Celebrate half-term in Shakespeare Country

Celebrate the May half term from 23 - 31 May with a range of fun and exciting activities for all the family in Shakespeare Country.

From the ‘Great Warwick Whitsun Joust’ to falconry displays and Tudor Festivals to exhilarating go-karting, classic car shows and mini exhibitions, there is something for all ages to enjoy.

Visit Mary Arden’s Farm over the bank holiday weekend to see Warwickshire’s biggest ever Tudor Festival. Enjoy music, dancing, feasting, archery, Tudor games, falconry and traditional craft stalls. Experience Hall’s Croft, the Jacobean doctor’s house and discover how herbs can harm or heal. Wander through the Knot Garden at Nash’s House & New Place and share in some of the beautiful poetry on show.

See 120 pots of sweet peas at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage, the most romantic of the Shakespeare Houses. Take part in Gardener’s Question Time on 30 May at 2.30pm when the head gardener Barry Locke and his award-winning team endeavour to solve all your gardening problems.

From 23 – 31 May, take part in the Great Warwick Whitsun Joust at Warwick Castle. Watch this amazing spectacle as brave, heroic knights battle it out in their bid to woo the princesses. In addition, the world’s largest siege machine the Trebuchet will be firing twice a day. Meet characters from times past, beautiful princesses, cooks, bowmen, blacksmiths, rat catchers and plague victims.

Marvel at the stunning Birds of Prey displays, as the awesome raptors swoop from the Castle’s Towers and Ramparts. Prepare for battle in Kingmaker, come face to face with the Castle’s darkest history in The Castle Dungeon, relive a Victorian Royal Weekend and marvel at the grandeur of the Great Hall and State Rooms.

Children can take part in an action packed, fun filled festival at Kenilworth Castle from 24 – 29 May. Learn what it takes to become a knight of the realm, take part in circus skills workshops, enjoy puppet shows, falconry displays, face painting, follow the treasure trail and enjoy making sand castles at the Victorian beach.

Enjoy the ‘Art, Design and A Taste of Summer’ show at Blenheim Palace from 23 - 25 May featuring a hundred exhibitors showing exquisite artwork, precious jewellery, hand carved sculptures, stained glass, ceramics and photography. Also featured will be fine leather goods, designer clothing and Cliff Wright, illustrator of two of the Harry Potter books demonstrating his superb skills.

‘A Taste of Summer’ will feature a Food Theatre, Chocolate Heaven marquee plus top local chefs. Take advantage of the ‘Buy one day, get 12 months free’ offer for unlimited days out this year.

During half term week the Stratford Butterfly Farm will be offering talk and handling sessions for children to get up close to the butterflies and insects. This unique experience will enable children to learn about some of the largest and most spectacular butterflies plus the chance to handle insects at 11.30am and 2.30pm each day.

See creepy creatures for the first time through the drawings and descriptions of eighteenth century explorer, Thomas Pennant. Have a close look at specimens of creepy creatures and make your own out of recycled materials at the Alcester Roman Heritage Centre on 26 May. On 27 May meet and handle some real creepy creatures in the garden of St John’s House Museum.

Experience the thrill of go-karting during half term at Mr Karting. Take part in Junior Race School on Saturday 24 May from 9:15am – 12 noon. From 25 – 29 May ‘Arrive and Drive’ sessions will take place from 10am - 6pm with ‘Happy Hour’ sessions from 4pm – 6pm. Each day a trophy will be awarded to the fastest under 16 boy and under 16 girl.

Wander around a new exhibition commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Mini at the Heritage Motor Centre. Find out how the Mini became part of the social history of the nation and read nostalgic collections of Mini stories. From 23 – 31 May enjoy outdoor fun with go-karts & the 4x4 experience.

On 24 May take part in the Mini match box motors family activity, a free drop in family activity held in the Education Room from 11am – 3pm. Take part in learner driving experiences for 15+yrs in dual controlled vehicles from 26 - 29 May. On 31 May make your own Mini model and enjoy this free self guided activity in the new exhibition.

From 25 – 31 May enjoy a number of Italian themed activities at Compton Verney. Explore wild weather and shipwrecks in the Naples collection with a storyteller. Make your own exploding volcano based on Volaires painting of Vesuviu and visit the café for pizza or pasta.

Ragley Hall hosts its Classic Car Show from 24 – 25 May. Enjoy a fun day out with a wide range of classic and unusual cars on show, stalls and entertainment. From 26 – 31 May follow the Transport Trail around the park and woodlands keeping an eye out for transport clues on the way and have a go at making paper planes in the Craft Area. On 31 May bring along old and unwanted toys and set up a stall by the lake from your car boot. It’s a great opportunity for children to make some extra pocket money or buy some great new toys!

Join in a number of events at the Almonry Heritage Centre in Evesham. On 23 May learn how to throw your own pots with local potter, Matt Grimmet. From 23 – 30 May, follow a Pottery Trail where children can also take part in the Pottery Archaeology activity and design their own abbey tile. On 30 May join ghost hunters for an overnight ghost vigil with Fright Nights. For over 18s only.

Enjoy family fun on the Bank Holiday Monday at Sulgrave Manor. Children can dress up as they did in the 16th Century and experience how they lived and played at the Manor during Tudor times. Meet Robert Washington to find out about unusual objects. Write with quill pens, follow the trails and take home a brass rubbing. During half term children can enjoy tours, trails and games.

Join Upton House & Gardens for their ‘Family Garden Food Trail’ on Monday 25 May from 1 - 4pm. Discover what the family would have grown and eaten in the 1930s, with garden themed activities and Vegetable Bingo trail. From 25 – 29 May enjoy an art exhibition by artists from the Heart of England at Hill Close Gardens in Warwick. Paintings will be for sale in the Visitor Centre from 9am - 5pm daily.

For theatre and attraction tickets, accommodation, brochures, special offers and more information visit the official website - shakespeare-country.co.uk.