Press release 4 February 2016
HALF TERM HAPPENINGS IN WILTSHIRE FEBRUARY 2016
Brilliant suggestions for the ‘disorganised’ parent
4 February 2016
Half term is early this year, putting an extra strain on busy parents who will have the children back at home quicker that was perhaps expected, or planned for. Those parents who have not yet decided how to keep the children busy over the week-long break need look no further than the picturesque county of Wiltshire.
VisitWiltshire has created its top ten list of February half term happenings – perfect for the ‘disorganised’ parent – plus it has thrown in some accommodation deals for those a little further afield who want to turn a great day out into a short break.
1. Solve clues on a Wiltshire Treasure Trail
Get the whole family to join in a Wiltshire Treasure Trail, and get the grey cells moving with some puzzle solving skills. There are 20 self-guided trails at locations across the county, which are suitable for treasure seekers of all ages.
Trails can be purchased online and cost from £6.99 per trail.
2. Catch the Gingerbread Man
Take a trip to Roves Farm, in Sevenhampton to join in the Gingerbread Race and see the classic story of the Gingerbread Man brought to life with a twist. In addition to this there will be scarecrow activities and lots of cute animals to meet.
Roves Farm is a family-run, working farm, with a Visitor Centre which enables ‘hands-on farm fun and adventure’. Entry is £9 per person (under 3s free).
3. Solve the mystery at the Salisbury Escape Room
A perfect pastime for tricky-to-entertain teenagers, Murder at the Museum-themed escape room is a one hour, nerves of steel activity which requires participants to crack a series of codes in order to solve the mystery and escape.
Sessions are £60 for up to six players.
4. Head to the theatre
Check out the famous Salisbury Playhouse for some daytime family-friendly productions this half term including Rumpelstiltskin and Windibops.
Rumpelstiltskin is suitable for 6-8 year olds, lasts 50 minutes and is on at 11am and 2pm on 16 February. Tickets cost £9. Windibops is a fartingly fun play for the whole family. It is on 17 February, with timings and costs the same as Rumpelstiltskin.
5. Hire a canoe and explore the Kennet & Avon Canal
Wrap up warm and hire a canoe from Towpath Trail in Bradford on Avon and take to the water on the Kennet & Avon Canal – idyllic any time of year. If the water doesn’t float your boat then bike hire is also available.
Canoe hire starts at £10 per hour. Bike hire is £10 per four hours for an adult, £7 per child.
6. Take part in a Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Salisbury Cathedral has an action packed half term, with host of special activities including a Teddy Bears' Picnic involving a Fab Food Hunt and some hands-on clay sessions.
7. Enjoy a great day out at Longleat
The gates of Longleat open from early February, just in time for a wild half term day out. Check out the world famous lions, penguins, tigers; take the Safari Boat out onto the lake; spot the hippos and get up close and personal to some creepy-crawlies in Animal Kingdom.
Save 15% when booking online, making an adult pass (for all Longleat attractions) £28.85 and a child pass (ages 3-15) £21.20.
8. Improve your horse riding skills at Rein and Shine
Take to the saddle at Rein and Shine to hone horse riding skills, or get in the saddle for the very first time.
Adult sessions cost £30 and child (4-15) session cost £21.
9. Paint a Nest Box for National Nest Box Week
The Whitehall Garden Centre near Lacock is hosting its own nest box painting sessions, perfect to encourage garden birds for the coming spring. Nest boxes will be provided.
Sessions are open between 10.30am and 4pm every day of half term (13-21 February) and cost £3.99 for Little Acorn Club Members and £5.99 for Non-Members.
10. Go the flicks, the ideal rainy day activity
Check out the Odeon Trowbridge for the latest screenings. Alongside the cinema you’ll find a variety of places to eat too.
Accommodation offers suitable for the whole family
The Apple Wood is a luxury secret hideaway near Warminster. The pretty log cabin, set within a woodland, sleeps four in two en-suite rooms (six if the sofa bed is used). For families booking a three-night stay (at £220) a free adult pass to Longleat is included in the price.
For those with slightly older children (8 and above), Great Ashley Farm, an award-winning B&B near Bradford on Avon, is a great option. Rooms are from £90 (B&B), and for guests booking any two consecutive nights until 24 March, the third night is half price.
The Royal Oak is a picture-perfect pub with beautifully designed hotel rooms in Swallowcliffe, near Salisbury. It is family friendly and offers adjoining rooms, sofa beds, cots and children’s beds on request. Rooms start at £100 (B&B) for two.
There is so much more to see and do in Wiltshire this half-term! Don’t forget to check out the VisitWiltshire website - it’s a great place to find out more:
• What’s On - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on
• Accommodation - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/accommodation
• Special Offers - www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/special-offers
Please note offers are subject to availability and terms and conditions may apply. To keep up to date follow us on Twitter @VisitWiltshire #timeforwiltshire and like us on Facebook.
For further information or to arrange a press visit please contact Florence Wallace, Travel Trade & PR Manager, flowallace@visitwiltshire.co.uk Tel: 01722 341309 or 07436 588860
Notes to editors:
VisitWiltshire was established in August 2011 and is the official Tourist Board for Wiltshire representing over 600 partners. It is a public/private sector membership organisation with our main funder being Wiltshire Council. VisitWiltshire's priority is to grow the county's Visitor Economy by raising awareness of the destination and generating additional tourism visits and spend. Wiltshire's Visitor Economy currently generates an estimated £1.5billion and supports over 28,000 jobs.
VisitWiltshire has an extensive photographic library, please contact Florence Wallace (above) with any requests.