12 minute read
The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt
If you’ve got lots of days to fill during this long school holiday, we’re here to help! Read on to find out what to do and where to do it! From woodland adventures to hands-on science fun, we’re sure you’ll find enough local entertainment to cater for all budgets, interests and British weather conditions, all summer long!
Conquer A Mighty Hilltop Fortress At Beeston Castle
Looking for things to do this summer holiday? Get ready for an extraordinary day out in history at Beeston Castle! With its 4,000year history and stunning views, Beeston Castle has something for everyone to enjoy – climb to the top of the keep to watch for enemies on the horizon, let imaginations run wild in the winding woodland walk and peer deep into the castle well, said to be the hiding place of Richard II’s lost treasure! From 22nd July –3rd September, take part in their Summer Explorer Quest, a fun adventure with a historical twist in the grounds of Beeston Castle. And don’t miss the thrilling Knights’ Tournament on the 27th-28th August, where swords will clash as rival knights compete in the ultimate test of strength and skill!
Book online and save 10%, search Beeston Castle
LET YOUR ADVENTURERS CONQUER THE RAPIDS THIS SUMMER!
Canolfan Tryweryn
– The National White Water Centre offers fantastic whitewater adventures on the River Tryweryn. Located in Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) your young adventurers will zoom down exhilarating, natural whitewater rapids. They’ve been offering a variety of rafting sessions to suit all tastes for 40 years and our favourite for families is the Raft Safari run to Bala. If you’re not ready to brave the rapids you can still enjoy the stunning riverside scenery, play area, picnic spots and café. T: 01678 521083 W: www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk
A BRILLIANT DAY OUT FOR ALL THE FAMILY AT VIKING QUEST ADVENTURE GOLF!
Breathing vivid life into Wirral’s rich heritage, Viking Quest 18-hole adventure golf course is a leisure and learning experience where kids of all ages can enjoy a fantastic day out. The fully themed course offers optional levels of difficulty, ensuring that adults are as challenged as the little ones, creating the ideal location for family time, an evening out with friends, birthday parties, corporate events and team building. No booking is required. Start your quest whenever you want! Moreton Hills Golf Centre.
W: www.vikingquestadventuregolf.co.uk
Quote “PRIMARY TIMES” for 10% off!
An Epic Jurassic Live Adventure At Bolesworth Castle
Experience a dinosaur adventure millions of years in the making at Bolesworth Castle near Chester this summer! Jurassic Live Adventure is set to roar open from 25th-30th July, with a T-Rex, velociraptors, triceratops and many more taking visitors on an unforgettable prehistoric adventure. As well as the chance to get up close to a host of dinosaur species, food and refreshments plus a small funfair will be available to enjoy before and after your ‘dino-mite’ tour. Get tickets and find out more online. W: www.bolesworth.com/dinosaurs
JOIN FAMILY-FAVOURITE ZOG ON A FOREST ADVENTURE AT DELAMERE FOREST!
With colourful panels, fun activity pack and an amazing, augmented reality Zog app, follow the interactive trail at Delamere Forest to find out how your little dragons can help care for the forest, others and themselves. Kids can unleash their imagination and become like Zog by wearing
W: www.forestryengland.uk/delamere-forest
LET TRACS GET YOUR FAMILY CYCLE-READY FOR OUTDOOR FUN THIS SUMMER!
Tracs (UK) Ltd is based in the heart of Delamere Forest and offers individuals of all ages and ability the opportunity to experience cycling through their scenic forest either on wide open, family-friendly forest roads or for the more skilled there are miles of uninterrupted single-tracks to discover. There is also a skills area for the more experienced riders. Tracs offer an extensive variety of hire bikes including a choice of child seat, buggy and tag-a-long. They also have a shop on site to take care of all your needs including a range of new bikes, parts, safety equipment and toys. Children’s parties, guided rides, even learn-to-ride days are available to book with Tracs. On site they have a full workshop with Cytech trained mechanics to take care of all your bike servicing needs too.
