Schools Out: Michael Graham’s Guide to February Half Term

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden

Children can design and build their own car and marble maze here under the guidance of Science Oxford, or channel Willy Wonka and create their own chocolate wrapper while listening to award-winning children’s poet Neal Zetter who is dropping in to read his poems. www.roalddahl.com/museum

Waddesdon Manor, Waddesdon

Waddesdon Manor has a fun-packed schedule for half term. Choose from pirate orienteering around the grounds, family cookery lessons in the Manor Restaurant or just hit the brilliant adventure playground if you like to keep things free flowing. The Stables Cafe are a perfect place for a pit stop and now that Waddesdon is dog friendly, you can treat your four legged friend to lunch there too. www.waddesdon.org.uk

BEDFORDSHIRE

Vets in Action at Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable

This is quite simply the perfect day out for animal lovers. Young visitors to Whipsnade will be able to experience first-hand the life of a vet in the Animal Hospital and will be taught how to examine, x-ray and perform treatments on different animals, with that all important practice on soft toys. There’s plenty to do outside too with an adventure playground and soft play, as well as visiting the lions and tigers and bears. www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo 

Mead Open Farm, Leighton Buzzard

At Mead Open Farm you can get your fix of fluffy new born lambs. The newly extended indoor play area will keep little ones entertained while you enjoy a leisurely lunch at the Grain Store Kitchen Café. www.meadopenfarm.co.uk

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Sacrewell Farm, Peterborough

Sacrewell Farm is run by the William Scott Abbott Trust - a charity dedicated to connecting people with food, farming and the countryside. There is masses here to keep everyone entertained with opportunity for hands on learning about rural crafts and farming experiences. Set in beautiful Cambridgeshire countryside, children can try lambing, pond dipping, den building, bread baking and animal handling, and adults can have a go at making cider. www.sacrewell.org.uk

OXFORD

Ashmolean Museum

The Ashmolean is free to enter and one of the best museums in the country with galleries full of amazing art and artefacts, mummies and weapons, paintings and sculpture. This half term they’re celebrating the Chinese Year of the Pig with crafty activities and stories little ones will love. Advance booking is recommended for the Jeff Koons’ exhibition if you have older children interested in contemporary art. www.ashmolean.org

HERTFORDSHIRE

Ashridge Estate, Berkhamsted 

This National Trust estate in the Chiltern Hills has 5000 acres of glorious woodland to explore. A half-term trail around the grounds teaches children about hibernating animals on the estate, and if you feel like hibernating afterwards, head to the tea room for a serving of the National Trust’s famous scones and jam. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ashridge-estate

MILTON KEYNES

Willen Lake, Willen 

If you’ve got older children or adrenalin-fuelled teens to entertain this half term, check out the water-sports on offer at Willen Lake. There’s sailing, wake boarding, windsurfing and kayaking and if they’re not splash happy (it is February after all) there’s archery, segway riding, treetop climbing and fishing. Go for the day or sign them up for a course. www.willenlake.org.uk

LEICESTERSHIRE

Conkers, Ashby-de-la-Zouch

Set in the National Forest take a packed lunch (and waterproofs) and prepare for a full day in the great outdoors.  For younger ones there’s a barefoot walk, sensory trail and fairy labyrinth, older children may prefer the mountain biking and archery. If the weather isn’t friendly there’s a 4D cinema where you can explore the forest floor and experience a tree top walk from the comfort of a cosy seat. www.visitconkers.com

LONDON

Imagine Children’s Festival, Southbank

With over 12 days of activities and half of them free, this festival offers a fabulous selection of  children’s theatre, literature and music. Authors Jacqueline Wilson, Malorie Blackman and Chris Riddell will be on hand to talk books, there’s a Peppa Pig concert of orchestral music and a screening of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt with a live orchestra, plus hip-hop workshops for children who put Peppa Pig away long ago. We defy you not to find something your child doesn’t love. www.southbankcentre.co.uk

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Rushden Lakes, Rushden

Child-friendly activities with a side-order of adult retail therapy and restaurants– what’s not to love? Even better, the shopping park has just opened 360 Play which includes a toddler section, a climbing centre and miniature golf course. Football pitches and ping pong tables make this fun for children of any age.  www.rushdenlakes.com

WARWICKSHIRE

Warwick Castle, Warwick

One of the most breathtakingly beautiful historical castles in the country, the live-action daily shows are back this half term. Witness the Mighty Trebuchet, the Flight of the Eagles, the Bowman Show and the Castle Dungeon and if your children are becoming ‘challenging’, there’s always the option of losing them for a while in the Horrible Histories maze. Luxury suites or wooden lodges in the Knights Village are an option if you want to blow the budget and stay overnight to make a mini break of it. Or if your children are still lost in the maze. www.warwick-castle.com

 

What have we missed? Find us on Facebook or tweet us and let us know your top tips for things to do during half term. And for Michael Graham town and country properties to buy or to rent across these regions, have a look at our website at michaelgraham.co.uk, which includes the three suggestions below.