February half term events in Gloucestershire 2016

It feels like we have only just celebrated the arrival of 2016 but the half term holidays are fast approaching!  Here are a selection of the best February half term events in Gloucestershire.  (Please click on the links highlighted to visit the attraction websites prior to travel as dates and activities may change). 

WWT Slimbridge
www.wwt.org.uk
Did you know that Slimbridge is the only place in the world you can see all six species of flamingo?  If this is not enough to impress your kids then they might be interested in the Really Wild Weekend taking place Saturday 13 to Sunday 14 February.  Visitors will meet exotic animals from all over the world including meerkats, armadillos, crocodiles, snakes and minibeasts.

From the 13th – 21st February visitors can also take part in the South West’s Puddle Jumping Championships at Slimbridge!  To take part in this fun event it is recommended that you wrap up warm and grab a pair of wellies to jump in puddles for a chance to win prizes.  Click here for our tips on visiting WWT Slimbridge 

Cotswolds Farm Park, Guiting Power
www.cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk
The farm park reopens on the 13th February for visitors to enjoy live lambing in addition to all the regular attractions at the park including animal encounters, animal feeding, tractor riding, digging for dinosaurs bones in the sand pits and bouncy pillows.  Click here for our tips on visiting Cotswolds Farm Park 

Court Farm Shop, Stoke Orchard
http://www.courtfarmshop.co.uk
The February half term holidays are one of the farms busiest times of the year as they will be lambing just over 400 Ewes.  All visitors need to book a slot to visit the farm although it is a FREE entrance.  Visitors with a ticket will be able to meet some of the new arrivals, learn the seasonal farming activity and if lucky enough, witness a lamb being born!  You can choose from hourly time slots between 11am and 3pm on the 18th February. (Please Note: Friday 19th & Saturday 20th February are fully booked)

Westonbirt Arboretum, Tetbury
www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt
To truly experience the great outdoors there is nowhere better to visit than Westonbirt Arboretum, home to 15,000 trees.  From now until the 29th February visitors can join Stick Man on his quest to find his family tree!  Normal admission prices apply and Stick Man activity packs are available for £3.  Click here for our tips on visiting Westonbirt Arboretum 

The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, Cheltenham
www.cheltenhammuseum.org.uk
Wednesday February 17th is Regency Day at the Wilson.  The event takes place from 10.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30 – 3.30pm.  Trek through time with history-inspired holiday workshops full of artefacts, dressing up and arty activities.

Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham
www.everymantheatre.org.uk
Book tickets to watch Chris & Pui along with their toys and characters from the popular TV show – Show Me Show Me.  This family show promises songs, comedy sketches, some magic and lots of interactive fun.  Tickets must be booked in advance.

Cattle Country Adventure Park, Berkeley
www.cattlecountry.co.uk
Cattle Country will be reopening its doors for the season on the 6th February. This attraction offer a diverse range of fun facilities for all ages including an ice rink, a boating lake, an animal experience centre, soft play areas, a playground, a castle to explore, a beach barn, jumping pillows and trampolines.  Yvonne Cox from Hedgehog Rescue will also be at the attraction on Wednesday 10th, Friday 12th, Thursday 18th and Friday 19th. She will be located in the Animal Experience Centre and will be running workshops where children can meet hedgehogs and enjoy  craft sessions.  Click here for our review of Cattle Country

Puzzlewood, Forest of Dean  
www.puzzlewood.net
Reopening its doors on the 13th February is the enchanting and unique Puzzlewood, located in the beautiful and historic Forest of Dean.  The 14 acres of ancient woodland provide the perfect place for kids to burn off some energy.  Visitors can also visit the animals, get lost in the indoor mazes, race around the toddler racing track, play on the outdoor playground, enjoy a picnic or buy food from the cafe.

Cheltenham Science Group, Cheltenham
http://www.cheltenhamsciencegroup.co.uk
A free pop-up science centre will be in the Cheltenham Regent Arcade over the February half term holidays with exhibits on loan from At-Bristol science centre.  Saturday 13th until Friday 19th February.

Dean Heritage Centre, Forest of Dean
www.deanheritagecentre.com
With five acres to explore, the centre has something for everyone including five modern galleries, outside displays, art and craft demonstrations, woodland walks and trails.

Dean Forest Railway, Forest of Dean
www.deanforestrailway.co.uk
Travel onboard a heritage diesel train from Norchard to Parkend – which is half of the normal train line for half the price.  Buy a day rover ticket and travel as much as you like throughout the day, visiting Norchard, Whitecroft and Parkend stations.  This event is taking place on February 14^th, 17^th & 21^st

Primrose Vale, Shurdington
www.primrosevale.com
Although there are no specific events planned for the half term holidays, Primrose Vale is always a great place to spend an hour or two with kids to play in the sandpit, ride the vintage tractor, play on the swings and slides or visit the rabbits.  Hot refreshments are always available to purchase from the farm shop.

 

Fancy travelling a little further for a February half term family adventure?  Here are a few attractions offering activities over the half term holidays.  They are all within short driving distance of Gloucestershire –

All Things Wild Nature Centre, Nr Evesham
www.allthingswild.co.uk
An all-weather family attraction packed full of fun activities for children (and big kids) of every age including animal encounters, den building, pond dipping, a huge indoor beach room, outdoor playground, a soft play area, reptile house and a dinosaur trail featuring over 20 life-size dinosaur replicas!  Extra activities will also be offered during the Feb half term holidays.

Warwick Castle
www.warwick-castle.com/
Many medieval activities taking place over the February half term holidays at Warwick Castle including a Trebuchet fireball spectacular show and a birds of prey and bowman demonstration in addition to the opportunity to explore the castle, grounds, towers and dungeons.  Click here to read our tips for visiting Warwick Castle

At-Bristol Science Centre
www.at-bristol.org.uk
Lots of extra activities taking place at the science centre including discovering what is cooking in the seasonal kitchen; getting hands dirty by planting in At-Bristol’s greenhouse; discovering distant stars and incredible astronomy in 3D; watching a new family Planetarium show which takes guests on a closer look at the Earth, Sun and Moon and the chance to be creative in the Invention Lab!  Click here for our review of At-Bristol

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, Burford
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
Although there are no additional events for the half term holidays there are plenty of animals and daily activities to keep kiddies entertained including – lemur and penguin feeding sessions, riding on the narrow gauge railway, petting the animals in the farmyard and 160 acres of parkland to explore.  Click here for our tips for visiting Cotswold Wildlife Park

 

Are you hosting a fun February half term event in Gloucestershire that we have not listed above?  Please do let us know all about it by commenting below!