T: 01606 881 802 W: www.delamerebikes.co.uk
THE GRAND BUG & PEST HOTEL HUNT AT RHS GARDEN BRIDGEWATER
Because bugs need a break too, Lloyd and friends are off on their holidays. At least, they will be if Lloyd can remember where the hotel is… This summer, visit a resort with a difference: The Grand Bug & Pest Hotel. Opening on 22nd July at RHS Garden Bridgewater in Greater Manchester, this luxurious getaway boasts an Olympic-size outdoor puddle and spectacular views over a tuft of grass. It’s the perfect place for a miniature adventure! Lloyd and friends have booked a stay at the hotel, but Lloyd’s lost the map. Can you help them reach their fabulous vacation destination? Download Lloyd’s augmented reality Bug Hunt app and have fun on the Grand Bug & Pest Hotel Hunt trail. You can meet all sorts of bugs on an animal encounter with Zoolab, enjoy Aardman model making and animation workshops, and family-friendly theatre shows! Advance booking required, normal garden admission applies. T: 0161 503 6100 W: www.rhs.org.uk
SCHOOL’S OUT AND SUMMER IS SORTED WITH BENTS
Discover an abundance of ideas to keep the little ones moving and their minds active down at Bents Garden & Home. The fun extends from the Outdoor Play Area and Covered Beach to the beauty of Weeping Ash Garden, where a host of friendly fairies and dinosaurs are waiting to be discovered. There are crafting activities, storytime picnics and not forgetting the 18-hole Jurassic Cove Adventure Golf Course. And once the little ones have expended all their energy, why not indulge yourselves with a well-deserved treat in one of Bents’ delicious dining destinations. W: www.bents.co.uk
ENTERTAIN THE TROOPS AT TWO ALL-ACTION SHOWS COMING TO CHESHIRE
Two action-packed shows coming to Cheshire are a must for your diary! Firstly, the Cheshire Steam Fair takes place on the 8th & 9th July near Daresbury, Warrington and will feature the West Lancs Dog Display Team, Owl Adventures, Wall of Death, Traction Engines, Vintage Vehicles, Craft & Fine Food Marquee, and the all-important Childrens Corner including Model Boat Pool and SandArt, plus vintage & modern fairground to keep younger visitors entertained! Secondly, The Astle Park Traction Engine Rally arrives on the 12th & 13th August and will feature over 90 Traction Engines, Vintage Vehicles, plus lots of food, Saturday night fireworks, as well as children’s entertainment. Day tickets or weekend camping with evening entertainment is available, see website for details. W: www.outdoorshows.co.uk
Step Into Chester Cathedral This Summer For Days Of Fun And Discovery
Making Tracks 3 by Pete Waterman OBE and his ‘Railnuts’ returns for its third and final year with an exciting new layout replicating Milton Keynes. Like last year, visitors will be able to control the trains from tablets! Summer entry into the Cathedral is only £3 which includes Making Tracks 3, Chester Mystery Plays exhibition, and exploring the Cathedral. Whilst visiting, book onto their award-winning Tower Tour where you’ll climb to the top of the Cathedral’s central tower and discover areas and views of the building not accessible to the general public. Check the Cathedral’s website for full details of what’s on this summer. W: www.chestercathedral.com
GET READY TO EMBARK ON AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY WITH CAMPERHOLIDAY THIS SUMMER!
Picture this – the wind in your hair, the open road stretching out before you, and the joyous laughter of your loved ones. With CamperHoliday’s comfortable and fully equipped VW campervans, your family will experience the freedom to go wherever the road takes you – and let’s face it, there are plenty of amazing destinations on our doorstep. Fred, Wilma and Pebbles come with generous mileage allowances and affordable pre-covid hire rates. Dog-friendly too! Plan effortlessly on their user-friendly website, packed with tips, inspiration and itineraries.
T: 01606 614 614 E: admin@camperholiday.co.uk
W: www.camperholiday.co.uk
Quote ‘PTSummer’ for a special summer discount
NON-STOP FUN FOR ALL ON FAMILY DAY AT CHESTER RACECOURSE
Family Day has been taking place at Chester Racecourse since 1995. In that time, it’s become a staple summer event for the local community, stretching across the North West and even into North Wales. Known for its incredible value, the Family Day has become an annual tradition for local families. Each year the Open Course is transformed into a wonderland for children and families. Activities, which are completely free to everyone who has a ticket, promise an entire day full of non-stop fun and entertainment. Kids 17 and under go free!
Book your tickets online. W: chester-races.com
ENDLESS EXCITEMENT FOR ALL AGES AT GREENWOOD FAMILY PARK!
