School's out for summer
The summer holidays are almost upon us - fun for children but, daunting for mums and dads worrying how to keep the kids entertained for a whole six weeks. That's why VisitEngland has put together a roundup of some of the country's newest experiences, from giant Gromit trails and Poohsticks to knight's glamping and pop-up beaches, there's guaranteed to be something to keep the kids entertained this summer.
Spot the dog, Bristol
Families can play 'spot the dog' in Bristol by following a trail of 80 giant Gromits, modeled on the iconic and triple Oscar-winning animated character. The giant hand-painted sculptures of Gromit will be let loose in Bristol from Monday 1 July for ten weeks in a major new public art trail called Gromit Unleashed. Each Gromit has been uniquely designed by artists and celebrities including Zayn Malik from One Direction, The Snowman creator Raymond Briggs and Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park.
gromitunleashed.org.uk
The House at Pooh Corner, Hampshire
From 13 July to 15 September, explore the wonderful world of a boy and his bear, when Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood are celebrated at the idyllic setting of National Trust property Mottisfont in Hampshire. On show for the first time in the UK, visitors can enjoy 36 hand-painted illustrations by E.H. Shepard, created for the books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Children can experience Pooh inspired forest escapades for themselves, when they embark on Winnie-the-Pooh's Great "Expotition" at Mottisfont - a trail which will see families racing Poohsticks along the River Test, tree climbing and tracking a Woozle, building a house of sticks just like Eeyore's, designing a trap for any unexpected Heffalumps, and in true Pooh style making up songs and creating stories.
nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/things-to-see-and-do/events
Summer Spelltacular, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
This summer, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter invites kids to delve into the world of spell casting, potions and wizard duels as it hosts its first Summer Spells feature. Visitors will discover first-hand how spells such as Wingardium Leviosa came to life on screen and how the wand movements that accompanied them were developed. Children will be able to learn wand battle choreography and take part in special effects demonstrations, created by BAFTA-winning Special Effects Supervisor John Richardson, between 26th July and 2nd September.
wbstudiotour.co.uk
Walk with dinosaurs, Isle of Wight
This year sees the 20th anniversary of Jurassic Park and the release of Walking with Dinosaurs so 2013 is being dubbed the 'year of the dinosaur'. To celebrate, Dinosaur Island (aka Isle of Wight) is inviting people to cross the Solent and search for prehistoric remains using an augmented reality app. New technology, which can only be activated on the island, takes visitors on a trail to six coastal locations where they can take a picture of their family and friends walking alongside the dinosaurs that roamed the Isle of Wight 130 million years ago, while at the same time learning more about their relatives - the dinosaur characters in the movie Walking with Dinosaurs. A hop-on/hop-off bus service, which takes in all six of the locations, will run until 14th November and costs £10 for adults, £5 for children.
visitisleofwight.co.uk/dinosaur-island
Knight's Glamping at Leeds Castle, Kent
Dubbed the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds Castle in Kent is now offering families the chance to escape to the countryside for a glamorous camping holiday. Located just under an hour's drive from London, eight traditionally coloured striped tents based on medieval design, form a 'village' on the one-acre castle vineyard. Each tent is equipped with a luxury four poster bed, log burning stove, crisp cotton bedding and cosy fur throws. By day, explore the magnificent castle stately rooms and lose yourself in the spiralling yew maze made up of 2,400 trees, and at night, sleep under canvas in a spectacular setting in the grounds of this majestic 900 year old castle.
leeds-castle.com
Festival of Neighbourhood on London's Southbank
Watch the Southbank transform into London's friendliest neighbourhood as giant art, roof gardens, allotments and a beach pop-up at the Festival of Neighbourhood until 8th September. Visit the Beano exhibit, this Dennis the Menace British classic celebrates 75 years in 2013, watch circus theatre and cabaret at the London Wonderground and build sandcastles on the pop-up beach. Should the skies open, head to the Imperial War Museum, which partially reopens on 29th July with family exhibition Horrible Histories: Spies.
southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/festival-of-neighbourhood
iwm.org.uk
Horrible Histories at Warwick Castle
For more Horrible Histories, head to Warwick Castle to see the foulest and funniest moments in our history brought to life at Britain's Ultimate Castle. From 20th July - 1st September the castle is helping children's classic, Horrible Histories, celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting five Horrible Histories camps around the castle grounds. Visitors can meet the Terrible Tudors, including Henry VIII and his royal executioner, visit the Vile Victorians classroom, meet The Stormin' Normans and even encounter the Vicious Vikings. England's history has never been so fun, the only question is - are you brave enough? 20th July - 1st September
warwick-castle.com
Build sand castles in a real castle, Oxford
Oxford will soon have a beach, with 23 tonnes of sand, deck chairs and palm trees to be deposited in Oxford Castle. From 24th June visitors to the historic Oxford Castle Quarter should don their best swimsuit for coastal-esque entertainment such as petanque, beach volleyball, Punch & Judy, BBQs, or just to simply bask in the sunshine.
Go wild at Pensthorpe, Norfolk
Reject technology and go wild this summer at WildRootz at Pensthorpe Wildlife & Gardens in Norfolk - a brand new £1million attraction geared up to connect children with rural England. The new two acre activity area runs through woods and children can play splash through streams, build castles in sandpits, build dens, explore underground burrows and fly through the trees on zip wires. Switch the computer off and visit this 'Healthy Play' attraction from 26th July.
pensthorpe.com
Take Winston's Whistle Stop Tour, go on safari and have a cracking time on the world's only Wallace & Gromit ride
This summer sees some exciting new rides pop up at some of the country's top theme parks. Drayton Manor Theme Park launches Winston's Whistle Stop Tour on 19th July. Featuring the willing, loyal and extremely helpful Winston who will be on hand to assist The Fat Controller with his terrible driving skills, passengers will be taken around Thomas Land on a themed guided monorail tour. Meanwhile, Chessington's new safari experience, ZUFARI, lets visitors ride in safari trucks through the extreme terrain to explore a new reserve with flamingos, giraffes and rhinos. Theme park fans should also head to Blackpool Pleasure Beach and step inside Wallace's slippers for a cracking adventure on Thrill-O-Matic - the world's only Wallace & Gromit ride. Thrill-O-Matic takes a trip through Wallace & Gromit's adventures, from A Grand Day Out, trying out The Wrong Trousers, and having A Close Shave before dealing with A Matter of Loaf and Death and tackling The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
draytonmanor.co.uk
chessington.com
blackpoolpleasurebeach.com/wallaceandgromit
