Herts &amp; Beds

<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-film-amp-theatre">FILM &amp; THEATRE</h2>



The Oxford Rep Company brings <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/wrest-park-macbeth-4-5-apr-2025/">Macbeth</a> to Wrest Park on 4 and 5 April. Shakespeare’s story of ambition, corruption, and seduction is set in 1969 and plays out in the intimate setting of the historic dining room.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Banff-mountain-film-festival-1000x667.jpg" alt="Banff mountain film festival" class="wp-image-82390" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Banff-mountain-film-festival-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Banff-mountain-film-festival-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/01/Banff-mountain-film-festival.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



And the<a href="https://everyonetheatres.com/whats-on/banff-mountain-film-festival-world-tour-2025/"> Banff Mountain Film Festival</a> is back at The Alban Arena on 8 April with a new line-up of short films featuring extreme journeys, intriguing characters and stunning cinematography.



<a href="https://quarrytheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873666740">Bedford Independent Film Festival</a> is celebrating independent film with a three-day event featuring screenings of indie feature films and shorts at the Quarry Theatre. There’ll be seminars, awards and the chance for filmmakers and film enthusiasts to mingle afterwards. 11-13 April.



<a href="https://www.watersmeet.co.uk/the-hound-of-the-baskervilles">The Hound of The Baskervilles </a>(a radio play live on stage) is at Watersmeet Theatre, Rickmansworth on 16 April. Featuring Colin Baker (Doctor Who), Terry Molloy (The Archers) and plenty of sound effects you’ll be transported to Baker Street and Dartmoor all in one night.



Janeites can enjoy a fast-paced romp through the masterpieces of Jane Austen at The Old Town Hall on 19 April. Watch as three fab actors deliver <a href="https://oldtownhall.co.uk/events/the-complete-works-of-jane-austen-abridged">The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged</a> in this funny 80-minute show.



Fancy a mind-blowing theatrical experience? Then don’t miss <a href="https://www.thespotlightvenue.com/whats-on/illusion-impossible/218">Illusion Impossible </a>at The Spotlight, Hoddesdon. The show features breath-taking magic, mind reading stunts and grand scale stage illusions. 27 April.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-art-amp-exhibitions">ART &amp; EXHIBITIONS</h2>



The Hertford Arts Festival, <a href="https://www.hertford.gov.uk/events-listings/harts-fest-2025/">HArts Fest</a> takes place on 12 April on the lawn of Hertford Castle. Packed with art and craft stalls, there’ll be plenty of live music, entertainment and food stalls plus the castle doors will be open so you nose inside and see where Queen Elizabeth I spent much of her childhood.&nbsp;



It will also coincide with <a href="https://www.courtyardarts.org.uk/exhibitions/hertford-art-trail-2025/">The Hertford Art Trail</a>, from 5 – 26 April, where you can visit participating local artists at work in pop-up exhibitions at cafés, bars and gift shops around the town, watch them at work and buy their pieces.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/HenryMoore2-1000x667.jpg" alt="Henry Moore Sculpture Park" class="wp-image-89599" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/HenryMoore2-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/HenryMoore2-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/HenryMoore2.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Sculptor <a href="https://henry-moore.org/studios-and-gardens/">Henry Moore’s Studios &amp; Gardens</a> in Much Hadham reopens for the Spring on 16 April. Wander through the gardens, admire his incredible bronze scultptures, peek inside his studios and take a tour of his former home. Want to see more? There are objects, documents and sketches galore relating to the artist in the archive building (by appointment only).



It also marks the opening of <a href="https://henry-moore.org/whats-on/encounters/">Encounters</a>, a season of stories and events celebrating the creative encounters between Moore and the artists, assistants, and collaborators he met during his year and beyond. There’ll also be a new presentation of sculptures in the grounds.



