Shrewsbury Museum
Mummies, Pharaohs and Pyramids Ancient Egypt comes to life for February Half Term Did aliens build the pyramids? What is the mummy’s curse? Who were the ancient pharaohs? These are among the questions children can explore at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery’s exhibition, Secret Egypt, during February half term.
Secret Egypt will be open Monday 16th to Sunday 22nd February 2015, 10am – 4:30pm. Admission is £4.00 per adult and £2.00 per child, which includes entry to the Special Exhibitions Gallery. Concessions are available. For more information visit www.shrewsburymuseum.org.uk
Dorney Lake an event dedicated to people with disabilities
The launch of Para Tri, the UK’s first ever mass-participation event dedicated to people with disabilities, was announced by Olympic sprinter and TV personality Iwan Thomas, Lance Corporal Derek Derenalagi and Paralympian and founder Sophia Warner. The inaugural paratriathlon will be held at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowing venue Dorney Lake on Sunday 9 August 2015.
Para Tri builds on the legacy of the Paralympics, but with one fundamental difference – it isn’t just for the elite. It gives the one million people with disabilities who participate in sport regularly, and those who want to be more active, the chance to come together, compete and have fun on a dedicated playing field for the first time.
Further information, including how to register for the inaugural event, is available at www.paratri.com, with regular updates available on www.twitter.com/Para_Tri
New Forest
For 2015 the New Forest slows to the pace of heritage horse-drawn coaching holidays, then speeds to Sir Stirling Moss’ launch of two new displays celebrating the country’s passion for F1 and motorsports at the National Motor Museum, Beaulieu. But if creepy crawlies are more your thing then head down to Critter Creek and discover a brand new adventure ground at multi-award-winning Paultons family theme park
For more details see www.thenewforest.co.uk
Shropshire’s Ironbridge Gorge
February half-term hands-on family activities at Blists Hill Victorian Town Saturday 14th – Sunday 22nd February Take part in a variety of fun drop-in activities from dipping fabulously colourful candles and building a wall with mini-bricks to discovering Morse Code and colouring in pictures of Victorian scenes.
For further information, contact the Ironbridge Tourist Information Centre on Tel: 01952 433 424 or visit www.ironbridge.org.uk The Gorge is easily reached via the M6 and M54 motorways exiting at Telford (M54 junction 4 or 6)
Tamworth, Staffordshire
Have a fun-filled February half term at Thomas Land™ Drayton Manor Theme Park from Saturday 14th to Sunday 22nd February 2015, the Staffordshire-based attraction will open its gates to welcome families looking for a day of fun and excitement at Europe’s only Thomas Land™. They can experience the magical island of Sodor and get up close and personal with their favourite characters from the ever popular Thomas & Friends™ series.
To book tickets, or for more information about the park, visit www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1960.
National Trust
Half term is fast approaching and there are lots of activities to get kids outdoors and having fun with the National Trust. Across the county many National Trust places will be putting on a full programme of fun family events during half term week including crafts, exciting challenges, storytelling and quiz-packed trails. You could also go on an outdoor adventure and try ticking off some of the ‘50 Things to do before you’re 11 ¾’ such as den building and kite flying.
The National Trust looks after more than 600,000 acres of countryside, 742 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Cobham, Surrey
Wild Woodland Camp Have a wild time this half term with tracking, wild art, bushcraft and den building, for children aged 8 to 13 years 18th – 20th February 9am – 4.00pm £35 a day Booking: Advanced booking required.
Call 01932 868113 or book online www.painshill.co.uk
West Sussex
Chilli Fiesta wins Tourism Event of the Year 7, 8 & 9 August “West Dean knows how to put on a good show and you can see things growing and learn so much about how to cultivate your own. The place is quietly becoming a national institution. You should see it.” The Times. Book online at: www.westdean.org.uk/chilli
UK
From Shakespeare Selfies to I spy Shakespeare Week Join more than 1 million primary school children and share the love of the bard in fun and creative ways during Shakespeare Week, 16-22 March 2015. #IspyShakespeare
Recruiting secret agents to infiltrate mainstream media with Shakespeare’s prose. TV scripts, news articles, quiz show questions, headlines, opinion columns, weather forecasts and anywhere else you can sneak a quote in during #ShakespeareWeek in a game of #Ispyshakespeare.
Where’s Will? Art galleries, museums, historical houses and theatres are joining the campaign to create a national programme of family activities and events. Our Where’s Will? Map will plot Shakespeare Week happenings and key sites around Britain. Watch out for Bill, from the cast of Horrible Histories, launching in cinemas nationwide during Shakespeare Week http://goo.gl/kX6fyB www.shakespeareweek.org.uk
Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace has an eggcellent Easter weekend planned for all the family to enjoy from 3rd – 6th April. Blenheim Palace’s Pleasure Gardens will transform into a traditional Victorian fairground with a Lighthouse Helter Skelter, Victorian carousel, tea cups and Victorian swing boats. Families can see Punch & Judy Shows as well as watch Balloon Twisters, take part in Circus Skills Workshops, admire Stilt-Walkers and have their faces painted over the four day celebration too. www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events www.treasurehouses.co.uk
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