What an amazing array of activities this February half-term. All the National Trust properties are offering fun-filled events, and there’s plenty of other highlights too – from battle reenactments, to blowing glass, to bird bingo! Something for everyone. Let us know if we’ve missed something.
Live Lambing this February Half Term
The Big Sheep
The Big Sheep Abbotsham
Bideford
North Devon
EX39 5AP
Join us for February Half Term at the BIG Sheep and meet the first lambs of the season. You might even be lucky enough to see one being born! Come along to the BIG Sheep’s award winning family attraction in Bideford, North Devon and be entertained by Devon’s friendliest ‘flock’ and enjoy a fun-filled family day out. Enjoy our rides and timetable of live shows throughout the week all for an ultra low price especially for February half term!
Cotehele
near Saltash, Cornwall
An atmospheric Tudor house with Medieval roots, a working mill on an historic quay, a glorious garden with valley views and an expansive estate to explore.
Bird bingo at Cotehele
Throughout half-term
10:00-16:00
Children will discover more about the birds that live at Cotehele as they explore the garden and countryside with this fun trail.
Blind date with a book
Throughout half-term
11:00-16:00
Don’t judge a book by its cover – choose one based on the clues and find a new read to fall in love with this February in the Brewery Bookshop.
Feed the birds at Cotehele (and back home)
Throughout half-term
11:00-15:00
This February half-term head to the Cider Barn to create your own bird feeder to help feed the birds in your garden at home.
Apple grafting weekend at Cotehele
15 -16 Feb 2020
11:00-16:00
Come along for a weekend of apple grafting workshops.
Tintagel Old Post Office
Tintagel, Cornwall
One of the Trust’s most delightful medieval buildings, enhanced by a cottage garden
Upper crust
Throughout half-term
11:00-15:30
Uncover the meanings behind the old sayings we know and love as the Old Post Office is opened up for February half term.
Cloam oven firings
Mon 17 Feb 2020
11:00-13:00
Enjoy the sight and smell of the cloam oven baking traditional Cornish treats.
Castle Drogo
near Exeter, Devon
Nothing is normal. Dramatic castle overlooking the Teign Gorge, undergoing a conservation project to make it watertight
Helping nature trail
Throughout half-term
11:00-16:00
Explore the grounds and learn new ways to help look after nature.
Wild Tribe
Sun 16 Feb 2020
11:00-15:00
Join the Wild Tribe at Castle Drogo for bushcraft activities for children aged between 5-12. No booking required, drop in, first come first served. Free event. 16 February: Make a home for nature.
Lydford Gorge
’50 things’ stick trail
Throughout half-term
10:00-15:00
Look out for the stick activity stations on a walk to Whitelady Waterfall.
Build a bird box
Sat 15 Feb 2020
12:00-15:00
Come along to Lydford Gorge to make your own bird box – materials and guidance provided by the ranger team.
Fun with fire
Tue 18 Feb 2020
12:00-14:00
Learn how to light a fire without matches, and then mix up some tasty dough to cook on a stick over the campfire.
Bug home making
Fri 21 Feb 2020
10:30-13:30
Construct a home for all sorts of beneficial insects to improve your garden or window box.
Half term at Rosemoor
Rosemoor Gardens,
Torrington
Throughout-half-term
Bring your wellies, grab a jacket and join us ‘Whatever the Weather’ for fun family activities this holiday: 15 – 23 February 2020
‘Whatever the Weather’ family garden trail
15 – 23 February 2020
Daily, 10am – 5pm
Come on a family adventure around Rosemoor and learn all about the wild weather of the UK. Don’t forget your wellies for puddle splashing! Free with normal garden admission.
Drop-in craft workshops:
17 – 21 February 2020
Get creative with our drop-in craft workshops and enjoy a different activity each weekday. Free with normal garden admission.
Activities available 11am–12.45pm and 2–3.45pm
Monday 17 February – Forest faces and Mud monsters
Wrap up warm for this outdoor activity, as we make monster faces on trees in the woodland using leaves, sticks, moss and pebbles. Decorate one of Rosemoor’s trees or take your monster home to decorate a tree in your own garden.
