KEEP CALM BECAUSE SCHOOL’S OUT FOR THE SUMMER

Fabulous Summer Holiday Fun!

Tuesday, July 30 to Thursday, August 1 - Den Building Days (Pre-booking advisable). Time slots are as follows: 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. To avoid disappointment, please book in advance. Telephone, 01527 831363.

Each Thursday in August Have a Go Archery with Stourbridge Archery Club (separate charge applies) Time slots for all of these events are as follows: 11am, Noon, 1pm, 2.15pm, 3.15, 4.15pm Tuesday, August 6-8 -Dragon Slayer (Pre-booking advisable). Learn the skills you need to fight Dragons at ‘Slayer School’.

Tuesday, August 13-15 - Gnome Week Discover the secret world of the Avoncroft Gnomes.

Tuesday, August 20-22 - Pirate Adventure Days (Pre-booking advisable). Come along me hearty’s! Be a pirate for the day at our pirate training camp.

Tuesday, August 27-29 - Mud, Sticks And Bricks – Building Activity Learn how to make bricks and build a house from sticks and mud. Grubby good fun!

Bank Holiday, Sunday, August 25-26 - Victorian Fair See our Victorian characters from criminals to school ma’ams and take part in a traditional school lesson. Enjoy traditional funfair rides and games. On Sunday why not make a day of it and stop to watch Les Miserables in the evening. Telephone, 01527 831363.

HANBURY HALL, NEAR DROITWICH

Sunday July 21 - Teddy Bears' Picnic Trail And Crafts - Bring your teddy and have fun with teddy themed activities, including a trail, craft and storytelling. Normal admission applies, plus a small extra charge for trail and craft.

Thursday, July 25 - Family Activity Day - Beautiful Birds Enjoy trails and hands-on activities with a bird theme between 10.30am and 4pm.

Normal admission applies with a small extra charge for activities.

Monday, July 29- Friday, August 2 -Family Activity Days - Creepy Crawlies Enjoy a trail and hands-on craft activities, including Trevor Hill with his wonderful collection of insects and creepy crawlies.

Trail only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

Normal admission applies with a small additional charge for activities. 01527 821214.

JINNY RING, HANBURY, NEAR DROITWICH

Sunday, July 21 - Animals R Magic Lots of animal antics - learn about them, play with them and help them along in aid of the Cinnamon Trust ( a charity that keeps people with their pets for as long as possible as they get older). Novelty dog show, Scurry, Pony Rides, Gun Dog Demo and lots lots more. 01527 821272.

WEBBS OF WYCHBOLD, WYCHBOLD, DROITWICH

Tuesday, August 13-19 - The Circus is in Town!

After more sell-out shows, John Lawson’s Circus is back. With an entirely human cast performing aerial acrobatics, juggling feats, balancing acts and some crazy clown capers, this fun show lasts an hour and children will love it! Booking in advance is the only way to guarantee entry to the circus on the day/time you require. Bookings may be possible on the day but CANNOT be guaranteed. You can book online or purchase in-store (please note, no telephone bookings). 01527 860000.

CROOME PARK - NATIONAL TRUST - WORCESTER

Friday, August 9 and Friday, August 23 - Activity Day - Bug Hunting Noon-4pm. Hunt some bugs with our special equipment and tracker sheets. Have a go at our crafts too for an extra bit of fun. £3.

Friday, August 9 - Friday, August 23 - Summer Trail - Letterboxing 10am-5pm. Get out and about in the Park with a self guided family trail. Try out the Letterbox craze - follow the clues to discover hidden boxes in the park. £1.50.

Sunday, August 11 – Kite Flying Day 11am-3pm. Bring your own kite or make your own! £2.

Saturday, August 17 – Walk With Dragonflies Noon-2pm. Go dragonfly spotting with our dragonfly expert, Mike Averill, and discover more about these wonderful creatures around the park. £2.50. Booking advisable 01905 370005.

Normal admission charges apply.

