February Half Term

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 special activities that are going on. We’ve highlighted the best, inside and out, so you’re family fun is guaranteed!

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

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

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

Round up the team and head to the National Football Museum to discover how football became the game of our lives in their freshly updated galleries, and follow the ups and downs of the national teams in their 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

All the fun of the fair at the Science and Industry Museum

Roll up! Roll up! The fair is coming to town this half term. From the 16th-24th February, scream your way down the Helter-Skelter, win a prize on Hook-a-Duck and race your horse on the Carousel at the Victorian style fairground. Want to make sure you’ll get on all the rides? Book your tickets in advance on their website and get 6 rides for the price of 5 (t’s & c’s apply). After you’ve filled up on candy floss, pick up a family trail and take an electrifying adventure through their major exhibition Electricity: The spark of life. Plus, there’s a chance to get a job in a cotton mill and take a closer look at the Power Hall engines with their daily demonstrations. W: www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.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