Get your adrenaline pumping on exhilarating rides, from the speedy Green Dragon Roller Coaster to the dizzying Solar Splash Water Slide. Take a leap of faith on the amazing Giant Jumper or challenge your friends to a race on the Jungle Boats. GreenWood Family Park guarantees non-stop thrills for all ages. Book online in advance and save up to 20%! W: www.greenwoodfamilypark.co.uk
Rhs Flower Show Tatton Park Offers Interactive Fun For Their Young Visitors
From origami insects to mini-beast magic, you’ll find family-friendly activities by the barrow-load at this year’s RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park taking place from the 19th-23rd July. Brand new for 2023, Discover is an interactive and immersive hub where visitors of all ages can get hands-on with all things nature-based, including woodland skills and dry stone wallinginspired games. Don’t miss The Bug Hub, where little ones can build their own bug hotel, and go on an excellent adventure with Aardman’s Lloyd of the Flies. W: www.rhs.org.uk
Get Ready For A Forest Full Of Family Adventures At Bewilderwood
Enjoy a full day of family fun at BeWILDerwood Cheshire this summer! Explore giant slippery slides, extra-long zip wires, muddled mazes, face painting, crafts and more! Plus, everything is included in your ticket which really does make BeWILDerwood a great value day out. As well as all the usual fun, from 1st July – 5th September visitors can enjoy a brand new event. Based on the third book in the BeWILDerwood book series, BeWILDermuddle welcomes a new Crocklebog Crown craft, Soopa Scale face paint and story at the Storytelling Stage. Again, all this and more included in your ticket, hooray! Book tickets on the BeWILDerwood website. W: BeWILDerwood.co.uk
64 foot track is modelled after Milton Keynes railway station with special never seen before features and trains. Like previous years, visitors will be able to drive the trains using dedicated control tablets.
Discover The Delights Of The Extraordinary Port Sunlight
Take the family to discover Port Sunlight, a unique village with an extraordinary story. What was the nineteenth century creation of William Lever to house his ‘Sunlight Soap’ factory workers, now offers the perfect day out for all ages to enjoy. Explore the village’s fascinating story at Port Sunlight Museum, step back in time inside the Edwardian Worker’s Cottage and have fun discovering the science of soap at the interactive SoapWorks exhibition. If that’s not enough, there’s plenty of space for picnics and play in the village’s beautiful parks. Visit their website to plan your family day out. W: www.portsunlightvillage.com
HANDS-ON FUN BRINGS SCIENCE TO LIFE AT CATALYST
Catalyst makes science exciting and fun for everyone! Visit the ground floor interactive gallery where you can film in the TV studio, create an animation, make a marble run, test the scarf shooter and more! Enjoy panoramic views across Cheshire from the rooftop Observatory Gallery, visit the historical Birth of an Industry and Baker Galleries or stop for a tasty snack or drink in the dog friendly Catalyst café. Hands-on workshops over the summer include Bubble Trouble, Desert Island Survival, The Light Show, Operation Earth, Over the Rainbow and Bee Discovery! Go online to book tickets. W: www.catalyst.org.uk
ROARSOME SUNNY ADVENTURES AT TATTON PARK WITH TIGER AND MOG!
To mark the centenary of the birth of Judith Kerr, award winning writer and illustrator of the much-loved stories of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and Mog the Forgetful Cat, Tatton Park will be featuring a Tiger and Mog themed summer. With the Tiger activity tea-party trail through the gardens, Mog in the Maize maze at the Farm and a trail to help Mog find her toy Bunny in the Mansion, children can immerse themselves in a make-believe world and even meet Tiger and Mog themselves on selected days. W: www.tattonpark.org.uk
LIVERPOOL ONE HOSTS ANOTHER PACKED SUMMER OF FUN, FREE EVENTS
Liverpool ONE is truly the place to come together this summer. They love packing the summer full of exciting reasons to visit; they’ve now been doing it in the city for 15 years. Look forward to a family-friendly programme that brings fantastic events to the city for free, with a variety of themes to suit everyone in the family. Spend some time in shops that’ll light up their faces and enjoy a family meal at one of the go-to restaurants on the Terrace. Check out all the summer plans at Liverpool ONE by visiting www.liverpool-one.com or by downloading the Liverpool ONE MyONE App.