Sunday, August 18 - Teddy Bear's Picnic and Zip Wires Noon-4pm. Bring or buy your picnic and enjoy Croome with your teddy. Make and decorate a cape for him and watch him zip down from the top of our mansion house! £3. Normal admission charges apply. Zip wire sessions for teddies at 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Saturday, August 24 – Wednesday, September 4 – Summer Trail – Secret Spy 10am-5pm. Get out and about in the Park with a range of self guided family trails, packed full of secrets, discovery and adventure all the way through the summer holidays. £1.50.

Normal admission charges apply. Dogs on leads welcome.

Friday, August 30 – Activity Day – Geocoaching Noon-4pm. Find real geocaches or get the family into the park to discover our special ones without a GPS - lots of clues to follow to find the hidden spot. Bring your own GPS and we will show you how to geocache and even plant your own! £3. Stout footwear recommended if you're heading into the wider parkland! For more information about the weekend and what you can do to get involved, call Amy on 01905 371782 and visit Geocaching.com. Normal admission charges apply.

WITLEY COURT AND GARDENS, WITLEY

Thursday, July 25 – Sunday, September 1 – Summer Fun Trail Get out and about this holiday with our summer fun trail. Explore the Court grounds and find the hidden clues. Solve the challenge and a special reward awaits! 01299 896636.

Monday, August 12 – Friday, August 16 – Wildlife Rangers Join us during the summer holidays for some wild fun! Set in the spectacular grounds of Witley Court, get hands-on with nature and learn what it takes to be a wildlife ranger. Perfect for those with an adventurous spirit!

Ticket price includes entry to event and Witley Court and can be purchased on the day.

For further details call 0870 3331181. English Heritage members free, adult £6.90, child, 5-15 years £4.10, concession £6.20, family £17.90.

TOP BARN FARM, HOLT HEATH

Monday, July 29 - Friday, September 6 – Wet’n’Wild Summer Holiday Club 10am. All the usual fun and exciting activities from rifle shooting to treeless ropes and sailing to wobbly boarding, it is the perfect opportunity to keep active and trying new things. 6-16 year olds £35 a day, £17.50 half day and £150 for each week. 01905 622223.

EASTNOR CASTLE, LEDBURY

Sunday, July 28 – Thursday, August 1 - Puppetree Presents 11am-4.30pm. Enjoy the fantastic world of Puppetree Puppets, who will be entertaining children with amazing shows each day. In between each show children will have the chance to do balloon model making. Event including in grounds only admission.

Sunday, August 11- Family Outdoor Theatre presents ‘Babe the Sheep Pig' Gates open at 2pm for 3pm performance. Family open-air theatre on the Lower Terrace overlooking the lake. Please bring along a picnic and your own low backed seating and blankets, no gazebos. Pre-booking essential - Adult £12.50, child £8.50, family (2+2) £35.00.

Performance - approx 1hr 45 mins including a 20 minute interval.

Monday, August 19 – Thursday, August 22 - Flying Potter 11am-4.30pm. Join Jon the Flying Potter from Eastnor Pottery for some fun and creative workshops throughout the day. Make your own fantastic clay creations. Event included in grounds only admission.

Sunday, August 25 – Monday, August 26 - Great Outdoors with WildPlay 11am-4.30pm. Mud Pies, den building, nettle strings, grass trumpets, bug catching, scavenger hunts, snail races, playing in straw, and much more! All the skills children need to have fun in the great outdoors. The Herefordshire WildPlay Rangers are back to have fun with nature and get messy! Adult £9.50, seniors £8.50, child (3-15yrs) £6, family (2+3) £25.

Sunday, September 1 – Pets and Ponies 11am-4.30pm. Meet and pet the animals from Newbridge Farm Park or take a ride on one of the beautiful ponies of the KC Riding Rescue Centre. Event is included within grounds only admission. 01531 633130.

WORCESTERSHIRE COUNTY MUSEUM, HARTLEBURY CASTLE

Tuesdays to Fridays throughout August - Hands on History – Holiday Activities 10.30-4pm.Creative crafts that bring the past alive throughout the summer holidays! Three different craft activities take place daily and visitors can also have a go at archery on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. A charge of £1 per child, per day, applies to participate in the craft activities. Plus every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in August ‘Have a go Archery’. Extra charges apply.