Last chance to see <a href="https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/catching-chain">Catching the Chain</a>, an exhibition exploring the history of criminal justice. It&#8217;s on until 21 April at St Albans Museum + Gallery while the natural world is celebrated in <a href="https://www.stalbansmuseums.org.uk/whats-on/wild-about-hertfordshire">Wild about Hertfordshire</a> at the same venue until 6 July.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comedy">COMEDY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-1000x1000.jpg" alt="Seann Walsh" class="wp-image-89914" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-1000x1000.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-500x500.jpg 500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize-1100x1100.jpg 1100w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/SeannWalshresize.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Comic <a href="https://quarrytheatre.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/873629625">Seann Walsh</a> is bringing the laughs and leading the line-up at The Quarry Theatre on 10 April as part of the Castle Comedy 13th Birthday Special.



Comedy crossdresser Kate Butch (RuPaul&#8217;s Drag Race UK) is running up that hill in <a href="https://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/kate-butch-wuthering-shes">BUSH!</a> a musical based on the songs of Kate Bush. Expect plenty of laughs, live vocals and lip sync extravanganzas at the Hats Factory Arts Centre on 10 April.



Over at The Old Town Hall, Hemel, <a href="https://oldtownhall.co.uk/events/shrew-frances-keyton">Frances Keyton</a> is tickling the tonsils with her bold humour on 11 April. While there’s family-friendly comedy at the same venue on 27 April as Darryl Carrington pulls surprises and unlikely characters from his mysterious box in his clowning show, <a href="https://oldtownhall.co.uk/events/out-of-the-box">Out Of The Box</a>. &nbsp;



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gardens-amp-workshops">GARDENS &amp; WORKSHOPS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tulipfarmresize-1000x667.jpg" alt="Tulip field St Albans" class="wp-image-89941" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tulipfarmresize-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tulipfarmresize-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Tulipfarmresize.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Looking for the perfect insta Spring moment? Head to the opening of <a href="https://tulipfields.co.uk/">Tulleys Tulip Fields</a> in St Albans on April 5 and admire the beautiful sea of colour produced by 500,000 tulip blooms. Until 27 April.



Boasting 50 acres, <a href="https://www.stpaulswaldenbury.co.uk/">St Paul&#8217;s Walden Bury</a> in Hitchin is a Grade I listed woodland garden featuring temples, statues, a lake and a terraced theatre. It’s also where the late Queen Mother used to play as a child. The gardens open on 6 April as part of the National Gardens Scheme.



Fancy a quintessentially British afternoon? Seven gardens in the Beds village of <a href="https://findagarden.ngs.org.uk/garden/34601/steppingley-village-gardens">Steppingley</a> are opening their gardens over the Easter weekend (20-21 April). Admire the blooms, enjoy an Easter egg hunt then&nbsp;refuel with a delicious home-made tea. &nbsp;



While over at <a href="https://ngs.org.uk/gardens/ashridge-house-gardens-hp4/">Ashridge House</a> you can wander through the historic &#8216;Garden of Gardens&#8217;, browse a selection of garden stalls then tuck into some light refreshments at Bakehouse Café. Dogs welcome. Open 27 April.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-family-amp-kids">FAMILY &amp; KIDS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Legoresize-1000x667.jpg" alt="LEGO fan festival" class="wp-image-89921" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Legoresize-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Legoresize-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Legoresize.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Calling all LEGO fans. There’s a two day <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/wares-the-bricks">LEGO fan festival </a>at Ware Priory, on 12-13 April with displays, activities and workshops galore. While over at Wrest Park you can help build a replica of <a href="https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/whats-on/wrest-park-the-big-brick-build-12-21-april-2025/">Wrest Park&#8217;s Orangery</a> using LEGO bricks from 12-21 April.



Make a Springtime Tree from an ordinary coat hanger then decorate your own Farm Boy horseshoe. Theatrical design and production company Scene2 are running a <a href="https://purchase.beamhertford.co.uk/EventAvailability?EventId=83601">Making Props</a> workshop at BEAM Hertford on 15 April.



