February Half Term At The Treasure Houses Of England

Promising a mesmerising mix of entertainment especially for children, The Treasure Houses of England are poised to deliver a fabulous feast of family fun this February Half Term.

Blenheim Palace

Beaulieu has orchestrated a James Bond themed Scalextric track and a special Secret Agent Trail (16-24 February) for younger visitors to go undercover in order to crack the hidden code; while Blenheim Palace (reopening 9 February) presents a filming exhibition “Lights, Camera, Action”, including family-friendly film showings over the half term week. Also its Pleasure Gardens – the perfect place for outdoor activities at the popular Adventure Playground, Butterfly House, the Marlborough Maze – the world’s second largest symbolic hedge maze - or taking a special trip on the miniature train.

Jump aboard the land-train for a joy ride down to the Lakeside Adventure Playground at Castle Howard, which is suitable for children (and adults!) of all ages. Similarly, Chatsworth’s Farmyard and Adventure Playground offers an enticing array of activities for all (16-24 February).

Harewood’s exhibition‘Objectivity: The Art of Useful Things’ (16-24 February) has inspired the half term family activities this February.   From extravagant jelly moulds in the Old Kitchen to tiny feeding spoons in the Bird Garden, learn about the extraordinary tools used to carry out ordinary tasks.  A fascinating collection of often quirky tools will be on display in the Servants’ Hall alongside a stack of activities that will entertain visitors of all ages. The Old Kitchen will serve up tantalising treats in form of jelly making displays, while there will be children’s crafts aplenty in the Still Room. The glorious Gardens will see demonstrations from the gardeners themselves and the keepers in the Bird Garden will unveil some fascinating facts.

Hatfield House’s Half Term Activity Week at Stable Yard (16-24 February) will see the Coach House Restaurant and Shops present a captivating collection of children’s activities ahead of Spring’s exciting park and garden reopening (30 March).

Leed’s Castle presents Creative Cookery at the Castle (18-22 February), which will give children the opportunity to develop their baking skills as they make a white swan out of icing and learn about butter-making for a brilliantly hands-on and suitably sticky-fingered experience.

The first Luminaria lights event at Woburn Abbey will illuminate the Abbey Gardens after dark and promises to be an evening of enchantment and adventure (5-9pm last entry, closes 10pm, Saturday 16th February).  Follow the trail winding through the gardens and set out on a family escapade or an alternative Valentine’s evening.   Experience the historic gardens aglow with warm lights, be entranced by ethereal sculptures, lose yourself in the labyrinth and watch award-winning ice sculptors create works of art.   Separate ticket price, pre-book online and save.

Opening in March:

Burghley House reopens its house and gardens to the public from 16 March, where an awe-inspiring world of stunning scenery and attractions await, and Holkham Hall follows in spectacular suit with its own anticipated reopening on 25 March and launch of a new Children’s Woodland Adventure Play Area with a tree house in the sky, high level walkways, rope ladders and zip-wire.

Woburn Abbey reopens its doors (22 March) for visitors to venture inside before delighting in the dazzling scenery of the Abbey Gardens and grounds and enchanting wildlife found in the Deer Park for an utterly fabulous and truly magical day out.

February Fun At Beaulieu! 16th – 24th February 2013

Beaulieu becomes a secret agent training ground once again for Bond-themed February Half Term.
 

Aston Martin DB5 and Rolls-Royce Phantom III

During February half-term week, from 16th – 24th February, come to Beaulieu, home of the world’s largest ever James Bond vehicle exhibition, BOND IN MOTION, and test out your spy skills to see if you have what it takes to be the next 007.

In the National Motor Museum, pit your driving ability against others on a Bond style, eight-lane Scalextric track. Race round in the fastest time possible for the opportunity to win a fantastic Scalextric prize.
Test your knowledge of the world’s most famous special agent, James Bond, with our special half term quiz trail as you enter BOND IN MOTION, which displays 50 original vehicles from the James Bond films. Follow the trail around the exhibition and exercise your code-cracking skills for an opportunity to win a Bond goody bag. See some of the best-loved and most iconic vehicles, including the Lotus Esprit S1, affectionately nicknamed ‘Wet Nellie’ from The Spy Who Loved Me, the Crocodile Submarine from Octopussy and the Aston Martin Vanquish with adaptive camouflage seen in Die Another Day.

Crocodile Mini-Sub from Octopussy

Don’t miss the Secret Army Exhibition, which tells the story of Beaulieu’s history as a training ground for secret agents during WWII. The Special Operations Executive (SOE) trained agents at a number of large country houses scattered across the Beaulieu Estate before they left to work with Resistance groups in occupied Europe.

