DISNEY epic The Lion King is about to leave us after a spectacular run, but seasonal pumpkin picking is just getting under way.
Also including a dream for steam fans and a very noisy event at Fort Nelson, here's our pick of the family events taking place this weekend.
The Lion King, Mayflower Theatre
It's your last chance to see this Disney stage spectacular before it moves on next weekend.
While limited tickets remain for this weekend's Saturday matinee (October 8), every other show until October 15 is completely sold out.
The Tony and Olivier award-winning musical boasts a cast of more than 50 actors, singers and dancers who tell the story of Simba’s epic adventures as he struggles to accept the responsibilities of adulthood and becoming king.
The Lion King is miraculously brought to life using masks, puppets and striking costumes. It features Elton John and Tim Rice’s music from the animated film along with new music from the celebrated duo and an evocative blend of African rhythms and chorales from South African composer Lebo M, creating a distinctive fusion of sound in songs including the Academy Award-winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight and the haunting Shadowland.
Try mayflower.org.uk but be quick!
Pumpkin Time, Sunnyfields Farm
It's a special weekend down on the farm as a weigh-in for a possible new pumpkin world record takes place.
Twins Ian and Stuart Paton from Lymington have already grown the UK's biggest pumpkin, which weighs as much as a Fiat 500, this season.
But there's one 'monster' left in the patch and it will be weighed at Sunnyfields at around 3pm on Saturday.
Pumpkin Time is open all weekend. There will be thousands of pumpkins, squash and other cucurbits to pop into your wheelbarrow and purchase. You can then take them home to carve, paint, or decorate your home into an autumnal space!
Big Bang Weekend, Royal Armouries Fort Nelson
Experience the might and power of the big guns at the Big Bang Weekend at Fort Nelson, near Fareham.
Get ready for a weekend full of noise, smoke and flames as the Garrison Artillery Volunteers (GAV) fire a range of Second World War artillery, including anti-tank guns, field artillery and anti-aircraft guns.
Live firings will take place on Saturday and Sunday at 11am, 1pm and 3pm.
Uniformed members of GAV will be on hand to talk about the guns they are firing, and the drills employed. There will be talks about the guns, plus the history of Fort Nelson and its role in the Second World War. Displays of First and Second World War guns can be explored in the museum’s galleries and outside on the parade ground.
Free tickets can be pre-booked at royalarmouries.org/event/big-bang-weekend/
Pumpkin Picking Patch, Fordingbridge
Pumpkins galore will be on offer when a popular picking patch opens its doors to the public this weekend.
The Picking Patch in Fordingbridge will welcome visitors every weekend from Saturday and all week during the half-term holidays.
Niall Smith and Suzanne Henneken are preparing to open their field gates beside the A338 at Bickton to welcome visitors to the twenty-acre site.
The patch will have more than 20 varieties of pumpkins for people to choose from.
There’s also a spooky Halloween Maize Maze on offer for the brave who like ‘ghostly tales of olde’.
Visit pickingpatch.com/pick-your-own-pumpkins/fordingbridge/ to book.
Autumn Steam Gala, Watercress Line
Enjoy a three-day steam-packed autumn spectacular.
This year’s Autumn Steam Gala event is a chance to enjoy unlimited rides behind home-fleet locomotives running on an enhanced timetable.
This will also be the last chance for visitors to ride behind the Schools class engine 30925 ‘Cheltenham’ before her boiler certificate expiration. This engine is in Hampshire courtesy of the National Railway Museum.
Explore all the heritage stations along the 10-mile line, get up close to some locomotives, find out more about restoration projects and enjoy talks and various exhibits.
See watercressline.co.uk/autumn-steam-gala/
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