile designers and more) open their studios for a weekend. It’s worth noting that these studio visits are specifically billed as kid-friendly, and a great way to introduce young ones to art.
Other kid-friendly events include the Star Wars Epic Yarns and, of course, the Frozen Singalong, where fancy dress is encouraged. As if this weren’t enough, the festival also raises money for local charities and the work of St Michael and All Angels Church. All in all, it’s a great community event—one of those local happenings that make you feel like London isn’t just a cold metropolis but a cosy collection of friendly neighbourhoods.
Visit the Bedford Park Festival website for more information.