Monday, August 26 – Ahoy! Pirate School 11am-5pm. Learn how to be a pirate including reading treasure maps, making pirate hats, jobs aboard ship, singing sea-shanties and how to talk 'pirate'. Normal admission charges apply (£13 per family), plus £1 per child for the day's activities. 01299 250416. 

GREYFRIARS, WORCESTER

Saturday, July 27, Saturday, August 3,10 and 17 - Old Games 1pm-5pm. Play with 1930 and 1940's garden games and have a day in the life of a George’s Yard child.

Friday, August 2 - Recycle and Sustain 1pm-5pm. Did our ancestors throw as much away as us? Do things rot or not? An afternoon of fun ways to re-use everything.

Friday, August 9 - Archaeology Day 1pm-5pm. Ever wondered what an archaeologist does? What do objects look like once they have been buried for hundreds of years. Come along and have a go at a test pit and find out how to be an archaeologist.

Friday, August 16 - Knight School Imagine being a knight jousting, sword fighting and battling'. Why not try all these things out at our Knight School. Normal admission charges apply. 01905 23571.

THE COMMANDERY, SIDBURY, WORCESTER

Monday, August 5 – Friday, August 30 - An Enchanted Commandery Summer Fun. Come and enrol at the 'Enchanted School' and learn to be a fairy, a warrior or a sprite .Drop in craft activities, have-a-go-archery, combat ,costume and make up and theatre workshops all add to these entrancing Summer holiday activities. Booking essential.

Saturday, August 10 – Monday, August 26 – Worcester Festival Enjoy concerts, ghost walks and summer family activities at The Commandery as part of Worcester Festival.

Monday, August 26 - A Medieval Pageant Step back in time to when The Commandery was formerly known as St Wulstan's Hospital and celebrate all things Medieval this bank holiday. Enjoy a miscellany of life in the Middle Ages - medicine, music, magic, mayhem and more! Fun for all the family.

Saturday, August 31 – Monday, September 2 - Lock, Stock and 30,000 Smoking Barrels – A Story of the Battle of Worcester A weekend dedicated to this significant day in history with talks, theatre, drills, living history, displays, activities, puppet shows, music and the annual Drumhead Ceremony. Supported by The Battle of Worcester Society and Discover History. 01905 361821.

TUDOR HOUSE, FRIAR STREET, WORCESTER

Saturday, July 27 and Sunday, July 28 - Play Across The Years 10am-4pm. Come and play 2,000 years of toys and games in a superb Tudor setting with Mrs History (Glo Pringle). Will some be similar to those of today? Something for all the family, mind games, toys to cuddle, test your accuracy. Children can also follow the Rat Trail and try Tudor clothes on. £1 all ages to take part in the games. 01905 612309.

COUNTRYSIDE CENTRE - ORCHARD CAFE, WILDWOOD DRIVE, WORCESTER

Monday, July 29 – Monday, September 2 - Five Weeks Packed Of Summer Fun 11.30am until 4.30pm. Bouncy castle, Bird of Prey displays, Archery, Treasure hunts £1.25, Arts and Crafts workshops, Circus workshops and many, many more, prices vary for all activities. For more information either call 01905 766492 or check on our website.

WEST MIDLAND SAFARI PARK, BEWDLEY

Saturday, August 17 – Sunday, August 1 – Summer Fun Days This is the perfect opportunity to treat your family or employees to a fun day out - with a difference! West Midland Safari Park’s dedicated party venue, Tree Tops, is a unique African - themed pavilion located in the heart of the park. Specifically designed for corporate entertaining, Tree Tops Pavilion will provide you with a base for your fun day out.

This 'ele-phantastic' day is only £29.99 for adults and £25.99 for children (aged between 3 and 12 years) and includes the following: Entrance into the 4 mile self-drive Safari. Full use of park and attractions (Including Mark O'Shea's Reptile World, SeaQuarium, Creepy Crawlies, Twilight Cave, Sea Lion Show, Penguin Cove and the African Village). VIP Wristbands for the Amusement Area Rides (height restrictions apply). Meet & Greet with Animal Characters. A Private Animal Encounter. Access to Tree Tops Pavilion (between 10am and 5pm).
BBQ Lunch Menu served between 12 noon and 2pm. Cash Bar Facility (between 11am and 4.30pm). 01299 406397.

