If you’re looking for fun stuff to do over the summer holidays, head to Richmond Riverside, where the Puppet Barge is back with a host of exciting shows.

For nearly 30 years, the Puppet Barge has been a familiar summer sight on the banks of the Thames in Richmond. The 55-seater floating theatre, moored a short walk from Richmond Bridge, is an enchanting and unique place for theatre lovers of all ages to visit, with marionette puppetry (puppets on strings) a speciality of the Barge.

This summer, the Puppet Barge’s programme includes productions of The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse (July 26 – August 9, ages 3-8), A Child’s Garden of Verse (August 13 – 31, ages 3 and up) and Sir Gawain the Green Knight (from August 31, for young people and adults).

Gren Middleton, who runs the Barge with Juliet Rogers, comments: ‘Although the journey from our usual home in Little Venice to Richmond, with such a large barge, is fraught with difficulties, the task is very rewarding. We have a regular audience waiting for us every year in Richmond of both adults and children. The peaceful location by the river near Terrace Gardens and the buzz of the theatregoers make for a joyful time for audience and the Barge company every summer.’

Find out more at puppetbarge.com