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family-friendly things to do in England in 2021


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With May half term just around the corner, my thoughts have turned to what activities we’re going to go while the kids are off school. And the outstanding news is that there are more things to do in England this May half term than for several school holidays. This post rounds up some of my top picks for family days out and events happening around the country in 2022.

Of course, many UK family attractions are now open too.

If you can recommend any other family events happening during the May half term holiday get in touch or pop them in the comments below.

Check out these fun things to do in England in May half term, including special events at family attractions, days out and places to visit #May #halfterm #thingstodo #England #UK #family #events #daysout #kids #children #TinBoxTraveller

Birmingham – what’s on in May half term 2022

Here’s some ideas for things to do around Birmingham this May half term:

Cadbury World is choc-full of fun with Freddo – open daily

As well as a self-guided tour of the attraction’s chocolatey zones, guests will also be able to enjoy a number of magical moments with many of the famous Cadbury characters. Join Freddo as he hosts his very own Festival of Fun live show, a musical journey through the world of Pop, Country and Rock!

For more information and to book tickets visit the Cadbury World website.

Find more family attractions in my round up of things to do in the Midlands with kids.

Cornwall – what’s on in May half term

Explore Cornwall this May half term with these tips on what’s on at Cornish family attractions and other places to visit:

Survival skills, foraging and wild feasting at Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall – open daily

Kids with face paint looking through tunnel at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Image credit: The Lost Gardens of Heligan

It’s all happening at The Lost Gardens of Heligan this May half term, as visitors are invited to rediscover their wild side with a week of much needed outdoor play.

Canoe Cornwall will be teaching how to throw an axe like a woodsman, and to take aim and fire with target practice lessons.  Bushcraft skills such as fire striking and rope making will also be being taught and children can make their own Wild Thing wrist band too.

The Wild Feasting tent will be open daily for visitors to try wild food tasting sessions – which includes insect custard and crunchy critters, as well as BBQ specials and other garden delights.

Find out more by visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan website.

Here’s some more about our own wonderful days out at The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Cornwall over May half term I have plenty of ideas in these posts:

Staying for longer than a day? Take a look at my blog post all about a family holidays in Cornwall.

Devon – what’s on this May half term

Join us in our home county for a fun May half term with plenty going on to keep the whole family entertained:

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary fun trail – open daily

Donkeys at The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth
Image credit: The Donkey Sanctuary

Feed your curiosity and discover all things adorable with a donkey adventure like no other at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary. Its new children’s trail contains an A to Z of fun donkey facts around the sanctuary. Complete the trail activities as you go to claim a prize and sticker on completion.

The adventure is split into two parts – one short trail and one a little longer. For the first part, locate eight donkey facts around the main sanctuary and find the hidden letters to complete the missing word.

The Donkey Sanctuary is free to visit and booking is not required.

Find out more on The Donkey Sanctuary website.

To find out more about what’s on in Devon, take at look at my other website, Devon with Kids, for a full guide to things to do this May half term.

Essex – Things to do this May half term

Wildlife Week at Audley End Miniature Railway – open daily

Immerse your family in nature at Audley End Miniature Railway’s Wildlife Week. The Nature Corner will encourage children to connect with nature, learning about hidden habitats, creepy crawlies, and insects that live all around us.

Take a peep inside our fascinating bug hotels, try and spot a worm or two hiding in the wormery, explore the NEW nature pond or sit back and enjoy one of the interactive shows, extending your child’s wildlife knowledge even further. 

Your experience also includes an enchanting 1.5 mile train ride deep into the ancient Audley End woods, a captivating Fairy and Elf Walk and the Adventure Play Area. There is everything you need for a memorable family day out in the great outdoors. 

Visit the Audley End Miniature Railway website to find out more information and book tickets.