HATTON COUNTRY WORLD, HATTON FARM VILLAGE, WARWICK

Saturday, July 20 - Sunday, September 1 – Summer Spectacular This summer we have a sporting flavour to the event where the children can really let off steam with our Summer Sports Day races. Then head down to our themed A-maize-ing Maze to see how long it takes you to find your way out… And, new for this year, come and watch our daily milking demonstrations. Competitions and shows throughout the day. 01926 843411.

BLACK COUNTRY LIVING MUSEUM, DUDLEY

Wednesday, July 24 - Sunday, September 1 – Summer Holiday Fun This summer enjoy fun family activities and hands on heritage trails and activities.

Each week there will be a new crime in the village that will require you to use your detective skills on the mystery trail to discover hidden clues and investigation activities to unearth the true culprit of the crime. Booking office 0121 5208054.

CADBURYS WORLD, BOURNVILLE

Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, September 1 - Summer Holiday Family Fun We are looking forward to a fantastic summer of fun here at Cadbury World. During the holidays we will have a variety of entertainers performing in our on-site marquee to entertain all the family during your visit from magicians to ventriloquists.

The Sooty Show - Sooty’s Birthday Bake Off!

Summer weekends - 20-21, 27-28 July; 3-4, 10-11, 17-18 and, 24-25 August. Come and join Sooty, Sweep and Soo who will be appearing here as they bake a cake for Sooty’s Birthday! Of course the cake will be chocolate and will involve a sprinkle of Cadbury magic, a mixture of fun, a gallon of giggles and will guarantee to raise the roof! The Sooty show comes direct from CITV and will be here on various dates throughout the year.

To guarantee entrance pre-booking is essential. To book your tickets please call our reservations team on 0844 880 7667.

TWYCROSS ZOO, ATHERSTONE, WARWICK

Friday, July 26 and Saturday, July 27 - Summer Sundown 10am-9pm. Come and enjoy a wild night out at Twycross Zoo at our 50th Anniversary Summer Sundown late night openings! On 26th and 27th July, we will stay open until 9pm! See our animals after hours, enjoy live music on our open air stage, and enjoy delicious food and drink! Entrance after 6pm is just £5 - Twycross Zoo Members are free to enter.

Monday, July 29 – Friday, August 2 – Summer School 10am-4pm (wraparound care available 8.45 to 5.15pm). Age - 8-12 years Join the Discovery Team this summer to find out all about Twycross Zoo's animals - play games, make crafts and meet some of our friendlier animals. We even have a special parent’s event at the end of the week! Price - £65 per week (£50 for members) or £13 per day (£10 for members). Snacks and drinks included but children must bring their own packed lunch. Places must be booked in advance. Call 0844 474 1777 or email education@twycrosszoo.org for more information and to book.

WARWICK CASTLE, WARWICK

Saturday, July 20 – Sunday, September 1- Britain’s Ultimate Summer Take an amazing journey back in time; discover jousting, heroes and horror! Hear the thunder of hooves and the crack of lances splintering as back in the saddle this summer are our famous Jousting Knights, returning to the Castle grounds from 20 July – 1 September. Watch as the competing Knights battle to become the reigning champion in this most noble of historic sports. The bravery, skill and agility of the jousters will be tested to the limit as crowds bear witness to their dazzling show packed with incredible equestrian prowess and pageantry. Watch Warwick Castle’s troop of magnificent jousters twice daily during the summer season at 1pm and 3.30pm. To book events and for prices call the Information Line (recorded) 0871 265 2000.

CLIFTON UPON TEME PRIMARY SCHOOL

Thursday, August 15 – Family Fun Teddy Bears Picnic 11.30am-1pm. On the school playing field. Come and join in for a picnic on the school fields for lots of fun activities for all the family.

FESTIVAL HOUSING SUMMER EVENTS

Thursday, August 8 – Summer Roadshow 11am-4pm. The Octagon, Brook Farm, Malvern.

