Time Travelling Trails at Half Term!

Get out and about this February and let the kids blow off steam in an adventure in history with activities, trails and much more at English Heritage sites across the country, with the chance to travel back to Roman or Tudor times or even explore fairytale adventures.

With towers to climb, grounds to explore and centuries of history to discover, there’s plenty to do for all the family during the school holidays. Here are some of the best activities taking place over February half term:

The Battle Quest

1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 10am – 4pm

Warm up in the winter months with a hike around this most famous of battlefields. There’s plenty to see and do for little ones, including the chance to take on our quest around the historic abbey and win a prize.

Fairytale Trail

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 10am – 4pm

There’s plenty to explore at Belsay, from the unique Quarry Garden to the ruined medieval castle, with spectacular views from the top of the tower. Seek out the English fairytales hidden around the grounds in this fun half term trail.

Time Travellers Go… Knights and Princesses

Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

Mon 17 – Fri 21 Feb 2014, 11am – 4pm

Head back in time for activities on a medieval theme. Transform yourself into a noble lord in squire training, and even try on armour in our academy for budding knights and princesses at Bolsover Castle.

Alice in Wonderland Trail

Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire

Sat 22 Feb – Mon 3 Mar 2014

Enter the magical world of Lewis Carroll in this enchanting trail around the gardens at Brodsworth Hall. There are six characters to find along the paths that lead visitors through the gardens. There’s a certificate prize for all who complete the trail.

Children’s Roman Soldier Week

Chesters Roman Fort – Hadrian’s Wall, Northumberland

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 10am – 3pm

Are you willing to join the Imperial Army this half term? Join us at Chester’s Roman Fort on Hadrian’s Wall where youngsters can train to be Roman soldiers with hands on activities, from drills and weapon skills to craft activities for little ones.

Time Travellers Go… Secrets and Spies

Dover Castle, Kent

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 10am – 4pm

Calling all super sleuths, secret agents and investigators! Sharpen your detective skills with hands-on training in disguise and cracking codes and clues. There’s plenty to see and do for a whole day out at Dover Castle too, including the chance to venture down into the Secret Wartime Tunnels and discover dramatic wartime activity brought to life.

Tudor Family Fun Trail

Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 10am – 4pm

Play at being king or queen in this fantastic coastal castle. Can you find Henry VIII and his six wives and uncover the grisly truth behind the untimely deaths of Anne Boleyn and Kathryn Howard? You’ll need to keep your head to complete this trail and receive your certificate!

Time Travellers Go… Gruesome

Whitby Abbey, North Yorkshire

Sun 16 – Mon 24 Feb 2014, 11am – 4pm

Explore the gruesome side of history with hands on activities and plenty of time travelling fun for children. Meet Thomas Turlis, the Public Hangman, equipped with gallows, ropes, and the other ‘tools’ of his gruesome trade. Be amazed as he recounts the nature of crime and punishment during the Georgian period, when death was the punishment for over 200 offences…you could be hanged for stealing something worth as little as a shilling – equal to 5p in modern money! Follow the Crime and Punishment Trail too – there is plenty to keep children entertained.

Time Traveller Trail

Wrest Park, Bedfordshire

Sat 15 – Sun 23 February, 11am – 4pm

Let off steam in the secret grounds and gardens of Wrest Park. Travel through time and solve our time travelling clues to win a prize. How much do you know about Wrest Park’s history? Come and visit us this half term and find out!

Family Fun Trails

Various

Sat 15 – Sun 23 Feb 2014, 11am – 4pm

Put your skills to the test this February half term with our special trails for families. Join in the fun and find the clues to win a tasty treat, while also letting off steam by exploring fascinating historic places including Tintagel Castle, Beeston Castle and Kenilworth Castle.

For more family fun events near you see the English Heritage website