Things to do in Gloucestershire this May half term holiday

Here’s a taster of what’s on in Gloucester this half term:

Meet the penguins at Birdland Park – open daily

Penguins at Birdland, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire - May half term
Image credit: Birdland

Waddle along to Birdland Park & Gardens over the half term holidays to join in the fun.

This Bourton-on-the-Water wildlife attraction looks after England’s only breeding colony of king penguins which share their beach-themed home with a group of comical Humboldts.

Keepers will be putting visitors penguin know-how to the test with a special quiz about everybody’s favourite flightless birds, plus there’s the chance to watch the penguin being fed and learn about their favourite foods and individual personalities.

There will be twice daily feeding displays at 11am and 2.30pm with herring on the menu for the king penguins and sprats for the Humboldts.

Find out more and book tickets on the Birdland website.

Hampshire – May half term events near you

Here’s some ideas for things to do in Hampshire this May half term:

Half Term Fun at Beaulieu – from 28 May 2022

Photo credit: beaulieu.co.uk

Take a trip through time this half term at Beaulieu! Visit and watch over 800 years of history come to life. From medieval, Tudor and Victorian eras, to the early days of motoring and World War 2, up to the latest James Bond gadgets and vehicles – you’ll be amazed at how much there is to explore.

Get more information and book tickets on the Beaulieu website.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Hampshire then these posts might be helpful:

Isle of Wight – May half term events near you

Here’s some top picks from events happening at family attractions in the Isle of Wight:

Night Glow at Robin Hill – 28 to 30 May 2022

The sky’s the limit as magnificent hot air balloons float back into Robin Hill this May half term for a three-day extravaganza!

Each day from 4:30pm to 9:30pm, you can see a spectacular display of hot air balloons in the park’s Lower Valley as crews perform inflation races and attempt mass launches. There will also be a live music in the Valley and Woodland Ponds.

Find out more and book tickets on the Robin Hill discovery park website.

Looking for more Isle of Wight inspiration. Here’s what we got up to on the Isle of Wight in a day.

London – What’s on this May half term

Here’s some family-friendly things to do in London this May half term:

Pinocchio – The Little Angel Theatre

Production Photos: Pinocchio taken on 28th April at Little Angel Theatre London – Image Credit: Ellie Kurttz

Step inside Geppetto’s workshop and hear the tale of a puppet that wants to be a real boy, and a puppet maker who wants to be a real father.

Watch as Pinocchio is carved on stage, paint brushes come to life as foxes and the shadow of two saws transform into a giant fish. An element of improvisation adds to the magic, as no two performances are exactly the same.

Puppetry, shadows, illusion and original music combine to create a show that is inventive, witty and has a big heart. This show is aimed at ages five to 11.

To book tickets, visit the Little Angel Theatre’s website.

I Want My Hat Back’ Trilogy – The Little Angel Studio

Production Photos: I Want My Hat Back at Little Angel Studio London – Image Credit: Sam Wilde and Ian Nicholson

Jon Klassen’s beloved books, I Want My Hat Back, This is Not My Hat and We Found A Hat, will have a brand new life of their own LIVE on stage. All your favourites including Bear, Little Fish and the Turtles will be making an appearance in this one-of-a-kind trilogy.

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Little Angel Theatre’s website.

Manchester – May half term events near you

Find out what’s on in Manchester this May half term:

Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry – open daily

Manchester Make Fest - May half term
Image credit: Manchester Museum of Science and Industry

Discover how Manchester has kept the world moving with fun-filled, transport-themed activities this May half term.

Design and make your own moving machines with a hands-on workshop, then put your creations to the test and see how fast and far they go. Be inspired by the stories of the historic site and the vehicles that passed through, including Stephenson’s Rocket, a legendary locomotive that was built to run on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, the world’s first inter-city passenger railway line. 

The exhibition is open from 28 May to 5 June 2022.

Visiting the museum is free but you need to book your tickets in advance.

Find more days out in Manchester with kids.