Tuesday 18 February – Fishy weather sock
Create a weather sock from card and paper to see which way the wind is blowing.
Wednesday 19 February – Personalised weather slate
Discover a fun way to forecast the weather.
Thursday 20 February – Nature’s own mud bowls
Forage for natural materials in Rosemoor’s woods and use them to decorate your own handmade clay bowl.
Friday 21 February – Winter bugs
Come and make your very own bug. Take it home to hang it in your bedroom.
We advise that children wear old clothing or bring a change of clothes as we can’t guarantee that your little ones won’t get messy!
Half Term Glass Hand Casting
18th – 20th Feb
Dartington Crystal
Linden Close
Torrington
EX38 7AN
Handcasting is back for three days this half term! Have your hand or foot print cast forever in glass. An amazing experience to watch and the end result is a beautiful keepsake. Why not get it engraved too for that extra personal touch. Call our Visitors Centre on 01805 626242 to make your booking on either Tuesday 18th, Wednesday 19th or Thursday 20th February. But be quick, the spaces won’t last long!
Linden Close
Torrington
EX38 7AN
The Battle of Torrington Anniversary March
15 Feb 2020
11am – 8:30pm
Come and join in the annual anniversary of this key date in Great Torrington’s history. Various themed events will be taking place throughout the day, culminating in torchlit march and fireworks.
11am – The Town Crier, with escort, will officially announce the anniversary
11am – 3pm – a ‘living history’ display in the grounds of Castle Hill (EX38 8AA). This will include weapon demonstrations, musket shot casting, the barber surgeon, 17th century games, a guided walk about the physic garden, open hearth cookery and a display of original artifacts.
6:30pm – form up at the Great Torrington School (EX38 7DJ) with the Cavaliers for the lighting of torches
7pm – March will depart via Well Street to the Town Centre
7:45pm – proclamation in the Town Square followed by memorial prayers outside the church
8:15pm – fireworks in South Street Car park (EX38 8AA)
Bude Artisan Market | BAM
15 Feb 2020
10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Engage with the people with their feet in the mud! All of the inspirational, independents are knowledgeable and passionate about provenance and what they produce. Come, talk food and consume it! Bude Artisan Market is a great weekly food hub where you’ll be able to buy produce from local artisan producers situated within a 20 mile radius of Bude.
Snowdrop Sunday
16 Feb 2020
10.00 – 4.00pm
Pencarrow House
Washaway
Bodmin
Cornwall
PL30 3AG
Come and witness the first signs of spring when we open our gardens for our visitors to see our beautiful snowdrops. This is a charity event and a suggested donation of £5.00 per person is appreciated. The chosen charities this year will be CLEAR and Parkinsons Research
Free Entry and Events at Bodmin Keep!
17 – 23 February
10:00 am – 4:30 pm
FREE Entry to Bodmin Keep, Cornwall’s Army Museum. There’s an action packed week of activities planned at Bodmin Keep for half term; WWII re-enactment, Drill demonstrations to weapons talks and handling and much, much more! See website for the full list of activities www.cornwalls-regimentalmuseum.org
Scrub and spuds at Pentire Head near Polzeath
Wed 19 Feb 2020
10:00 – 15:00
Bonfires, jacket potatoes and marshmallows. Are you tempted yet? Be a National Trust ranger for a few hours and help us with some scrub bashing. Booking essential. Free event. Be a National Trust ranger for a few hours and help us with some scrub bashing, cutting down prickly gorse and blackthorn then burning it on the bonfire. We’ll cook up a jacket potato lunch on the bonfire with cheese and beans.
Hey Duggee at The Milky Way
The Milky Way Adventure Park
22 Feb 2020
On Saturday 22nd February 2020 Duggee, star of the warm-hearted preschool series Hey Duggee, will be visiting The Milky Way! Please note that all visits on February 22nd need to be booked online via The Milky Way website. Duggee, the big, lovable dog will be making appearances at intervals throughout the day, plus he will be joined by a narrator for a special storytelling session in the park’s 800 seater indoor arena. Duggee is a very popular character and it’s likely to be a busy, fun day – so even if you’re not lucky enough to meet him in person he will be waving to all of his fans!
