What's On in January in South East England

Kempton racecourse holds jump and flat races throughout the year, but for something a little different, around twice a month on a  Wednesday night they hold race evenings and afterwards either hold a disco or have a band playing.  The flagship race of the course is the annual King George VI Steeple Chase on Boxing Day.  In addition to the Wednesday night meetings, Kempton holds race meetings at least once a month.

Next flat race meetings Tuesday 6th & Wednesday 7th January.  Lanzarote HurdLe Day 10th January.

The temporary outdoor ice rink at Hampton Court Palace will be up and running from the 30th November - 11th January 2009.  Its location in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace, in front of the palace is quite spectacular and is open generally from 10am to 10pm.  Pre-booking is advised as it does get very busy, and the session lasts one hour. Ice-skating is subject to varying weather and ground conditions.

Near By:

Restaurants: Petite Nantes, East Molesey,  Tryst, Western Green, Esher

Pubs: Marney's Village Inn, Western Green, Esher

The Mayflower is one of the largest theatres in the South, and is one of the three most successful regional threatres in the UK.  Touring musicals, many direct from the West End, Opera, Ballet, Music and comedy, are all staged at the Mayflower.  Past shows have included Chicago, Miss Saigon, Fame, Jesus Christ Superstar, Swan Lake on Ice and the Bolshoi Ballet.

Pantomime: Cinderalla starring Christopher Biggins, Mathew Kelly, Stephanie Powers and Craig McLachlan 5th December - 17th January. 

Fontwell Park is a small racecourse set in landscaped gardens. The course is a mile round, with a figure-of-eight steeplechase course.  Various type of racing events take place throughout the year including family days and evening racing with entertainment afterwards.

Next race meetings: Jump racing 7th & 22nd January.

Established since 1984 and boasting a new Bistro and Bar serving pre-theatre dinner, interval, after theatre dinner and lunches, Epsom Playhouse stages comedy, drama, dance, light entertainment, variety and children's shows.  In addition they have a Youth Theatre Workshop, Pre-School Playground, and a summer film festival.

Pantomime: Peter Pan 19th December - 11th January. 

Flat, National and All Weather Racecourse with over 90 meetings taking place in 2008. 

All Weather Flat Racing 9th, 10th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 23rd, 24th, 28th, 30th & 31st January.

National Hunt Turf Racing 19th January.

Built in 1899 and refurbished in 1991, a quarter of a million people visit Richmond Theatre every year to see over 40 productions.  Drama, musicals, opera, dance and family entertainment are staged throughout the year, as well as workshops and summer school activities.  Tours of this historic building occur weekly.

Pantomime: Peter Pan 5th December - 11th January starring Simon Callow and Bonnie Langford.

Small racecourse with views over the South Downs. Sixteen National Hunt meetings take place between September and May.  There are three enclosures, one of which is the Course Enclosure where visitors can take picnics or make use of the Course bar.  Children under 16 free provided they are with a paying adult.

Next race meeting Monday 12th January.

Eastbourne Theatres is made up of four theatres, the Congress Theatre, Victoria Devonshire Park, Winter Garden Floral Hall and Golden Room, and the Royal Hippodrome..  The theatres show a huge array of productions covering comedy, drama, music, ballet and musicals, whilst the Hippodrome is a music venue, with performances mostly during the summer.

 
Pantomime: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starring Stefan Booth, Niamh Perry, Carl Patrick and Martyn Knight 12th December - 11th January. 

Newbury Racecourse is home to the famous Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. There are three enclosures at the course, one of which is the Picnic Enclosure.  Over thirty race meetings are held annually, including day time and evenings events. Under 18’s are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Next race meeting: New Year's Racing, Wednesday 14th January, jump racing.  Friday 23rd January, jump racing.

Built in 1992, the New Victoria has staged musicals such as Miss Saigon, Chicago and Cats, and drama has been provided by the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Royal National Theatre, to name but a few.  

