School’s out for Summer as Alice Cooper once sang and there’s a host of attractions around England for kids to lap up over the six-week holiday period.
But you don’t have to trawl through them all, Your-Hols.com and VisitEngland have teamed up to highlight the best things on offer to while away those summer hours.
Spot the dog, Bristol
Families can play ‘spot the dog’ in Bristol by following a trail of 80 giant Gromits, modeled on the iconic and triple Oscar-winning animated character. The giant hand-painted sculptures will be on the streets from Monday July 1 for ten weeks in a major new public art trail called Gromit Unleashed. Each Gromit has been uniquely designed by artists and celebrities including Zayn Malik from One Direction, The Snowman creator Raymond Briggs and Wallace and Gromit creator Nick Park (above).
www.gromitunleashed.org.uk
The House at Pooh Corner, Hampshire
From July13 to September 15, explore the wonderful world of a boy and his bear, when Christopher Robin, Winnie-the-Pooh and the Hundred Acre Wood are celebrated at the National Trust’s Mottisfont in Hampshire. On show for the first time in the UK, visitors can enjoy 36 hand-painted illustrations by E.H. Shepard, created for the books Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner. Children can experience Pooh inspired forest escapades for themselves, when they embark on Winnie-the-Pooh’s Great “Expotition” – a trail which will see families racing Poohsticks along the River Test, tree climbing and tracking a Woozle.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/mottisfont/things-to-see-and-do/events
Summer Spelltacular, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter is inviting kids to delve into the world of spell casting, potions and wizard duels as it hosts its first Summer Spells exhibition. Visitors will discover first-hand how spells such as Wingardium Leviosa came to life on screen and how the wand movements that accompanied them were developed.
www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
Walk with dinosaurs, Isle of Wight
This year sees the 20th anniversary of Jurassic Park and the release of Walking with Dinosaurs, so 2013 is being dubbed the ‘year of the dinosaur’. To celebrate, Dinosaur Island (aka Isle of Wight) is inviting people to cross the Solent and search for prehistoric remains using an augmented reality app. New technology, which can only be activated on the island, takes visitors on a trail to six coastal locations where they can take a picture of their family and friends walking alongside the dinosaurs that roamed the Isle of Wight 130 million years ago. A hop-on/hop-off bus service, which takes in all six of the locations, will run until November 14 and costs £10 for adults, £5 for children.
www.visitisleofwight.co.uk/dinosaur-island
Knight’s Glamping at Leeds Castle, Kent
Dubbed the loveliest castle in the world, Leeds Castle in Kent is offering families the chance to escape to the countryside for a glamorous camping holiday. Located just under an hour’s drive from London, eight traditionally coloured striped tents based on medieval design, form a ‘village’ on the one-acre castle vineyard. Each tent is equipped with a luxury four poster bed, log burning stove, crisp cotton bedding and cosy fur throws.
www.leeds-castle.com
Festival of Neighbourhood on London’s Southbank
Watch the Southbank transform into London’s friendliest neighbourhood as giant art, roof gardens, allotments and a beach pop-up at the Festival of Neighbourhood until September 8. Visit the Beano exhibit, this Dennis the Menace British classic celebrates 75 years in 2013, watch circus theatre and cabaret at the London Wonderground and build sandcastles on the pop-up beach. Should the skies open, head to the Imperial War Museum, which partially reopens on July 29 with family exhibition Horrible Histories: Spies.
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/festival-of-neighbourhood
www.iwm.org.uk
Horrible Histories at Warwick Castle
For more Horrible Histories, head to Warwick Castle to see the foulest and funniest moments in our history brought to life at Britain’s Ultimate Castle. From July 20 – September 1, the castle is helping children’s classic, Horrible Histories, celebrate its 20th anniversary by hosting five Horrible Histories camps around the castle grounds. Visitors can meet the Terrible Tudors, including Henry VIII and his royal executioner, visit the Vile Victorians classroom, meet The Stormin’ Normans and even encounter the Vicious Vikings. England’s history has never been so fun, the only question is – are you brave enough?
www.warwick-castle.com
Build sand castles in a real castle, Oxford
Oxford will soon have a beach, with 23 tonnes of sand, deck chairs and palm trees to be deposited in Oxford Castle. From June 24, visitors to the historic Oxford Castle Quarter should don their best swimsuit for coastal-esque entertainment such as petanque, beach volleyball, Punch & Judy, BBQs, or just to simply bask in the sunshine.