Learn about the instructors, secret agents and unsung heroes of the SOE, their training and secret missions. See some real-life spy gadgets on display which wouldn’t look out of place in Q’s laboratory, watch a film explaining how the ‘Finishing School’ operated in total secrecy for four years, and make and break your own secret codes using the cipher wheel.

See the National Motor Museum’s collection of over 250 vehicles, from the iconic World Land Speed Record Breaker, Bluebird CN7, to the quirky and instantly recognisable ‘orange on wheels’ Mini Outspan. There are historic racing cars, modern rally cars and the latest F1 machines as well as family cars from every motoring era on show.

Walk into the World of Top Gear, displaying actual vehicles created by presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May for some of their most ambitious challenges on the TV show over the years.The latest creation to join the display is Top Gear’s ‘Bond car on a budget’ Lotus Excel submarine car from the 50 Years of Bond Cars special.

Enter the‘Enormodrome’, which aims to recreate the feel of the Top Gear studio, to see regular features from the programme including the Cool Wall and Celebrity ‘Lap Time’ boards. Plus you can watch an exclusive video presentation from behind-the-scenes at the Top Gear HQ with Jeremy, Richard and James, and clips from the show featuring the cars on display.

Explore the grounds by taking a ride on the high-level Monorail, which runs straight through the roof of the museum, or by hopping on the open-topped replica London bus.

Budding drivers can get in the driving seat on Dipstick’s Driving Circuit in fun mini motorised vehicles or drive remote controlled cars in The Stig Driving Challenge. Younger visitors can get physical on the Mini Motor PlayTrail with its Veteran Bus climbing frame, swings and Little Tykes ride-on-cars.

Visit Palace House, home of the Montagu family since 1538 and stroll through the beautiful gardens and take a look inside Beaulieu Abbey, a 13th century Cistercian monastery.

Beaulieu is open from 10am – 5pm every day. For more information please visit www.beaulieu.co.uk or telephone 01590 612345.

Fun Farming at Chatsworth Farmyard for February Half Term

11 February to 19 February 2012

The Chatsworth Farmyard and Adventure Playground will be opening this Saturday (11 February) for the school half term holiday to give families a fun taste of rural farming. The packed line up includes rural demonstrations and activities; the chance to meet the Shire Horse and find out how they are dressed; learn how to spin thread from local wool; discover where the old pack horse routes are around the estate; find out how horse drivers work and see the local farrier making a horse shoe on his mobile forge.

With a large indoor barn, an indoor picnic room and a covered canopy area, the farmyard is a great place to visit this half term whatever the weather.  Children can plant out beans and make bird feeders to take home in the barn and enjoy some messy mud painting under the canopy.

The popular small animal handling and ‘Meet the Animals’ sessions for a chance to get up close to the larger farm residents will take place every day. The woodland adventure playground where children can climb, slide, swing and spin is a great place to let off steam and the cafe and shop will be open to complete a great day out.

The farmyard is open from 11 to 19 February from 10.30 to 4.30pm every day, with last entry at 3.30pm. For details of each day’s activities and ticketing options including a 10 percent discount for online booking, go to www.chatsworth.org

For further information on the Treasure Houses of England please visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk  

Holiday Fun at the Treasure Houses of England

Promising a mesmerising mix of entertainment especially for children, The Treasure Houses of England are poised to deliver a fabulous feast of family fun this February Half Term.

FEBRUARY HALF TERM
 

From 11th to 19th, take part in Beaulieu’s James Bond-themed quiz and enjoy the new Bond in Motion exhibition where there are over 50 original James Bond vehicles -  plus take part in an undercover army commando course.

 

Jump aboard the land-train for a joy ride down to the Lakeside Adventure Playground at Castle Howard, which is suitable for children (and adults!) of all ages.

 

Similarly, Chatsworth’s Farmyard and Adventure Playground offers an enticing array of activities for all (11-19 February).

 

To celebrate spring, Harewood gardens and grounds are hosting a range of activities and demonstrations for all the family including walks and talks from experts, alpaca wool spinning, pottery classes and a chance to enjoy the fresh air and fun in a glorious location.

 

Visit the brilliant Bloody Hollow – Hatfield House’s adventure playground (free to anyone who has purchased a ticket from the park) and Hatfield Park Farm (free for accompanied children) to see the various farmyard animals and play amongst spectacular surrounds.  The stableyard will also be hosting a great array of children’s activities during half term (15-19 February).

 

Leed’s Castle presents the Birds and Beasts Roadshow (11-19 February), which houses a huge range of animals, birds, spiders and snakes in a marquee near the maze. Get up close and personal with a bevy of creepy crawlies for an unforgettably fun and educational experience.