Pantomime: Aladdin starring Bradley Walsh, Eric Potts and Eloise Irving, 5th December - 11th January. 

Arts venue set in a site of 38 acres, producing 350,000 performances per year, with over 170,000 visitors.  Theatre, dance, music, comedy, concerts, film and visual arts, as well as summer performances in the amphitheatre.

Pantomime: Aladdin starring Ciaran Joyce and Jon Clegg 12th December - 4th January. 

The Oxford Playhouse was founded in the 1920s and is today a vibrant presenting theatre.  In its repertory years’ the theatre saw the likes of Sir John Gielgud, Dame Judi Dench and Sir Ian McKellen, perform on its stage. The Oxford Playhouse is now a key date on the national touring circuit, staging drama, dance, music, music theatre and children's theatre, and they are taking an active role in producing, launching and commissioning new work.  

Pantomime: Sleeping Beauty 5th - 18th January 

Established in 1982 the Orchard Theatre stages dance, drama, musicals, comedy, children's shows, and music events.  Previous musicals have included Chess, Rocky Horror Show, Blood Brothers, West Side Story and Grease.

Pantomime: Peter Pan starring Joe Pasquale 5th December - 11th January. 

Have a fantastic day racing at the newly redeveloped Ascot race course.  Ascot racecourse dates back 300 years and is home to the most famous race meeting in the world, Royal Ascot in June.  Jump and flat race meetings take place throughout the year.

Next race meeting 17th January.

Part of the Ambassador Group of theatres, the Milton Keynes Theatre was built in 1999 and has staged West End productions, as well other drama and musical shows.

Pantomime: Peter Pan starring HenryWinkle, Andy Ford and Louisa Lytton 5th December - 18th January. 

Built in 1997, the Churchill's auditorium seats 785, staging musicals, ballet, drama, dance and much more.  

Pantomime: Cinderalla starring Steve Guttenberg, Helen Lederer, Laura Hamilton, Mark Evans and Tucker 5th December - 18th January. 

Portsmouth Dockyard combines history with our modern Royal Navy. On view are historic ships that have shaped British history, museums and exhibitions.  Alternatively, jump on board for a harbour tour lasting 45 minutes, and view from the water the Destroyers, Frigates and Mine Sweepers moored in the harbour.

Burns Night: Celebrate Burns Night with a traditional Burns Night supper and Celtic entertainment aboard HMS Warrior on the 23rd January. Call 023 92778604 for more information.

Loseley Park was built in the 1560s for Elizabeth I to stay in, but has been in the More-Molyneaux family for nearly 500 years.  A place of grace and beauty, set in 1,400 acres of Surrey countryside, the house exhibits many fine works of art including paintings, tapestries and paneling.  There are three gardens, one of which has over 1,000 old fashioned roses.

Burns Night: Enjoy a traditional Burns Night with a four course meal, Highland Piper and dancing on the 23rd January. 

Near By:

Pubs: Withies Inn, Compton

One of the largest privately owned vineyards in Europe, with 265 acres of vines planted on the Surrey Hills.  Chateux style visitor centre with a restaurant and gift shop.  Learn about the process of wine making during the cinema tour and tasting, or on the vineyard train touring the vines, or on the indoor wine experience.

Burns Night: Mark Burns Night this year with a traditional evening of entertainment including a four-course meal and bagpipes in the Denbies Cellars on the 23rd January.

Near By:

Pubs: The Running Horses, Mickleham

Race meetings at least twice a month, and evening meetings from May to August.  Sandown Racecourse was once the Queen Mother's favourite racecourse.  With good views from the stands of the racecourse and paddocks, Sandown is good place to go racing.  Jump and flat races take place throughout the year, and during the summer, evening gala events with bands playing after the racing also take place.

Next race meeting: Totesport Masters with Comedy at the Races Saturday 31st January.

Near By:

Pub: Marney's Village Inn, Western Green, Esher

Restaurant: Tryst, Western Green, Esher