The Best UK Events and Half Term Activities in February
Depending on your location, this year’s February half term dates are either Monday 12th – Friday 16th February, or from Monday 19th-23rd February.
There are loads of events in the half term weeks – and plenty more going on throughout the month.
Here’s a selection of some of the best…
Out of this World activities, Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Cheshire: 19-23 February
www.jodrellbank.net/visit/whats-here/whats-on
Keep your eyes to the skies at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire. There are plenty of fun-filled activities over half term, including telescope walking tours, science shows, expert talks and activities for under 5s.
Tim Peake’s spacecraft, National Railway Museum, York: 10-18 February
Equally out of this world, but now, thankfully, back on Earth, Tim Peake’s spacecraft will be displayed in York’s Railway Museum over half term. There are plenty of free hands-on activities dedicated to space-age engineering, a VR experience and plenty more to keep aspiring astronauts entertained!
Lakes Ignite, Lake District, Cumbria: January to July
www.lakesculture.co.uk/spark-your-imagination-lakes-ignite-2018/
Six specially commissioned works of art designed to celebrate the amazing beauty of the Lake District are on display until July 2018. The works are on display in different parts of the park and comprised of metal, wood, mirrors, inflatables, performance and virtual reality!
Early Man at Eden, Eden project, Bodelva, Cornwall: 10-18 February
www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/early-man-at-eden-february-half-term
Celebrate Aardman Films’ Early Man with a host of half term events at the amazing Eden project in Cornwall. Search for your own ‘Schnookle’ coin, explore the Cave and make your own drawings, learn skills and more!
The Snow Roads Scenic Route, Cairngorms, Scotland
www.visitcairngorms.com/snowroads
The Snow Roads are slow roads, a 90 mile scenic journey from the lovely market town of Blairgowrie to the traditional Highland town of Grantown-on-Spey. The highest public road in Britain allows some of the most spectacular landscapes in the UK.
Electric Woods, Newport, Isle of Wight, 10-25 February
www.electricwoods.co.uk/events/spirit-of-the-orient-2018
Few visits to the Isle of Wight are as illuminating as a visit to the Electric Woods. Celebrate the Chinese New Year with the Spirit of the Orient light up festival, a wonderful electric woodland experience with 3D water projections, lion dance choreography and more!
Jorvik Viking Festival, York: 12-18 February
www.jorvikvikingfestival.co.uk
The Vikings make their annual return to York for the world’s largest week-long commemoration of a seminal moment of British history. Enjoy walks, talks, tours, dramatic combat performances and much more!
China’s Terracotta Army, Liverpool World Museum: 9 February onwards
www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wml/exhibitions/terracotta-warriors
China’s underground army of terracotta warriors secretly guarded the tomb of China’s first emperor for over 2,000 years. Now they’ve made the visit to Liverpool – along with a selection of ancient rare artefacts – in this must-visit event.
Dark Skies Festival, National Parks around the UK: 9-25 February
www.darkskiesnationalparks.org.uk
Northumberland, North York Moors, South Downs and the Yorkshire Dales are the locations for a joint celebration of dark skies and the wonders they contain! There are events throughout the month across each location – or you could just enjoy it in your own way.
Geek, Dreamland, Margate, Kent: 16-18 February
www.dreamland.co.uk/events/listings/eventdetail/2836/9/geek
Get your geek on at the amazing GEEK festival in Margate, Kent. Celebrate 40 years of Space Invaders, enjoy videogame tournaments, virtual reality headsets, board games a huge marketplace and more!
Cornish Pasty Week, Cornwall: 25 Feb-3 March
www.cornishpastyassociation.co.uk
The first ever celebration of Cornwall’s iconic pasty will be enjoyed in the last week of February, culminating in the seventh-annual World Pasty Championships at the Eden Project – with music, comedy and more. Have you got what it takes to be a world pasty champion?
Camra Great British Beer Winter Festival, Norwich: 20-24 February
Eat, drink and be merry in the stunning medieval city of Norwich. Enjoy light ales to ruby and dark ales, foreign beers and ciders in medieval friary halls with food, entertainment and more!
