Start the holidays with our summer activities

Summer is here and what better way to enjoy it than by participating in the many activities happening in the neighborhood?

There are 14 leisure centers in the borough, many of which will offer a variety of fun activities to keep the whole family fit and healthy.

If you’re keen to develop your front crawl but short on time, there are speed swimming lessons available at Everyone Active Acton Centre, Dormers Wells Leisure Center and Northolt Leisure Center from 29 July to 31 August.

For all budding players, Brent Valley Golf Course is running a golf camp on August 6-8 for kids aged 8-15. Learn from a golf pro how to putt, chip and hit long shots. All abilities are welcome, from complete beginners to juniors who have played golf before. For more information call Brent Valley Golf Club on 0208 567 0489 or email [email protected].

Get your child in the Summer Olympic spirit and sign up for the Athletics Holiday Camp at the Perivale Park Athletics Track. They can learn all the athletic events, play fun games and compete in a mini competition at the end of the week.

And if you’ve recently been inspired by Wimbledon and want to strengthen that backhand, book a free session at one of the council’s 8 tennis courts.

More information about sporting activities in the district is available on the Everyone Active website.

Enjoy your natural environment

For the nature lovers and gardeners out there, you can get involved in a number of neighborhood groups and activities:
•Dean Gardens Community Garden Sessions, 10am-1pm every Tuesday – a chance to learn practical gardening skills and meet other local enthusiasts
• River Brent Cleanup Group (CURB) – a group of volunteer local residents taking action in Ealing to ‘clean up the River Brent’. To get involved, contact [email protected].
• Horsenden Hill Walk – a 1.1 mile circular walk that takes you to a summit with spectacular views of London. Contact [email protected].
• Ealing Wildlife Group – a community of volunteer wildlife enthusiasts who protect, encourage and celebrate nature in the borough through education, collaboration and conservation. Events this month include a bird walk and survey in Walpole Park and volunteering at Costons Lane Nature Reserve
• LAGER Can – a volunteer community action group that aims to make neighborhood open spaces cleaner and greener. To participate, contact [email protected].
• Walpole Park Walled Garden – a twice weekly meeting in Walpole Park where volunteers come together to mulch, sow, weed, water and harvest crops in the garden that once grew produce for Sir John Soane’s kitchen at Pitzhanger Manor. Meetings are from 10am to noon on Wednesdays and Thursdays. To learn more, come to one of the sessions.

Embrace your culture

If you enjoy expressing yourself through art, film, music or theatre, check out the council’s culture website for upcoming events, activities and opportunities.

On July 24, the New Gen Festival returns, showcasing the neighborhood’s next generation of talent, featuring emerging artists, live music performances, dance, spoken word and a chance to take part in creative activities.

If you like exhibitions, check out Axia Blue’s Jigsaw Heritage – a multimedia textile collection that explores Axia’s relationship with her grandmother, who is battling dementia and Parkinson’s disease.

Activities for senior residents

All Active runs a wide variety of activities for older adults of all abilities. With more than 100 Staying Active sessions including swimming, fitness, indoor bowling, circuits, gym sessions, group cycling, pilates/yoga and table tennis, there’s something for everyone.

Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub offers a range of fitness activities including badminton, walking cricket, walking tennis, pickleball and basic fitness classes. Sessions cost just £2.50 unless included in the Better Senior membership which gives access to the rest of the facility. Sessions take place on Tuesdays and Fridays from 12.30pm to 3.30pm and can be booked at reception or pre-booked online.

Reducing summer costs

If you’re worried about the cost of family fun, we’ve put together a handy list of budget-friendly activities.

Councilor Blerina Hashani, the council’s cabinet member for thriving communities, said: “This year’s program promises a summer full of fun and exciting activities that will entertain the whole family.

“Many activities are free, making them accessible to families feeling the impact of the cost of living crisis. I’m delighted to see so many offers and I hope families in the neighborhood will take the opportunity to get involved.”