Family fun this half term in Shakespeare Country
Enjoy a host of exciting family fun activities in Shakespeare Country this half term from 28 May – 5 June.
From award-winning RSC performances of Macbeth & The Merchant of Venice, sorcery, swords and swashbuckling adventure at Warwick Castle to seeing original costumes from famous Sci-Fi movies, haunted pub walks, a Tudor Festival, Classic Car Show, ‘Amazing Ants’ and go-karting, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Visit Warwick Castle for sorcery, swords and swashbuckling adventure with Merlin: The Dragon Tower. The attraction is the world’s first ever experience inspired by the BBC One hit family show and gives visitors the chance to experience the magic of the Arthurian legend first hand. Budding princesses will be able to learn how to prepare for their very own Prince Charming at the delightful Princess Tower. The popular tower has been given a makeover with an exciting new home in a tower previously unseen by guests. Riding to the Castle grounds in time for Whitsun, the majestic Jousting Knights will leave the audience spellbound with their equestrian prowess and splendid pageantry. Using their bravery, skill and agility, the knights will dazzle families of all ages with this spectacle. Catch the Warwick Warriors, who will showcase their arsenal of weapons and teach the art of mediaeval battle.
Sit back and enjoy productions of Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Cardenio and The City Madam by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Plus look at Folio, an exhibition of Shakespeare-inspired prints created by students, staff and artists from the Royal College of Art. 2011 marks the RSC’s 50th Birthday, and ‘A History of the RSC in 50 Objects’ is an exhibition of items that gives an insight into 50 years of RSC theatre-making. Work with artist Shane Waltener on creating your own sugar artwork to be mounted on the wall of the Swan Room as part of a project called Sweet Celebrations. Children can make masks or create a costume or explore the building with the Family Trail. On Sunday 29 May at 7.30pm in the RST there is a one-off script in hand performance of Les Liasions Dangereuses, and on Saturday 4 June at 10am in the Swan Theatre there is as celebration of The Dillen, which in 1983 saw over 200 Stratford people work with a cast of professional actors.
Enjoy performances from Shakespeare’s works by Shakespeare Aloud at Shakespeare’s Birthplace. Join the live Dig for Shakespeare on the site of his last home at Nash’s House & New Place. Watch archaeologists and volunteers as they excavate the trenches, talk to experts, and help sieve the spoil for artefacts which could unlock the mysteries of the site. At Hall’s Croft see costumes, designs and programmes in the RSC’s “A History of the RSC in 50 objects” exhibition. Take part in Nature Detective activities in the Woodland Walk at Anne Hathaway’s Cottage. Enjoy an action packed weekend of Tudors and their treasured sheep at Mary Arden’s Farm Tudor Festival & Sheep Shearers Feast from 28 – 30 May. Join in with sheep shearing, weaving and spinning to dancing, feasting and much more.
Meet the other Doctor for some ‘twistory’ – a twisted history lesson at the Creaky Cauldron – Where Magic Begins. Dr Thaddeus Bombay, the world’s original time wizard, will emerge from his time travel machine ‘The MaTiLDA’ and take children on a magical romp through wizarding history. Children will find out the truth about historical events told from a wizarding point of view. Twistory will take place every day and is included within the museum entrance fee. As part of the Stratford Fringe Festival, The Dark Arts Theatre Company will present ‘Secret Agent Man – the Life and Times of Dr John Dee’. Visitors can enjoy a 45 minute romp through history with the world’s first secret agent, Dr John Dee from 27 May – 5 June.
Visit the Stratford Butterfly Farm for family fun with glitter tattoos, face painting and live music as part of the Stratford Fringe Festival on 30 May & 1 & 3 June, all at no extra cost! The Butterfly Farm will also have its ‘Amazing Ants’ display on during half term. Watch the colony of Leafcutter Ants as they march high above on a rope walkway stretching 25 metres to carry leaves. Learn some fascinating facts about these amazing insects and see up to 2,000 stunning tropical exotic butterflies fly around you.
Enjoy quizzes, live music and a Shakespearian Haunted Pub Walk at The Falstaff Experience. Join musical actress Nicola Guest on the 28 May and musical teaching stalwart Nicola Jubb on the 29 May for live music in the courtyard as part of the Stratford Fringe Festival. Take part in a Shakespearian Haunted Pub Walk on 3 June. Dashing Jack, the costumed tour guide, will lead you through Stratford to visit haunted taverns and find out about the loves and inspirations of William Shakespeare! From 28 May - 5 June find out if you would make a good Elizabethan Spy in the Secret Service Quiz.
Go mad for Sci-Fi at the Heritage Motor Centre from 28 May – 5 June. See the Sci-Fi at the Movies exhibition, complete with weaponry and costumes of some of your favourite Sci-Fi superheroes and villains. Daily quiz sheets and colouring activities will be available, whilst on 2 June there will be Sci-Fi themed family craft activities from 11am - 3pm. Make a Dr. Who door hanger, Spiderman mask or a Harry Potter wand – just a few of the activities available. Normal museum admission prices apply and children can take home what they make.
Enjoy a day out at the Classic Car Show at Ragley Hall on 29 & 30 May. A wide range of clubs will be displaying their classic cars and motorbikes, with a special VW day on the 30 May. There will also be an autojumble, children’s activities and all of Ragley’s usual attractions including the House, Gardens and Adventure Playground to explore.
Visit Compton Verney for a host of exciting family activities from 30 May - 3 June. Paint seascapes onto materials at the ‘Make do and paint’ workshop. Squeeze a seascape onto a matchbox or paint a boat on a box lid. Meet puppets Connie and Verne and take part in the sea-themed storytelling for under 5s with ‘Stories and rhymes’. Both activities are included in the price of admission.
Drayton Manor Theme Park will unveil a new family ride this half-term. Opening on 28 May in Thomas Land, Blue Mountain Engines will feature four carriages, each based on new characters from Skarloey Railway; Sir Handle, Skarloey, Rheneas and Peter Sam. There’s no better time to see cute baby animals than during Love Your Zoo Week (30 May - 5 June), and Drayton Manor Zoo has had a baby boom. The new additions to the 15-acre zoo include a capybara, twin ring-tailed lemurs and twin cotton topped tamarins.
Take part in wildlife activities at the National Herb Centre. Find the butterflies hiding around the centre with a ‘Butterfly Hunt’ from 30 May —5 June with free yummy treat when returning your form. ‘Really Wild Activities’ takes place on 5 June with Den Building, Pond Dipping and a Bug Detective workshop.
Experience an exhilarating go-karting ride at Mr Karting which is offering 3 x 10 minute Arrive & Drive sessions during half term. The three sessions will cost £20 per person instead of the usual price of £25. This offer is only available weekdays between 10am - 6 pm and you must book and pay in advance.
For accommodation, special offers and more information visit the official website: Shakespeare-Country.co.uk
