Celebrate the May half term in Shakespeare’s England
Celebrate the May half term in Shakespeare’s England from the 24 May – 1 June with a host of exciting family activities and special events. Take part in a Tudor Hand Fasting Ceremony at Mary Arden’s Farm, experience glamping and spend the night at Warwick Castle, go rowing on a brand new canoe for 8 people down the River Avon, help Tudor World find another wife for Henry VIII or enter a wildlife competition at the National Trust properties. With so much on offer, there is something for the entire family to enjoy and experience!
The Shakespeare Houses are laying on some extra family friendly activities during half term. At Shakespeare's Birthplace experience ‘Words, Words, Words’ and test your knowledge with quizzical quotes. Join the Tudor bride and groom at Mary Arden’s Farm from the 24 – 26 May as they tie the knot and be a guest at their traditional Tudor Hand Fasting Ceremony. With music, games and a wedding feast, it promises to be quite a party! Get involved with all things woolly during ‘Woolly Week’ from 27 May - 1 Jun and watch the exciting sheep dog trials. Over at New Place & Nash's House be inspired and decorate your own theatrical Shakespearian masque to take home. Search the walled garden at Hall's Croft and hunt for animals that appear in Shakespeare's spring time poems.
Horrible Histories launches battle at Warwick Castle as part of the Castle’s 1,100th anniversary celebrations. New this year are five encampments located around the Castle’s 64 acres: Measly Middle Ages; Slimy Stuarts; Gorgeous Georgians; Vile Victorians and Smashing Saxons versus Vicious Vikings – including the first ever battle re-enactment between two time periods. New characters will show how life has been lived over the centuries: prepare for hands on fun with all the sights, sounds and smells. Take part in activities from Murder Hole Tipping to solving the Supersize Georgian Ball Maze. Glamping launches on the 24 May with 41 comfortable tents including 3 new deluxe King's tents each with a wooden four-poster bed and two thrones. Experience a night under the stars from £200 per night for a family of up to six. Guests can also get to grips with history and learn about mediaeval daily life with re-enactors who will be on site for the half-term.
Take part in ‘Medieval Mayhem’ from the 24 - 26 May at Kenilworth Castle and Gardens. In the ultimate 'Show and Tell’, curious history hunters can quiz the assembled Knights, Ladies, Archers and Squires on the truth behind tales of medieval life. What was it really like living in a castle? What does it take to become a champion archer? Which was the worst job in the court? And how often did they take a bath?! Take inspiration from their stunning displays of everything from archery and combat to courtly dancing, then try your hand at some of the skills that made up medieval life. Mischief and merriment rule the day as you play the king, knight, princess or fool of the castle.
Henry VIII is looking for another wife! Tudor World in Stratford-upon-Avon is asking children to find items around the museum to entice a 7th wife for Henry. Visitors can search for their quarry using torches to explore the exhibits; smell nasty aromas of Elizabethan England; try on hats or write a secret message using a quill plus find out what happened to Lucy, the little girl who worked in the tavern. Anyone unsuccessful (or even successful) can then participate in the family friendly Crime & Punishment Shows which will take place on selected days in the Elizabethan Theatre area. Will you be put in the stocks, the ducking stool or perhaps have your head chopped off? On the 24 & 31 May, children can also meet Mr G Buster and enjoy a family friendly ghost tour at 5.30pm.
Marble machines, water clocks, holograms and whimsical automata - interact with a whole host of NEW weird and wonderful contraptions at the only museum of its kind in the UK – The MAD Museum. Located in the centre of Stratford upon Avon, The MAD (Mechanical Art and Design) Museum’s unusual array of Kinetic Art and Automata has been handcrafted by some of the cleverest and craziest inventors in the world. Immerse yourself in the eccentric world of mechanical art. If you’re into your science, engineering, art or you’re just looking for an entertaining couple of hours – The MAD Museum is the place for you. There are buttons to press, handles to turn, lights, colours, weird sounds and laugh-out-loud moments for the whole family to enjoy. Experience the imagination of marvellous minds.
