Zippos Circus
BEST FOR
Ages 0+
WHERE
Newbury
What it’s like
A big top show of acrobats and performers, no animals, running about an hour and forty-five minutes with an interval.
Under canvas, you get a proper circus show, acrobats and performers doing their thing for around an hour and forty-five minutes, with a fifteen to twenty minute interval built in to let everyone stretch their legs and queue for the loo. There are no animals in the show these days, which some parents will be glad of and others might find changes the mood a bit, but the acrobatics carry it.
Babies and toddlers under two go free if they sit on your lap, so this works for a fairly wide age range without extra cost for the smallest ones. Doors open thirty to forty-five minutes before showtime, and they ask you to queue as a group so you get seated together, which matters because seating isn't allocated. You get shown to an area by an usher on arrival rather than picking your own spot, so turning up nearer the doors opening than the show starting is the sensible move if you want a good view.
One genuine faff: pushchairs and prams aren't allowed inside the tent itself, fire regulations apparently. There's a Buggy Park in the foyer tent near the café, but it's left at your own risk, so don't leave anything precious in the basket. Wheelchair spaces are dedicated inside, and if you're caring for a disabled visitor you get a free carer ticket, proof of disability needed when you book, and that offer doesn't stretch to the First Night Preview.
Allow a full two hours for the visit once you count arrival and settling in. There's indoor seating and a café on site, so you're not stuck outside if the weather turns, and baby change facilities are there too.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Works from babes in arms up, though under-twos go free on a lap
- How long to allow
- Allow two hours as the show is around 1 hour 45 minutes
- Pushchairs
- Not allowed in tent. Buggy Park available in foyer tent at your own risk with staff supervision near café
- Wheelchairs
- Free carer ticket for disabled visitor (excluding First Day Preview)
- Worth knowing
- Discounted First Day Preview show tickets for opening night at each location
- Doors open 30 to 45 minutes before the show, worth getting there early for a better seating spot since it's unallocated
- Carers of disabled visitors get a free ticket, but proof is needed when booking and it excludes the First Night Preview
- Discount codes don't apply to the First Night Preview show
- There's a café and indoor seating in the foyer if you need a break before or during the interval
Plan your visit
How long is the show?
Around an hour and forty-five minutes, with a fifteen to twenty minute interval. Allow two hours in total once you count arrival.
Are there animals in the show?
No, Zippos no longer includes animals. It's all acrobats and circus performers now.
Can we bring a pushchair?
Not into the tent itself, that's a fire regulation. There's a Buggy Park in the foyer tent, but it's left at your own risk.
Do babies need a ticket?
Under twos go free as long as they sit on your lap. Anyone older needs a ticket.
Is the seating allocated?
Ushers seat you on arrival rather than you picking a spot. Queue with your whole group so you end up together.
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