Quick answer: eclipseArts runs circus skills workshops, children’s parties, school sessions and hen do activities across Keynsham and the surrounding area. Tom Makin brings the full circus kit to your venue — Keynsham Leisure Centre, the cricket club, school halls on Wellsway and Chandag, gardens and community spaces across BS31 — and runs a hands-on session where every single person gets a go. Workshops from £250, kids parties from £350.
Based in Keynsham, Not Passing Through
eclipseArts is based on Broadmead Lane, Keynsham, BS31 1ST — this is our home town, not a postcode we cover from the M4. That means no travel charge anywhere in Keynsham, no minimum booking distance, and genuinely short-notice availability: if you’re planning something at Keynsham Leisure Centre, a school hall off Chandag Road or a garden party in Harlequin Park, the kit is fifteen minutes away, not a national call-centre quote.
Tom Makin has performed across the town for years — most recently at the Keynsham Cricket Club beer and cider festival, where the crowd kept the acts on for the whole evening. We know which halls have low ceilings (skip the stilts), which have the space for a full tight-wire run, and how to park a van full of circus equipment at the Leisure Centre on a Saturday.
We cover Keynsham, Saltford, Whitchurch, Brislington, Hanham and Longwell Green — and everywhere in between. If you’ve got a bit of floor space, we’ll bring the circus to it: the Leisure Centre, the cricket club, school halls, gardens and community spaces across BS31.
What We Actually Do
Every session is hands-on from the first minute. No sitting and watching. Tom sets the kit out, shows you how it works, and then it’s over to you and your group to have a go — with a real performer coaching you through it.
- Circus skills workshops — juggling, plate spinning, hula hooping, diabolo, flower sticks, poi, unicycle, tight-wire and stilts. Drop-in or structured, all ages and abilities.
- Children’s circus parties — a 2-hour party with a high-energy show and then a full skills workshop. Every child leaves having learned something.
- School workshops — full-day or half-day sessions tied to PE, PSHE and physical development. SEND and inclusive groups are a specialism.
- Hen do circus sessions — active, social and genuinely different from the usual afternoon tea or cocktail class.
- Corporate team building — circus skills as a leveller: nobody’s good at this on day one, which is the whole point.
- Walkabout and event entertainment — stilt walkers, jugglers, fire performance and UV shows.
Why Book Direct
eclipseArts isn’t an agency. There’s no middleman taking a cut and no freelancer you’ve never met turning up on the day. You book Tom, Tom turns up, and Tom runs it. Thirty-plus years of performing and teaching, DBS-checked, £10 million public liability insurance, and full risk assessments available on request.
It also means the price is the price. Kids parties from £350, workshops from £250 a half day (full day £500), and free travel within 20 miles of Keynsham, then 50p per mile — no hidden extras bolted on afterwards.
Keynsham Schools and Community Groups
Primary schools across BS31 — Wellsway, Chandag, Castle, St Keyna, St John’s CofE, Somerdale Educate Together and Two Rivers — are all within ten minutes of our base. We run circus skills sessions tied to PE and physical-development goals, and SEND and inclusive groups are a specialism, not an add-on: sessions are adapted per group, and we bring enough equipment that nobody stands still waiting for a turn.
Community bookings — Keynsham Children’s Centre, the Leisure Centre’s activity programme, scouts and guides packs and the town’s festivals — are quoted the same way: tell us the group, the space and the date, and we’ll confirm availability the same day. We can run up to 250 pupils across a full day by rotating parallel stations, and we’ll supply a full risk assessment for formal bookings.
Straight From a Keynsham Crowd
“Great acts and entertainers. Kept all the kids riveted at Keynsham cricket club beer and cider festival and we would highly recommend them for your party or special event. Highly skilled and great fun.” — Derek Joyce, Keynsham Cricket Club
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a circus workshop in Keynsham cost?
Workshops start from £250 and children’s parties from £350. The final quote depends on how long you need us, how many people are taking part, and what you’re booking. You’ll always get a clear, upfront price with no hidden extras.
What space do you need?
A hall, community centre, school gym, garden or a decent patch of outdoor space. We’ll confirm exactly what we need based on the activities you pick — but if you’ve got room for a group to move about safely, we can usually make it work.
Do you charge travel to Keynsham?
No. Keynsham is our home town — BS31 is inside the free travel radius by definition, and there’s no minimum booking size.
How many people can take part?
Workshops work well from around 8 people up to 30-plus. For schools we can run up to 250 pupils across a full day using parallel stations and staggered groups.
Do you work with SEND and inclusive groups?
Yes, and it’s something we do a lot of. The open, non-competitive format works especially well for children who find structured activities harder. Every activity can be adapted for different abilities and mobility levels.
How do I book?
Message us on WhatsApp or use the enquiry form with your date, group size and location. We’ll confirm availability and send a tailored quote. Weekend dates book up quickly, so the earlier the better.
Ready to Book a Circus Workshop in Keynsham?
Tell us your date, roughly how many people, and where you are — we’ll do the rest. Call or message 07770 568311, or use the enquiry form and we’ll come back to you with availability and a price.
We also cover Bath, Bristol, Yate, Thornbury and Weston-super-Mare.