Take a Voyage of Discovery on HMS Belfast this summer
Opening hours: 10am – 6pm. Last entry an hour before closing. Admission: £16.00 Adults; £12.80 Concessions; Children (5-15) £8.00
Family ticket (1 adult and 2 children) £28.00; Family ticket (2 adults and 2 children) £42.00
HMS Belfast, the most significant surviving Second World War warship, welcomes visitors to take a voyage of discovery this summer. Journeying through the ship’s nine decks and taking part in the new Ship Shape Saturdays family activities, visitors can find out what life was like for the 950-strong crew who served on her.
www.iwm.org.uk/events/hms-belfast/
Animal Antics and beach fun in Lee Valley
Lamb racing, sheep shearing, water sports, cycling the Olympic Way and taking a historic walk in the country, are just some of the myriad of activities to try in the Lee Valley this May.
Stay the weekend
When visiting Lee Valley White Water Centre and the open spaces including River Lee Country Park, people can make a weekend of it by staying at one of the camping and caravan parks in the Lee Valley, including Lee Valley Caravan Park, Dobbs Weir, which offers a range of accommodation including Wigwams®, which are stylish timber cabins.
www.visitleevalley.org.uk/camping
For other ideas or a chance to get away from it all, there are plenty of walks or cycle routes in the Lee Valley, with over 30 walking routes and more than 20 cycle routes to find the perfect day out for the family. Bring the family and enjoy discovering the many and varied walks in the award winning open spaces.
Go to www.visitleevalley.org.uk and download a range of recommended cycle and walking routes.
Enjoy the May Bank Holiday and half term at Bluewater
Shop until 9pm and the restaurants and cinema are open until late.
At Pirate’s Cove Adventure Park, guests of all ages can navigate their way through two adventure-filled 18-hole mini golf courses, featuring pirate ships, cascading waterfalls, castles and sunken boats, followed by family fun aboard the Pirate Pedaloes over on the Blue Lagoon. Krispy Kreme at Bluewater will be hosting a series of activities over the break for all to enjoy:
- Doughnut-decorating workshops, 10am-12pm (28th – 30th May & 4th and 5th June)
- Colouring competitions, all day (28th May – 5th June)
- 15 minute doughnut tours, 10am-12pm (31st May and 1st June) £4.85pp
- Face painting, 10am-12pm (2nd and 3rd June)
50 acres of stunning parkland and lakes surrounding Bluewater. This beautiful space is a haven for many species of flora and fauna, and is the perfect place for family walks and cycle rides. The great outdoors at Bluewater is also home to three kid’s playgrounds, including sandpits, climbing areas and an adventure trail.
For added thrills, the Sega XD Theatre is a must. The 4D motion ride – the first of its kind in England – gives people the chance to watch 3D movies with motion seats and giant fans to experience a film like no other.
Younger family members will have a great time at Splat, the soft play zone where children up to the age of seven can leap about and run riot. A small Splat play area for under threes is also available offering lots of fun and entertainment for tiny tots.
THE VERY BEST SHOPPING & DINING www.Bluewater.co.uk
UDDERBELLY FESTIVAL
UDDERBELLY, SOUTH BANK LONDON SATURDAY
28TH MAY – SUNDAY 5TH JUNE 2016
Brainiac Live! – the explosive, interactive mash-up of pop-science and live entertainment based on the cult television series, arrives at Udderbelly Festival this summer for a strictly limited run.
Strap on your safety goggles boys and girls; due to popular demand Science’s greatest and most volatile live show is returning with a vengeance. Based on the multi-award winning TV show, more mischievous than ever before. Brainiac Live! takes you on a breathless ride through the wild world of the weird and wonderful. Expect exploding dustbins, combusting microwaves and loads of live daredevil stunts! Watch from the safety of your seat as the Brainiacs delve fearlessly into the mysteries of science and do all of those things on stage that you’re too scared to do at home.
Family show for 7yrs-11yrs that hits the stage with a bang. Literally. This May Half Term, expect mischief, mayhem and a big dollop of real life science with 16 shows over 9 days, on London’s South Bank.
Box Office: 0844 545 8282 www.udderbelly.co.uk www.BrainiacLive.com Buy tickets here
Blackbeard’s Horrible May Half Term in Cornwall
Budding buccaneers will love Blackbeard’s Horrible Half Term, 28 May – 5 June, at Pirate’s Quest in Newquay. A fantastic family adventure, embark on a tour with the infamous pirate crew and follow a special treasure map to discover Blackbeard’s Hidden gold! Discover the truth about Edward Teach, infamous pirate ‘Blackbeard, and his notorious past.
