February Half Term in Cheshire

February half term is a welcome break to recover from any lingering January blues and lack of get-up-and-go on dark, gloomy mornings! Use the holiday to wrap up warm and re-energise by heading out of the house and visiting the array of special events and activities that are going on all around you. You don’t always need to dig deep into those pockets for a fun filled family day out - there are lots of options to suit every budget, it's just a case of finding the right one for your family! Here’s our round up of the best places to visit in the weeks to come to ensure all your family fun is covered.

There’s trouble at t’mill this February Half Term!

Become a factory inspector at Quarry Bank and try out the brand new family trail in the mill created by children’s author Philip Ardagh and illustrated by Jamie Littler. Have a go at different jobs and find out what dangers the children working in the mill faced each day. Don’t forget to collect your stamps in your inspection booklet and make your Factory Inspector badge. Join in with an interactive show for all ages and experience a comedic look a health and safety in the mill where you become the Factory Inspector. Spot the accidents waiting to happen and learn why mills were such dangerous places, putting profit over health and safety. W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/quarry-bank

Kick off your February half term at the National Football Museum!

Discover how football became the game of our lives in the freshly updated galleries and follow the ups and downs of the national teams in a brand new exhibition, England on the World Stage. Take part in daily tours and trails, test your skills on interactive games and get your hands on their silverware as many times as you like, all for just £25 per family for a full year (based on 2 adults, 2 children). There’s also free entry for City of Manchester residents. W: www.bit.ly/nfm-transformed

Become an Eco Explorer this holiday at Gordale’s

Gordale’s in-store attraction Eco Explorer opens on 16th February in time for half term entertainment! It’s designed specifically for children to provide educational, interactive fun and cleverly combines a traditional activity with mobile phone technology! To start, simply download the free Eco Explorer app and head to Gordale Garden and Home. Using a mobile phone and the Eco Explorer app, you then search for ten signs along the trail. Scan the signs to play games which are linked to the primary science curriculum and will help familiarise children with their environment. Points are collected as they go, and these can be added to a school’s leader board for inter-school competition. Bonus points are also awarded to the child’s school if they participate at different venues and winning schools receive free science visits. W: www.gordale.co.uk

Visit Jodrell Bank this half term and get set to blast off!

From the 16th-22nd February, visit Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, a world-leading deep space observatory in the heart of Cheshire, to discover all the latest advances in space travel and astronomical research. Get set to blast off to out of this world shows, sessions, tours and activities. Explore rocket trips in space with your under 7’s, enjoy explosive science shows and get your chance to meet an expert and ask all the questions you’ve ever wanted to. You’ll also get an opportunity to take a tour around the base of the Lovell Telescope. All events and activities at Jodrell Bank are included in general admission. W: www.jodrellbank.net

Calling all sorcerers – the Wizard Academy has steamed into town!

Get set for a spellbinding steam powered adventure as you board the Wizarding Express for your first day of term at the Grand Old School of Wizardry! A mob of malevolent magicians has made off with one of the schools magical artefacts, and it is up to you and the school’s sorcerous staff to get it back, and practise your wand waving, on this interactive adventure. Tickets cost £14 per adult and £9.50 per child – don’t miss out, check out their website for academy dates and book your magical tickets today! T: 0333 320 2830 W: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Tractors & treats at Ness Gardens

Join the gang at Ness Gardens this February half term as they play host to a variety of activities to delight all ages, and treats to keep the little ones happy. Their winter market starts the half term on Saturday 16th February, and then throughout the week they have daily Snowdrop Winter Trails. Take a wander around the gardens and pay a visit to the children’s play area and ride on tractors. Once you’re done, call in to the Botanic Kitchen and enjoy a free giant cookie with every child’s meal. W: www.liverpool.ac.uk/ness-gardens/whats-on/events-ness/

Embark on an exciting Superhero and Princess Adventure Trail at Blakemere!

Now in its 25th year, Blakemere Village is home to wonderful shops and attractions, including craft workshops for children and their grown-ups, a playbarn, daily outdoor activities plus food outlets, all set in the heart of Cheshire. Even better, the village is free to enter and offers free parking! So head along during the February half term where highlights include the Superheroes and Princesses trail, a brilliant fun adventure around the village in search of everyone’s favourite Superheroes & Princesses. It’s a great trail for children aged 3-11 years and maps can be purchased for £3 from the Visitor Information Centre daily between 10am-4pm. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, Blakemere Village have also launched a loyalty card offering four children’s trails for the price of three throughout 2019. W: wwwblakemerevillage.com

Lambs herald spring at Reaseheath College

Families should flock to Reaseheath College, Nantwich, on 2nd/3rd & 9th/10th March for their popular lambing weekends. Visitors of all ages can enjoy meeting the newborns and some may be lucky enough to experience a live birth! Around 1,000 lambs are expected, so there’s always lots of action. Reaseheath’s zoo is also open so there’s a full day of family fun on offer. The collection includes meerkats, lemurs, monkeys, otters, birds of prey, rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles and fish. W: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/lambing