There&#8217;s a <a href="https://lutonhooestate.co.uk/event/spring-open-day-at-the-walled-garden/">Spring Open Day</a> at Luton Hoo Estate and Walled Garden on 16 April. It’s a great family day out with arts and crafts, a bunny hunt and seed planting.



Spend the Bank Holiday weekend at <a href="https://knebworthhouse.com/Event/easter-quest/?wcs_timestamp=1744972200">Knebworth House and Gardens</a>, where there&#8217;ll be a special Easter trail for the kids from 18-21 April. Pick up a trail sheet for £2 (in addition to your main entrance ticket), and follow the characters around the garden. There&#8217;ll also be the usual dinosaur trail, adventure playground and maze.



The Easter Bunny himself will by flying in (yes, on an actual plane!) to the <a href="https://www.shuttleworth.org/product/easter25/">Shuttleworth Estate</a> on 20 and 21 April. Kids can watch him land on the runway then follow him into the Swiss Garden to look for eggs before collecting one from Mr Bunny himself. There’ll also be face painting, balloon modelling and magic shows. Tickets are £17.50 for adults and £12.50 per child and include admission into the Shuttleworth House, Collection and Gardens.



All aboard the <a href="https://www.buzzrail.uk/special-events/">Leighton Buzzard Railway</a> for two special Easter trips on Easter Sunday and Monday (20 and 21 April).



Run off all that Easter chocolate by taking part in the <a href="https://www.ukrunningevents.co.uk/events/inflatable-5k/st-albans-hertfordshire-2025">Inflatable 5K</a> at the Hertfordshire County Showground in St Albans on 26 April. There are also options for 2.5K, 10K and 15K courses with up to 92 obstacles to take on. And you can sign the whole family up too as adults and kids are all welcome.



Take part in FREE <a href="https://www.dunstable.gov.uk/event/st-georges-day/">St George&#8217;s Day</a> Celebrations at Priory Gardens in Dunstable on 26 April, where there&#8217;ll be falconry displays, Punch and Judy shows, storytelling, circus skills, chainsaw carving and a dragon town trail.



<a href="https://herts.muddystilettos.co.uk/easter/easter-activities-near-me/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">FIND LOADS MORE KIDS&#8217; ACTIVITIES AND EVENTS HERE IN MY EASTER HOLIDAY GUIDE.</a>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talks-amp-workshops">TALKS &amp; WORKSHOPS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Springwreathresize-1000x667.jpg" alt="Spring wreath workshop" class="wp-image-89931" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Springwreathresize-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Springwreathresize-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/herts/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/03/Springwreathresize.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Fancy a go at making a <a href="https://www.tewinbury.co.uk/event/spr/">Spring wreath</a>? The florists from Flowered Up, Hertford will guide you through the process on 5 and 26 April at Tewinbury using blooms and foliage sourced from the farm.



Learn ancient skills at Celtic Harmony Camp, Brickendon. Workshops at this Iron Age settlement include an <a href="https://celticharmony.org/product/flint-knapping-workshop-april/">introduction to flint knapping</a> (you’ll make your own flint arrowhead) on 5 April, and an <a href="https://celticharmony.org/product/flint-knapping-workshop-april/">introduction to wild pottery</a> on 6 April.



Chocoholics listen up! Book yourself an exclusive, guided <a href="https://www.enjoystalbans.com/event/chocolate-love-match-6/">chocolate tasting</a> experience at Hotel Chocolat, St. Albans on 10 April.



This one is for all Strictly fans. DSI London makes costumes for the show and other&nbsp;West End productions and will be talking feathers and sequins in <a href="https://www.abbeytheatre.org.uk/whats-on/behind-the-seams/">Behind the Seams</a>. A range of fab-u-lous costumes will be on display too. It’s at the Abbey Theatre, St Albans 29 April.

April antics! 30+ local things to see and do this month

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