Top Picks

Free Things This Weekend

Good local plans needn't cost the earth. This page keeps an eye on the stronger free events nearby, so you can skip the faff and get straight to the promising stuff.

11–12 July Near Ashe Park

Not every listing gets a golden ticket

We don't just scoop up anything with a £0 next to it. These picks still need to be nearby, useful, and properly explained, because 'free' is lovely but 'free and baffling' is less of a selling point.

Happening Saturday 11 July to Sunday 12 July.
Picked for Ashe Park, not somewhere halfway across the county.
Only Local Gems and Curated venues make the cut, because standards are still a thing.
Listings with proper descriptions get bumped up the list. Three words and a shrug will not do.

Our 10 picks near Ashe Park

Wood Fayre2Free! (worth double-checking)

Wood Fayre

at Butser Ancient Farm

Step back into a world of living heritage at Butser Ancient Farm’s Wood Fayre, held in partnership with the Hampshire Coppice Group. This lively weekend celebrates traditional woodland crafts and skills, bringing together talented craftspeople, hands-on demonstrations, and engaging talks to inspire visitors of all ages.

23.2 milesSat 11 Jul
CuratedSee the details
Markets & Fairs

Don't miss the next one

Local events near you, in your inbox

One email a week with the local stuff worth knowing — before it's already happened.

Sign me up

Free. Unsubscribe whenever you like.

Ebru for Beginners Workshop (Turkish Marbling)4Free! (worth double-checking)

Ebru for Beginners Workshop (Turkish Marbling)

at Cornerstone Arts Centre

Join our Ebru for Beginners Workshop (Turkish Marbling) class at Cornerstone Arts Didcot! Credit to Melek Ali Oglou for the images. Minimum age: suitable for children, but all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times Free to attend, but booking encouraged as spaces are limited Ebru, or Marbling Art, is a traditional Turkish art form that involves creating colourful patterns on water, which are then transferred onto paper. These patterns often include flowers, lattice designs, and symbolic motifs such as crescents and moons. Join this interactive workshop to create your own beautiful, marbled patterns using this traditional technique. Once dry, you can take your artwork home.

25.3 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Workshops & Classes
African Drumming Workshop5Free! (worth double-checking)

African Drumming Workshop

at Cornerstone Arts Centre

Join our African Drumming Workshop class at Cornerstone Arts Didcot! Join Kato from Oxford Drum School for a fun, hands-on African drumming workshop. Learn traditional rhythms, develop your musical skills and experience the joy of making music together. Suitable for a range of ages and abilities, these energetic sessions are free to attend, but advance booking is essential. The workshops are free, but reservations are necessary as spaces are limited. Parents/carers must stay with children throughout. Session 1: 10.10am–10.55am (School Years 1–3) Session 2: 11.15am–12pm (School Years 1–3) Session 3: 12.45pm–1.45pm (School Years 4–6) Session 4: 2pm–3pm (School Years 7+)

25.3 milesSat 11 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Workshops & Classes
Youth Sundays6Free! (worth double-checking)

Youth Sundays

at One Planet Abingdon Climate Emergency Centre

Adults with children, families and young people are welcome!Lots of skills to learn and share! Come and enjoy the company of like minded young people. Let’s connect over board games,arts and crafts, food, music and an opportunity to discuss what matters to you in a safe and motivating space!No charge, all welcome!

29.8 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Community
Ruby’s Vintage Fair7Free! (worth double-checking)

Ruby’s Vintage Fair

at J L Carter & Partners

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th July Ruby’s are fabulous Vintage & Retro Fairs in the South East and will be returning to Millets Farm this July with their Vintage Village! Stalls will be showcasing all things vintage and retro including…Vintage costume jewellery & accessories, Vintage clothes, Kitchenalia & linens, Vintage decorative items, Retro clothes & […]

30 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Markets & Fairs
Limitless Family Cycling8Free! (worth double-checking)

Limitless Family Cycling

at Moredon Sporting Hub

Limitless Family cycling, is our session exclusively for SEND families. Enjoy cycling together on our enclosed, traffic-free track. Adapted cycles & helmets included.£4.50 per child (One adult goes free with every child) £4.50 per child (One adult goes free with every child) £5.50 Extra adult* Book online

34.5 milesSat 11 Jul16:00
Local gemSee the details
Children & Family
Festival of Speed 20269Free! (worth double-checking)

Festival of Speed 2026

at Grand Hall Function Suite

The Goodwood Festival of Speed is one of the world’s most exhilarating motorsport events, bringing together legendary cars, iconic drivers, cutting‑edge machines and thousands of passionate fans in the beautiful parkland surrounding Goodwood House. Known as the ultimate summer garden party of motorsport, this four‑day festival delivers non‑stop action, innovation and atmosphere for enthusiasts of all ages.

37.9 milesSun 12 Jul
Local gemSee the details
Festivals & Events
Magical Malmesbury – Lace Making Day10Free! (worth double-checking)

Magical Malmesbury – Lace Making Day

at Athelstan Museum

Rausing Building FREE – donation appreciated Booking not required but numbers may be limited. The Museum is NORMALLY open 6 days per week: Monday – Closed, Tuesday – FRIDAY open 10.30am – 4.30pm, SATURDAY OPEN 10.30AM – 4.00PM, Sunday open 11.30am – 3.30pm, See ALSO… bank Holiday OPening Hours See our Online Shop to get items by post.

44.6 milesSat 11 Jul11:30
Local gemSee the details
Community

More Top Picks

Keep the good ideas rolling

If this page has done the trick, there is more where that came from.