With many events free and some half price, Shropshire’s half term action this February is perfect for budget-conscious families. Highlights include:
Lambing Live at Park Hall Countryside Attraction in Oswestry
Every year 16 million ewes give birth in the UK, with lambing taking place anytime between November and May. But at the Park Hall Countryside Attraction in Oswestry, their lambs are timed to arrive in time for the tourist attraction’s Lambing Live event from February 18-26. Visitors to the venue can meet the new lambs in their indoor animal barn and enjoy a talk from a member of the Park Hall team about their new arrivals. All the usual farm activities are included in the ticket price too. From rabbits in Burrowland and a train ride through Goat Towers to indoor and outdoor play, tractor rides and the role-play village experience. Afternoon tickets from £9.95pp with under 2yrs free. www.parkhallfarm.co.uk
Test flights, drone challenges and free STEM fun at Shropshire’s RAF Museum Midlands
Lovers of planes, history and science are in for some free half term fun at Shropshire’s RAF Museum Midlands in Cosford this 18-24 February. From a mini quadcopter challenge (teams have to modify their drone to fly whatever situation is thrown at them – from tracking polar bears in the arctic, looking for illegal elephant poachers in the desert or monitoring ocean plastic), to rocket launching, test guiding spheros through a maze and creating a cargo drop contraption, the Museum’s free STEM Week activities will offer a packed programme of challenges.
Families on the day will also be able to visit the museum’s other exhibits charting the history of the RAF, with a large collection iconic aircraft from Spitfires to Valiants, VR simulators and a fascinating Falklands at 40 and National Cold War Exhibition. rafmuseum.org/midlands. Open daily from 10.00am, admission is free although VR activities are subject to a fee.
Go to the Moon for free at Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery
Launching in time for half term is The Moon, Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery’s major new spring exhibition (18 February – 16 April 2023). The FREE event charts 5,000 years of humankind’s fascination with Earth’s celestial neighbour and brings to life historic moments in lunar discovery and exploration. Throughout half term there will be a series of workshops and activities with the chance to touch real Moon rock. For more information: www.shropshiremuseums.org.uk/event/the-moon
Half price entry to Chronicles of Narnia wonderland at Shropshire’s Eccentric Hawkstone Follies
A myriad of magical caves, a 150-step spiral staircase tower, crevices and a hermit house it’s little wonder that the Hawkstone Park Follies were used as a filming location for the Chronicles of Narnia. Perfect for families who love exploring and walking. The extensive 200-year-old pleasure garden is a mix-match of whimsical and fabricated follies which sit alongside natural cliffs and crags. Open 10am-3pm, this half term (18-26th February) the site is offering 50%-off usual prices with pre-booked online tickets costing £6.12 adults, £4.37 children and £18.17 families (2+2) https://www.hawkstoneparkfollies.co.uk/
Families attending Shropshire’s Kids Festival won’t know where to start at this two-day event which brings together hundreds of activities in one place. Aimed at 0-12yrs the festival will transform Telford’s International Centre into a family fun palace this February 18-19th. Obstacle courses, a battalion of inflatables with a helter skelter slide, space hopper racing, nerf wars, roller disco, cheerleading, bubble football, a teddy bear vet school, podcast, baking and bee workshops are some of the events being staged daily. With all activities included in the price, children tickets cost £22.50 and adults £11.50 with family (2 +2) £59.50 https://www.shropshirekidsfest.co.uk/.
Save 15% on family-friendly accommodation: stay at Love2Stay, which is centrally located and is offering 15% savings on stays through January and February. The glamping and lodge site offers an onsite adventure playground, lake for fishing and cold-water swimming for the wet-suit clad brave, plus kayaking, SUP and cinema. Families will also love the pizza pods which can be hired by the hour for home-made pizza parties. Super family and dog friendly (there’s even a dog agility course). Love2Stay features 40 luxury lodges and safari-style glamping tents, all with heating and cosy-warm with their own hot tub, fully equipped SMEG kitchens, sumptuous bedrooms and stylish bathrooms. Love2Stay (www.love2stay.co.uk) can offer a three-night stay during February half term from £693 based on up to six sharing.
