Take your pick of events and activities for all the family this Spring half term in the centre of the country.
Get Cultured
Lakeside’s International Children’s Theatre and Dance Festival, Nottingham
Lakeside Arts Centre is pulling out the stops this half-term with its International Children’s Theatre and Dance Festival. From 3 – 10 June children as young as two and their families can enjoy theatre performances from a host of international artists. Belgium performer Nat Gras and his captivating dance theatre about bedtime rituals is just one act set bring big smiles as children and their parents recognise much of their own bedtime experiences through his work.
www.lakesidearts.org.uk
The Spark Children’s Arts Festival, Leicester
Stories, wonder and magic are the order of the day at this year’s annual Spark Festival. Staged from 31 May – 13 June the festival brings together the very best of UK and overseas creative companies attracting more than 10,000 visitors every year. Stories are delivered through dance, music, painting and sculpture, puppetry and various forms of theatre. There’s plenty for children and parents to join in with too – from making musical instruments, singing in a choir, learning dance routines and even sculpture and performance poetry.
www.sparkfestival.co.uk
Get Going
Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival
Join the family fun at Lincolnshire Wolds Walking Festival from 22 May to 6 June and explore this area of outstanding natural beauty. As well as boundless guided walks, fun games and quiz events kids can go wild at local church yard, Benniworth Church, using activity sheets, magnifying glasses and bug pots to find out lots of interesting facts about trees, mini beasts, archaeology, geology and lichens – the crusty bits on gravestones! It’s a chance to discover life in the undergrowth and look for smaller neighbours and explore their natural habitat.
www.woldswalkingfestival.co.uk
Family biking in the Peak District
Enjoy the beautiful backdrop of the Peak District this half term and cycle the flat, and leisurely three mile route of Tissington Trail, a disused railway line in the heart of Derbyshire’s picturesque countryside. Bike hire is available locally at Parsley Hay and Manifold, including family friendly options such as trailers and buggies. A short ride through the Tissington tunnel (complete with railway sound effects) brings you out in the rural town of Ashbourne, home to a range of country pubs, tea shops, cafés and boutique style stores.
Llama Trekking
Explore the outdoors in a unique way this half term and visit Catanger Llama Farm in Northamptonshire for an exciting Llama trekking experience. Take the family on an afternoon stroll with a llama (different packages available) across the gently undulating terrain of south Northamptonshire and enjoy a picnic in the heart of the Nene Valley. Llamas walk at a measured pace of around two miles an hour, allowing trekkers to soak up the surroundings and enjoy the delights of the native woodland.
www.llamatrekking.co.uk
Get The Past
Tudor Festival at Chatsworth
Head to Chatsworth in Derbyshire this bank holiday to find out what life would have been like as a 16th century peasant at the annual Tudor Festival. Take a turn in the stocks, fire a few arrows and enjoy performances from the Tudor Travellers, a small group of historical re-enactors, who will portray life as it was for the masses. Marvel at live demonstrations of historical crafts such as fletching, felting, weaving, spinning, dying and penmanship and enjoy a traditional hog roast in the grounds of the impressive 105 acre garden set in the heart of the Peak District.
www.chatsworth.org
Medieval Mayhem at Bosworth Battlefield
Bosworth Battlefield, where the powerful and fascinating Tudor dynasty was born over 500 years ago is hosting a Medieval Mayhem Extravaganza on Sunday 30 – Monday 31 May. Join Captain Mortimer and the Les Routiers de Rouen Army for a day of medieval fun and games, with the chance to try your hand at a host of thrilling activities.
On June 3 children aged 8 -11 are invited to learn the skills needed to become a valiant Knight with bill drill training, marching to the flag and talks on wounds, weapons and warfare with Captain Mortimer in the morning, and falconry sessions in the afternoon, plus the chance to find King Richard’s missing armour in a treasure hunt!
www.bosworthbattlefield.com
Nottingham Castle
For the ultimate Robin Hood experience this half term Nottingham Castle is showcasing original props, an array of weaponry, authentic set pieces and exclusive behind-the-scenes memorabilia from the actual film, designed and built by Sonja Klaus, the set designer for the new Robin Hood film. The exhibition features some of the most iconic props from the film including the costumes of Robin Hood, Maid Marion, Little John and Friar Tuck as well as arms & armour used in some of the fighting scenes.
Synchronized activities across the Nottinghamshire will include libraries hosting a series of free talks using archives to bring to life the county during the time of Robin Hood. Castle Rock Brewery will be launching a special Robin Hood Beer, and Britain’s oldest public house, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, has created a special Robin Hood themed menu.
As part of Nottingham’s Robin Hood Month, Regia Anglorum is staging a Medieval Re-enactment weekend depicting the late 12th Century – the life and time of Robin Hood on 29 – 31 May. The grounds of Nottingham Castle are being transformed into a medieval encampment providing an educational but enjoyable opportunity for all. Activities include living history, authentic crafts, weaponry drills, combat demonstrations, music and an organised parade of re-enactors in Nottingham’s Old Market Square.
Get Wild
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve
Gibraltar Point Nature Reserve, located on a three mile stretch of unspoilt Lincolnshire coastline is a haven for nature lovers, conservationists, bird watchers and families who visit to witness first-hand the nature that thrives within it. Half term sees the Nature Reserve open its doors to families fascinated by nature. A pond dipping event on June 1 encourages children to explore the calm waters of the reserve and delve deep to discover the fascinating creatures that inhabit the underwater world. On June 3 kids are invited to learn more about creepy crawlies and discover more about their intriguing invertebrates in a spider special activity event.
Rosliston Forestry Centre
Rosliston Forestry Centre is a vibrant mix of woodland, meadow, fishing lake, way marked walks and cycle routes home to an abundance of wildlife from kestrels and owls to kingfishers and waterfowl. This half term kids can enjoy activities from the Wildlife Watch Drop on June 1 where they can follow the tree trail to make their own leaf book; rock climbing and forest survival sessions on June 2 as well as have a go Archery and laser combat in the woods on June 3. With so much happening there really is something at Rosliston Forestry Centre for everyone.
www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk
Have fun!