Hey Duggee Family Fun Day At The East Lancashire Railway
Enjoy a Family Fun Day on the 24th & 25th August and join Duggee as he explores the Bury Transport Museum! Take your young Squirrels to meet Duggee at intervals on each day and don’t forget your camera! That’s not all, the family fun continues with a selection of fair rides, face painting and craft activities, all included in the ticket price. Complete your day out with a ride on a heritage steam or diesel train on the East Lancashire Railway, ticket price includes a ride on any ELR train services on the day of your visit. General admission tickets must be purchased online. W: www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk
EXOTIC ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS AT REASEHEATH MINI ZOO!
Open on weekends and school holidays, Reaseheath Mini Zoo is set in the scenic rural grounds of Reaseheath College and during your visit you can see exotic species from around the world. Why not catch a keeper talk during your visit to find out more about their collection? Or you can book one of their many unique and memorable zoo experiences. They are open daily for the summer holidays from 27th July until 3rd September. We hope you thoroughly enjoy your visit! W: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/zoo
CAN YOU IMAGINE FIGHTING IN THE TRENCHES? FIND OUT THE FACTS AT CHESHIRE MILITARY MUSEUM
This summer, why not explore over 300 years of history at the Cheshire Military Museum, Chester. It promises fun and new knowledge for all members of the family – you’ll discover all about the hardships and life in the First World War trenches, you can venture into their tiny WW2 pill box and learn where the soldiers of Cheshire have served around the world. Enjoy Activity days every Friday throughout the summer holidays. Open from 11am-4pm (last entry 3pm), Thursday to Sunday. Disabled access to all galleries and an admission charge applies. Get in touch for more information of living history events and more. T: 01244 327617 W: www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.org.uk
Summer Of Space Adventures For The Whole Family At Jodrell Bank
At Jodrell Bank, their summer programme is action-packed! Discover their First Light Pavilion, stare into space and learn some rocket science, all whilst exploring a UNESCO World Heritage site! Watch ‘We Are Guardians’, one of their NEW spectacular planetarium shows, treat your astronauts to lunch in the cafe, run wild in the woods, or enjoy a picnic under the mighty Lovell telescope. A visit to Jodrell Bank is out of this world, and if you book in advance, you can visit again for FREE for 12 months! Boom! Tickets from £8. W: www.jodrellbank.net
WHAT NEW DISCOVERIES WILL YOU MAKE THIS HOLIDAY?
Eureka! Science + Discovery is a brand-new attraction, housed in the Seacombe Ferry Terminal building, that has been created with and for children and young people aged 0-14. If you’re familiar with their sister site in Halifax, you’ll recognise their unique blend of creative, hands-on learning combined with cutting edge 21st century technology that has resulted in an engaging and fun-filled family day out and discovery experience! Please check their website and social media for opening hours and for what’s on! On site parking is available. Multiple bus stops outside with regular connections to Liverpool, Woodside, New Brighton and Wallasey. W: www.eurekadiscovery.org.uk
Embrace The Magic And Imagination At Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre
Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre is a magical outdoor theatre-in-the-round in the heart of picturesque
Grosvenor Park, a beloved fixture of Chester’s summer. This summer, Shakespeare’s most magical, gleeful comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream invites audiences of ALL ages to follow their heart and embrace their imagination. A giddy riot for all the family, plus under 12s go FREE! Elsewhere in the park, little ones under 5 can join Ratty, Mole, Badger and Toad for an adorable storytelling adventure. W: www.storyhouse.com
ENJOY EXHIBITS, ENTERTAINMENT AND EXCEPTIONAL FOOD AT THE DENBIGH AND FLINT SHOW
The vibrant Denbigh and Flint Show and Food Festival will take place on 17th August at The Green, Denbigh and it promises to be a great day out! The Main Ring attractions will feature The Stannage Stunt Team and Shetland Pony Grand National, plus much more. Not to be missed is the vintage tractor display, food festival, dog show, show jumping, live music, livestock exhibits, and light horse show and there are hundreds of trade stands for you to visit! Tickets are now on sale via the website or from the Show Office in Holywell. Further details on tickets, membership, schedules, and attractions can be found on their website. W: www.denbighandflintshow.com
Wed 19 – Sun 23 July 2023
Enjoy a day of good green-fingered fun with plenty to see and do for kids of all ages and their grown-ups!
Explore inspiring gardens, vibrant florals and excellent plant shopping, and get kids excited about the great outdoors with a range of interactive features. They’ll love learning more about creepy crawlies and their homes and habitats at The Bug Hub, get hands-on with woodland skills and go on an adventure with Lloyd of the Flies!
Kids visit for £8.85,* under 5s go free