The hour long interactive experience, led by a live Pirate, allows you and your crewmates to feel, hear, smell and see intriguing legends and exciting history – from Ship-Wreck to Ship-Deck!
Learn about Cornish legends, hear stories of smuggling and discover more about Cornwall’s pirating past. Fun for all the family, swashbucklin’ sailors can also complete a treasure map to claim a Republic of Pirates Membership Card and earn themselves some Treasure. Book online and save 10% (book before 10.30am on day of visit) or call the crew
Pirate’s Quest, 22 St Michael’s Road, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1RA | 01637 873379
info@piratesquest.co.uk www.piratesquest.co.uk
Dreamland welcomes new permanent ride in time for summer season
- Dreamland Margate is delighted to announce its new ride in time for the upcoming summer season.
- The Chair-O-Plane originally a 1930s ride, boasts a beautiful restored design.
- The ride will be open to guests from this weekend, 21st May onwards.
For more info, visit www.dreamland.co.uk/rides-and-attractions/rides
The Festival Theatre at Hever Castle
Roald Dahl’s DANNY THE CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
Weds 1st & Thurs 2nd June
Danny and his devoted father live in a caravan and operate the petrol station and garage. When Danny turns nine he is devastated to find out about his father’s secret passion for pheasant poaching in the estate of the nasty, greedy Victor Hazell, the local wealthy landowner. One night, Danny awakes to find his father has not returned from a night of poaching. Fearing that his father may be in danger, Danny sets off to rescue him. Soon, with a little help from the village, Danny finds himself the mastermind behind the most incredible and exciting plot ever attempted against Victor Hazell.
A magnificent, funny and heart-warming story perfectly suited to the open-air.
Ticket Price: Adult – £16.50; Child – £14; Family Ticket (2A&2C/1A&3C) – £52
Performances start at 2:30pm; Gates open at 1:45pm; Exit 6pm
Box Office 01732 866114 www.heverfestival.co.uk
TRADITIONAL FUN AND GAMES AND CLASSIC VEHICLES AT KENT LIFE
Award-winning attraction celebrates the county’s farming traditions at its annual Country Fair on June 18 and 19.
Get stuck into life at the farm by learning how to groom and feed the animals, having a go on the tractor driving course (Saturday only) and joining in the sheep dog demos.
Falconry display, vintage farmhouses, blacksmith, old-fashioned steam organ, local produce, craft stalls, barbecue, refreshing drink in the small beer tent, baking.
Sunday June 19 a Classic Vehicle Show,
28 acres of glorious countryside, beautiful gardens, orchard,hand-picked hop gardens, wildlife discovery trail; and coal-fired oast house.Plenty of animals to see, including pigs, sheep, ducks, goats, alpacas, horses and ponies. And with large indoor play areas to explore, Kent Life offers a fun-packed day whatever the weather.
Kent Life is in Sandling, near Maidstone, just off junction 6 of the M20 or only an hour by train from London. For details visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.
THE STAGE IS SET FOR THE 176TH ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW
The 176th Royal Highland Show, one of Scotland’s most iconic events, is set to take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh from 23-26 June 2016.
Firmly established as one of Europe’s most impressive celebrations of farming, food and rural life, the Royal Highland Show – which last year attracted almost 190,000 visitors – showcases top quality livestock, food and drink and rural living at its most vibrant.
The Royal Highland Show, the best of farming, food and rural life the summer’s most surprising event – takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh @ScotlandRHShow #RHS2016 www.royalhighlandshow.org
Enjoy a crafty weekend, Design and Craft Fair, featuring MADE
West Dean College, Near Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ www.westdean.org.uk
3, 4 & 5 June 10am to 5pm Hands-on creative workshops throughout the weekend. These mini sessions will be run by some of the college’s specialist short course tutors, including basketmakers, jewellers, potters, artists, printers and sculptors, and offer the chance to experience what the college has to offer for just a small additional cost on top of the price of entry. FREE craft demonstrations and talks. Free entry to the award-winning West Dean Gardens is also included in the price of entry.
DESIGN AND CRAFT WORKSHOPS:
visit www.westdean.org.uk/events. (Advance booking online is recommended. An entry ticket to the event is also required and can be purchased online or at the event).