Saturday, August 10 – Malvern Vale Summer Fete 2pm-8pm. Malvern Vale Community Centre.

Friday, August 16 – Community Games Day Noon-3pm. Dukes Meadow, Malvern.

Wednesday, August 21 – Sports and Play Session 11am-1pm. Elgar Avenue (next to Wilderness Garden), Malvern Thursday, August 22 – Summer Roadshow, Sports And Play 11am-2pm. Queen Elizabeth Road, Malvern.

Monday, September 2 – Sports And Play Session 11am-1pm. Dukes Meadow, Malvern.

UPTON WARREN OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTRE, WYCHBOLD

Led by trained, experienced staff, Upton Warren Outdoor Education Centre offers a range of opportunities to keep active youngsters entertained all summer long. All courses start at 9.30am and finish at 4pm. Activities for 6 - 8 year olds - Activities and games weeks. activity courses for 8 - 10 year olds - one day multi-activity course, two day water activities course, two day land activities course and multi-activities week. Activity courses, two day water activities course, two day land activities course, adventurous activities week and bushcraft and activities course. 01527 861426. 

OTHER PLACES TO VISIT DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS:-

Dudley Zoological Gardens, Dudley, West Midlands - Telephone 0844 474 2272 .

We are not only home to a large collection of endangered species, but also an 11th century castle, the world's largest single collection of Tecton buildings, and an important geological site.

Ragley Hall, Alcester – Telephone 01905 25371.

Where there's something for everyone . For an action-packed day out for the whole family, Ragley has it all... with so much to see and do so why not come along and visit. The Adventure Playground provides a challenging experience, which includes the 3D maze, climbing frames, trampoline and swings – all in a safe and supervised environment. For the more energetic, we recommend the Woodland Walk, a journey through Ragley’s 400 acres of picturesque parkland and woods.

Go-Ape, Wyre Forest, Bewdley - Telephone 0845 643 9215

Go Ape is described as a ‘tree-top adventure’. They kit people out with harnesses, pulleys and karabiners, give them a 30 minute safety briefing and training and let them loose into the forest canopy, free to swing through the trees.

Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster Town Station – Telephone 01562 827232

The SVR is a full-size standard-gauge railway line running regular steam-hauled passenger trains for the benefit of visitors and enthusiasts alike between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a distance of 16 miles. The journey is full of interest, for the route follows closely the meandering course of the River Severn for most of the way on its journey between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth. Spetchley Park Gardens - Telephone 01453 810 303 An historic house set in 30 acres of beautiful gardens with rare plants and specialist nurseries. This makes an ideal day out.

The Ironbridge Gorge Museum, Telford. Visitor Information Centre on 01952 433424.

There are ten award-winning Museums spread along the valley beside the wild River Severn - still spanned by the world's first Iron Bridge. See the products that set industry on its path and the machines that made them. Watch and talk to the Museums' craftsmen and costumed demonstrators as they work iron, fashion china and glass, and bring alive the people who lived and worked here.

National Sea Life Centre, Birmingham – Telephone 0871 222 6932

An aquarium with over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life in Brindley place Birmingham. Expect close encounters with amazing creatures, from humble shrimps and enchanting sea horses to mighty sharks and rays. A fantastic day out for all the family. A chance to learn, discover, explore and help our world's amazing oceans.

The Domestic Fowl Trust, Honeybourne – Telephone 01386 833083

A great family day out and one of the best UK farm parks for rare breeds. There are 20 acres in which to view fowl, duck, geese, turkeys bantams and rare breed farm animals. There are also indoor and outdoor play areas for the children and tearooms in which to relax.

Butterfly Farm, Stratford upon Avon – Telephone 01789 299288

Come along and discover the world’s most beautiful butterflies at the UK’s largest tropical paradise.

Prinknash Bird and Dee Park, Cranham, Glos – Telephone 01452 812727

Spend a few hours in the company of tame reindeer, fallow deer, peacocks and waterfowl. Many of which can be hand fed.

Birdland Park and Gardens, Bourton on the Water – Telephone 01451 820480

A natural setting of woodland, gardens and river. Bridland is home to some of the most exotic and rare birds from around the world, including the only group of King Penguins in England.