Whatever their interest, you’ll find plenty of fun activities for the whole family at places across South Warwickshire this February half term.
If you’re looking for fast lane fun…
- It’s all about Formula 1 fun at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon from February 19 – 27 with a host of exciting racing-themed activities from designing a Lego Formula 1 car to build and race to taking part in a live Science show learning the secret science of speed.
- Coventry Transport Museum is championing diversity with a new interactive family-friendly exhibition, Women in Motorsport, as part of Coventry City of Culture. A range of motorsport companies, individuals, organisations and heritage partners have come together to celebrate the aspirational achievements and historical perspectives on motor racing, as well as current developments such as grass-roots and pro-racing.
Get Arty…
- The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum is running a range of half term art masterclasses, workshops and drop-in sessions for children and young people of all ages. Try some cartoon weaving, sensory play or see the latest exhibitions.
- Rugby Museum & Art Gallery have a free ‘I Spy’ hunt running through the holiday as well as some play sessions for a small fee. Join Sensory Splat, Open Play or a Sculptures themed session. There’s also a special relaxed session planned.
Experience live theatre…
- A new futuristic production of Shakespeare’s witty romantic comedy, Much Ado About Nothing is running throughout half term at the Royal Shakespeare Company. Starring Michael Balogun and Akiya Henry as Benedick and Beatrice, it features music by Nigerian-born British guitarist and MOBO award-nominated musician Femi Temowo whose past collaborators include Amy Winehouse and The Roots. Directed by Roy Alexander Weise, joint artistic director of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre, the set has been designed by the award-winning Jemima Robinson with costumes by Melissa Simon-Hartman, who has designed for Beyoncé and Notting Hill Carnival.
- Belgrade Theatre, Coventry have lots of different productions to see from David Walliam’s Billionaire Boy, to afternoon tea followed by a screening of The Lion King in the brand-new Screen Room. Older teens aged 14+ should head to B2 for Kerbs, the debut play from Michael Southan exploring taboos around sex, romance and disability (Feb 26 – March 2), and there’s a new adaptation of Dan Brown’s international best-seller The Da Vinci Code (Feb 22 – 26).
Got closer to nature…
- Anyone who visits the Stratford Butterfly Farm this half term from Feb 19 – 27 will receive a complimentary marble heart to either keep or give to a loved one. In return the Farm asks visitors make a green action promise to help protect the environment.
- Compton Verney have a range of workshops including Wild Wednesday!
Adventures through time:
- An Explorer Quest runs at Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden from Feb 19 – 27 whereby families can roam around the grounds to find games and activities inspired by Queen Elizabeth, soldiers, and servants.
- Heritage and Culture Warwickshire will have their resident Anglo-Saxon warrior answering questions, are hosting an exciting Escape Room experience and are calling on Arty Tots to get creative.
- History is unleashed as a two-week Festival of Archery returns to Warwick Castle this half term. The castle’s resident archers will unleash a host of exhilarating performance for visitors, providing epic displays of talent as they tackle a range of trials before going head-to-head in a very special tournament. Guests can crown their visit with an overnight stay at one of Warwick Castle’s medieval lodges in the Knight’s Village.
Something a bit different
- Magic Alley have a Magical Fairytale Trail running. You’ll enter a fantasy world of knights and princesses, unicorns and dragons. This event is based on a fairytale written specifically for this event. There will be puzzles and riddles to solve and things to find as well as activities such as having a sword fight (soft swords obviously)! It’s recommended age 6 but over 4s are welcome – little ones just might need extra help with the reading elements.
- Enjoy a family day out or half term break staying in one of the family-friendly rooms at Coombe Abbey Hotel, combining a visit to Go Ape. Within the grounds there’s also the brand-new 50s-inspired Sundae Club dessert diner for a waffle, ice-cream or milkshake.
- This half term, Go Cotswolds will be running their best-selling and family-friendly Cotswolds in a Day tours on 19, 23 and 26 Feb for anyone wishing to explore the towns, villages and hidden gems of his beautiful region. Highlights for children include running wild and spotting the sheep at Dover’s Hill, the excellent playground in Chipping Campden, and pretending to be giants at Bourton-on-the-Water’s model village (most adults secretly enjoy this too!). Reduced tickets are available as part of the National Lottery Days Out scheme, with £25 off bookings.
- Spectacle of Light at Compton Verney (Feb 11 – March 6) will be available to book for half term. The landscaped park and woodland will be transformed by night-time light installations to music, creating a magical illuminated trail under the stars.
Phew! That’s quite a lot but we’ve even more on our events page.
Have a fantastic half term and do share your photos with us on social media with #MyShakespearesEngland.