 

The Pleasure Gardens at Blenheim Palace is the perfect place for families to let off steam during February half term. Hop on the miniature train from the Palace for family fun in the Pleasure Gardens including the giant Marlborough Hedge Maze, Adventure Play Area, the Butterfly House and the Gardens Cafe.

The Treasure Houses of England (THE) is a consortium of 10 of the country’s finest palaces, historic houses and castles. Unique in character, each property has its own magical blend of magnificent architecture, fabulous surroundings, world class collections and family attractions to enjoy.

For more information visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk

Half Term Fun at Harewood with 'Love Nature, Love Harewood'

This February half term, Harewood looks forward to celebrating all things natural with a great week of events and activities for all the family. Surrounded by open spaces and burgeoning Spring gardens, Love Nature’s aim will be to shake off the winter blues, spark interest, learn through fun and celebrate the new season within the comfort of the gardens and grounds of one the nation’s favourite country homes. Plus there’s 10% off if you book ahead ….


Love Nature combines insightful activities and demonstrations, and Harewood provides handy facilities to keep all the family fed and watered.   See how alpaca wool is spun to create woolly masterpieces with the Yorkshire Alpaca Group, and join in and ‘paint and take’ your own piece of pottery with Fired Art Designs or join our Education team and try your hand at a range of crafts. Yorkshire based masters of wood, Mawdsley Williams will be on hand with wood furniture demonstrations to showcase their extraordinary skills in sourcing and making woodwork for their individual designs and showing how the environment inspires them in their work.  Get your hands dirty with seed planting workshops, pick a seed to plant and take it home to watch it grow! If you’re keen to get out and about, why not take part in a ‘walk and talk’ and gain a fascinating insight into the stunning gardens with Head Gardener, Trevor Nicholson, you’ll find out all sorts about the grand, venerable, ancient and elegant trees we have here… or watch the Red Kites circling the skies and find out more with a Red Kite talk from Yorkshire’s own Project Officer from Yorkshire’s original Kite programme, Doug Simpson (one day only, visit website for details). Bird Garden Curator, John Waller, is also offering a walk and talk all about the birds in the Bird Garden, which will include details on birds that can be seen around the gardens and grounds of Harewood at this time of year. The bird walk concludes with our resident penguins’ feeding time. Plus there’s make your own bird cake feeder, win a prize with Spot the Owl prize draw, visit The Old Kitchen Below Stairs for fun food demonstrations and much more. (Note. Some events need to be booked ahead and require a small additional spend – see below or visit our website for details).


Perfect for all the family, Harewood has it just right this half term.  Whether you have a love of gardens, birds or simply for the great outdoors, Harewood provides. Love Nature, love Harewood…

11 - 19 Feb 2012, 10am - 4pm.
Adult £10.00 Senior £9.00 Child £6.00 Family £30, includes all grounds (State Floor closed). Below Stairs is open.
10% discount on pre-booking discount applies.
Harewood Members Free.
Pottery ‘make and take’ £5 upwards per head
Garden walk and talk free
Bird Garden walk and talk free
Red Kite talk free
Visit www.harewood.org/LoveNature for more details

Harewood Winter opening 7 Jan – 30 March (Below Stairs open half term only, limited menu in café weekdays – some parts of the garden may be closed over the Winter Season – please check website) 10am – 4pm
Open daily for half term week 11 to 19 February 10am - 4pm
Members Exhibition Preview Day 30 March
Daily opening 31 March – 4 November 10am – 6pm
(House 31 March - 30 September, & 27 October – 4 November 12 – 3pm)
Royal Harewood: State Floor, 31 March to 17 June

Entry is £5 throughout the winter November – February, general admission prices apply from 11 February onwards.
Special event prices apply on certain event days, please see website for details.

To be a member at Harewood and enjoy exclusive benefits, visit www.harewood.org/membership – membership also makes a great gift.

Recently awarded Gold in the Large Visitor Attraction category of the Enjoy England Awards, Harewood is an independent charitable educational trust set up to maintain and develop Harewood, its collections and grounds, for public benefit. Registered Charity No: 517753.  Harewood is the family seat of the Earl and Countess of Harewood and provides a great day out for all the family.  The House, with its outstanding art collections, splendid State Rooms and fascinating ‘Below Stairs’ exhibition, is set in spectacular landscaped grounds, which include formal gardens and gentle woodland walks, renowned Bird Garden, children’s Adventure Playground, a Bhutanese Stupa, waterfall and Himalayan Garden. 

Harewood House Trust, Harewood House, Harewood, Leeds LS17 9LG    info@harewood.org    0113 218 1010

For more information on the Treasure Houses of England please visit www.treasurehouses.co.uk