CHILDREN’S WORKSHOPS FRIDAY 3, SATURDAY 4 AND SUNDAY 5 JUNE
Free family events at National Museums Liverpool (June)
- River Festival
MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL
1 – 5 June
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/riverfestival
WORLD MUSEUM
Free entry Open daily 10am-5pm
William Brown Street, Liverpool
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml
Telephone 0151 478 4136
@world_museum
MERSEYSIDE MARITIME MUSEUM
Free entry Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/maritime
Telephone 0151 478 4499
@merseymaritime
INTERNATIONAL SLAVERY MUSEUM
Free entry Open daily 10am-5pm
Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/ism/
Telephone 0151 478 4499
@slaverymuseum
SEIZED! THE BORDER AND CUSTOMS UNCOVERED
Free entry Open daily 10am-5pm
Located within the Merseyside Maritime Museum, Albert Dock, Liverpool Waterfront
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/seized
Telephone 0151 478 4499
@merseymaritime
Birdworld conservation evening
Birdworld are throwing open their doors for a fiver per person on Friday 3rd June from 6.30pm – 9.00pm to help the abandoned penguin chicks of South Africa.
Join us for a Picnic in the Park, have a fab family night out and do your bit for conservation just by turning up! There will be exciting photo opportunities for all, including the chance to have your picture taken with one of our friendly celebrity animals, before meeting the stars of the show – our penguins themselves!
Our keepers will be on hand to answer all your questions, there will be fun activities for the little ones, a giant tombola, creepy crawly critters, opportunities to win tickets to other great attractions in our raffle and the chance to bag yourself a bargain on our fun-fundraising stall.
Why do penguins need our help?
Birdworld is home to two thriving colonies of penguins, all of whom enjoy daily feeds and a variety of fishy snacks, but the story for the wild population is vastly different. Penguin numbers are declining at an alarming rate due to human abuse of their habitat. Overfishing, pollution and global warming are devastating the world’s oceans, and each year the number of surviving penguins declines still further. Enter SANCCOB (The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds), a conservation organisation fighting to save the coastal birds of South Africa.
Birdworld has been working with and fundraising for SANCCOB as part of our portfolio of conservation actions in recent years, donating thousands of pounds annually to conservation and redoubling its efforts to do even more in the coming year.
The park is committed to helping out not only with financial assistance but also by sharing their husbandry expertise. In 2014 senior keeper Jack Williams was sent to SANCCOB in South Africa to pass on his specialist knowledge of chick rearing. And keeper Zoe Keeping also volunteered her skills and time there in 2011.
In addition, Birdworld is currently hosting an online auction with all proceeds going to swell the SANCCOB abandoned chick appeal. The lots include hotel accommodation, tea for two, Stadium tours, motor racing experiences and Birdworld experience packages. If you want to bag a bargain or for more general information about the Conservation Fund visit www.birdworld.co.uk
Could June be your lucky month?
Drayton Manor Park set to welcome 50 millionth visitor!
Drayton Manor Park is expecting to welcome its 50 millionth visitor within the first two weeks of June and the lucky visitor who marks the occasion will win a package of a lifetime!
An unbeatable prize package complete with confetti, balloons and lots and lots of fun. On the day, the winner will receive a VIP Thomas Land room with light refreshments and lunch overlooking Thomas Land, a personal visit from the Fat Controller, a personal guide for the day, fast pass entry and exit for the rides all day long, a photo pass to collect up to four photos and a delicious meal for four at the Grill Inn restaurant.
What’s more, Drayton Manor is also offering the winner a five year Season Pass, providing unlimited entry to the park, plus a special Stay & Play package for the Drayton Manor Hotel valid for 12 months. The lucky winner can also spend a night in the presidential suite or a Thomas themed room at the on-site four star hotel!*
But don’t feel disheartened if you aren’t the one to win. In celebration the family theme park has promised to offer 1,000 50p tickets** in the days following the announcement, so you can enjoy a fantastic day out with the family for just a fraction of the cost.
To be in with the chance of winning you can book tickets on the website www.draytonmanor.co.uk or call 0844 472 1950. Reduced prices are available for tickets bought in advance.
For regular updates and news about Drayton Manor Park join it on Twitter www.twitter.com/Draytonmanor and Facebook www.facebook.com/DraytonManorPark