What’s on in Norfolk this May half term

Here’s my top pick from all the things to do in Norfolk this school holiday:

Parasquawks at BeWILDerwood – open daily

Visit BeWILDerwood this half term for an event more fantastical time than usual.

During May half term, Parasquawks will be everywhere in the woods preparing for their flight of very fancy colours! Make your own Parasquawk at the Big Hat and take it for a flying lesson at the Storytelling Stage!

There’s plenty of Swampy themed fun to be had in the tree houses and adventure playgrounds here in Norfolk. Take a look at a review of our visit BeWILDerwood.

Find out more and book tickets to BeWILDerwood in Norfolk.

Things to do in Oxford this May half term

Here’s a treat for you to enjoy with the kids this half term in Oxford:

Immerse yourself in a world of children’s literature at The Story Museum – open daily

The Chronicles of Narnia installation in The Enchanted Library at The Story Museum in Oxford
Image credit: Diane Auckland

The Story Museum will be open with extra activities on for families over half term.

Immerse yourself in The Enchanted Library with iconic scenes lifted from the pages of children’s books including The Chronicles of Narnia, Noughts and Crosses and His Dark Materials.

Enter the The Whispering Wood’s to hear tales, myths and fables from all over the world. And enjoy the Small Worlds play space for younger children, with favourite characters like Winnie the Witch.

For more information and to book your visit The Story Museum website.

Somerset – things to do over May half term

Here’s what’s on at some of Somerset’s top family attractions:

New exhibitions open at Haynes Motor Museum in Somerset – open daily

Overview of museum Haynes International Motor Museum

Motor mechanic enthusiasts young and old will enjoy lifting the bonnet, exploring the classic cars and finding out about some of the big personalities in motorsports in three new exhibitions at Haynes Motor Museum; The ‘John Haynes OBE – The Man, The Manuals and The Museum’, ‘Williams F1 – The Drivers and The Driven’ and ‘Enzo Ferrari – The Man and The Machine’. Book your tickets in advance.

Haynes Motor Museum is open every day throughout May half term 2022.

For more information visit the museum’s website.

Here’s our review of visiting Haynes Motor Museum with kids.

Wookey Hole Caves and Attractions in Somerset – open daily

Dinosaur Mad at Wookey Hole - May half term
Image credit: Wookey Hole

All weather attraction, Wookey Hole is open again. As well as meeting the resident Witch in the caves you’ll also be able to visit the Penny Arcade, Dinosaur valley, the fairy garden or even the Pirate Island Adventure Golf.

Find out more about the attractions, visiting and booking tickets on the Wookey Hole website.

If you’re in Somerset you might also enjoy Longlet Safari Park.

Things to do in Yorkshire this May half term

Dive into these family adventures in Yorkshire this half term:

New attractions at Lightwater Valley – open daily

Family walking through Treetop Trails at Lightwater Valley
Image credit: Lightwater Valley

Indoor areas as well as 30 other rides have reopened at Lightwater Valley, including some new attractions that will be a hit with under 12-year-olds.

New for the 2022 season is an interactive arcade with state-of-the-art virtual reality and an entrancing Hall of Mirrors, a wacky room of distortions that will have the whole family giggling all day. Test your driving skills as you enjoy the timeless appeal of the Dodgem, followed by the speed and spin of Twist and Turn

You can also visit the Treetop Trails, formerly treetops nets. This much-loved attraction provides a net walk through the tree canopy high above the park and will now be included as part of the admission price.

Find out more and book tickets on the Lightwater Valley website.

Don’t forget to recommend your favourite fun things to do during May half term in the comments below.

Thanks to the attractions for supplying the images for this post. Main image: Lost Gardens of Heligan Wild Week.

Why not pin this post about fun things to do this May half term for future reference?

Check out these fun things to do in England in May half term, including special events at family attractions, days out and places to visit #May #halfterm #thingstodo #England #UK #family #events #daysout #kids #children #TinBoxTraveller

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