Hang on to your hats at Alnwick Castle Summer 2018. Different theme every week.

Summer holidays week two: Fools Week

Summer until 2 August, hang on to your hats – and possibly your trousers too – because it’s Fools Week at Alnwick Castle, Northumberland.

Whether balancing on stilts, sword-juggling or fire-eating, the Castle’s resident fools Zooted and Devilstick Peat will have you thoroughly amused with their unabashed tomfoolery!
Enjoy fun-filled family entertainment fit for Royalty, harking from a period when comedy was uncomplicated and well, let’s say… simple!
These jesters never fail to delight with their brilliant blend of medieval comedy, magic and mischief. Their zany satire will have your sides-splitting with uncontrollable glee. Otherwise… it will be off with their heads!

You can have a go too.  Try your hand at circus skills, stilt walking, juggling and diablo.
This entertainment – which continues all day – is free with admission to the Castle, so don’t delay in setting the dates in your diary! Come and witness what would have entertained the Lords and Ladies of days gone by in the shadow of the majestic Alnwick Castle.

And of course, there’s a whole treasure chest packed with fun activities and adventures for the whole family to enjoy here during this time too.

You can join the Alnwick Castle Wizarding professors for broomstick training, take a tour of the magnificent staterooms (truly wonderful!), do battle with Alnwick Castle’s scary dragon, learn the insider secrets of all the films and TV series that were made here including Harry Potter, dress and play act in medieval costumes, create crafts to take home and see the famous seated WW1 “There but Not There” silhouettes** in the Castle Chapel – as well as many more things to do and see.    All activities here are included in your admission ticket (apart from Have a Go Archery which is £3.50 for 8 arrows and for  9 years and over).

There’s so much going on here you may not be able to fit it into one day, so remember if you pay to visit once, you can return to Alnwick Castle free for a whole year afterwards! *

The themed weeks of the summer holidays at Alnwick Castle are:

Knights’ Week from 4 August

Medieval Life – from 11 August

Storytelling Week – from 20 August

Wizarding Week – from 28 August

The Courtyard Café and Stable Fryery are available for delicious meals and refreshments and there are two well-stocked gift shops.

For more information on themed weeks at Alnwick Castle and other activities, please visit  www.alnwickcastle.com or call 01665 511 100

Tickets must be validated in visitor admissions on the day for unlimited free visits for a year, during opening hours.   See Terms and Conditions here: www.alnwickcastle.com/terms-and-conditions

Alnwick Castle, Alnwick, Northumberland NE66 1NQ   01665 511 100 –  www.alnwickcastle.com – info@alnwickcastle.com

GIGGLESWICK MAKES THE MOST OF SUMMER

 The head of a leading Yorkshire Dales school is urging young people to make the most of the forthcoming summer break.

 Mark Turnbull, headmaster of Giggleswick School, made the call as the school launched its range of summer holiday courses.  For children aged seven to 15 from across the region –  includes various sports, outdoor pursuits, arts, crafts and cookery.

Said Mark: “It should be a crime to live in this spectacular area and not make the most of it in summer. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors, try something new, something interesting, and of course relax and have fun.

“At Giggleswick, we firmly believe that there is more to life than just qualifications and academic success. What happens outside the classroom is just as important, and taking part in a wide range of activities can be of great benefit to a child’s wellbeing, development and happiness.

Sports academies on offer cover golf, tennis, hockey and cricket, with outdoor pursuits, art, cookery and crafts also on the menu. They run from July 16-20, 23-27, August 13-17 and 20-24, all on a day or residential basis.

The sports courses, running for many years, are well established and with the input of coaches such as England and GB Hockey’s Andrew Gibson, they are earning a reputation as a springboard for talented individuals to progress their talents and careers.

The Active Outdoors course includes a chance to try a variety of activities including fencing, climbing, mountain biking, shooting, navigation and den building.

Mark added: “We are so lucky to have such wonderful facilities and we are delighted to be making them available for children in the local community and beyond to enjoy during the summer holidays.”

Details of Giggleswick School’s programme of summer courses

www.giggleswick.org.uk/summer.

01729 893000 for further information or enquiries.

Giggleswick School is a 450-pupil, independent, co-educational day and boarding school set in stunning countryside near the market town of Settle in the Yorkshire Dales. Founded in 1512, the school offers a high quality education where personal development is a key focus alongside excellent academic results, providing young people with the skills, positive attitude and self-belief to equip them for happiness and success in today’s world.