Have fun rowing with up to 8 people on Avon Boating’s brand new big canoe! The canoe is the first of its kind and not available anywhere else in the UK. Ideal for large families or groups of friends, it is easy to paddle and everyone can have a go. The cost to hire for an hour is £5 for adults, £3 for children and £15 for a family.
As part of the Heritage Motor Centre’s special 21st birthday celebrations, children of all ages are encouraged to join in with a special ‘BUILD-a-Car’ week. With the HMC hosting a special ‘21 motoring icons’ exhibition from 2 May, children can come along and take part in hands-on activities using materials from Lego to paper to celebrate all things motoring, and see if they have what it takes to be the next British motoring icon!
The Classic Car & Transport Show returns to Ragley for its 22nd year on Sunday 25 & Monday 26 May from 10am – 5pm. Thousands of visitors are expected to attend this popular and nostalgic event as over 600 vintage, classic, American, kit and custom cars as well as motorcycles and commercial vehicles converge for the show. There will be a special display of American cars on the grassed area leading up to the Hall on the Monday. In addition there will be numerous club and trade stands and an Auto-jumble. Arena attractions will include the Piston Ring Youth Motorcycle Team, a falconry display and children’s inflatables.
Be brave and hunt for ghosts at Hathaway Tea Rooms, a splendid 400 year old building in Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday 17 May. The evening begins at 7.30pm with a 2-course meal and ends at 1am. The price is just £34.95 per person. To book tickets please contact Ghost Hunt Live by visiting ticketsource.co.uk/event/53079
Children are invited to pick up their pencils and enter the National Trust’s wildlife drawing competition which will take place at Coughton Court, Upton House, Packwood House, Baddesley Clinton and Charlecote, The creator of the winning picture, inspired by the wildlife, will receive a half-day’s drawing lesson from artist Shelly Perkins and have their picture printed onto canvas for them to hang in their home. Children aged 12 years and under can find out more at their local National Trust place or visit nationaltrust.org.uk/newadventures for details, as well as handy downloadable wildlife spotters’ sheets to help them identify the birds, beasts and blooms that they might find.
Book a fun packed family break at the 4 star Ardencote Manor Hotel situated close to Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon. Whether you stay for 2 or 5 nights, you and your family will enjoy accommodation in a Family Room, full English Breakfast each morning, use of the Leisure Club, 10% discount on pre-booked Spa Treatments, a free 3-course dinner on one evening, free children’s ticket to a Midlands attraction and free access to the 'Family Zone' with a selection of games. A 2 Night Family Break costs from £215 per family.
Dine from the new Spring Al-a-Carte Menu in the award winning Quills Restaurant at The Stratford and enjoy 20% off the bill during May including half term and bank holidays. The offer is valid for parties of up to a maximum of 4. Reservations are essential and the offer must be quoted when booking. In addition, the hotel is offering 25% off overnight accommodation throughout May and the summer school holidays. Offers are subject to availability and are available online. Also new for half term is the new Clock Tower Garden which opens on the 16 May. Families can dine outside and receive 20% off their bill during the May half term. ‘ShakespearesEngland’ must be quoted to obtain the discount.
Enjoy an acoustic night on the terrace at The Holiday Inn in Stratford-upon-Avon on the 24 May. With baroque style furniture, luxurious log burning chimenea, stylish canopies and lantern lighting overlooking the River Avon, the heated Terrace is a striking place to take in the magical atmosphere. Enjoy a tasty platter and a stunning acoustic performance from a local artist. Starts from 7pm and its free for everyone to enjoy!
With so much family friendly activity happening, Shakespeare’s England is the place to visit this half term to keep the whole family entertained!
For more suggestions and family friendly accommodation in Shakespeare’s England visit shakespeares-england.co.uk
