ALL-ROUND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT AT THE ROYAL CHESHIRE COUNTY SHOW

This summer at Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre, enjoy a spectacular performance for families, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Deep in the forest, four teenagers on a voyage of discovery happen upon a spellbinding world of colour and enchantment. Join them and be carried away to the circus where feuding monarchs, magical fairies, chief mischief-maker Puck and a company of unlikely players combine in one fast, fabulous and fantastical tale. Shakespeare’s most magical, gleeful comedy invites audiences of all ages to follow their heart and embrace their imagination this summer. A giddy riot for all the family. Get one free under-12 ticket with every full price adult ticket; plus, under 16s get 20% off. W: www.grosvenorpark.co.uk

The Royal Cheshire County Show is back, bringing a wonderful celebration of the Cheshire countryside, agriculture, food & family fun. Enjoy all your favourite attractions and competitions, including light and heavy horses, livestock, the Cheshire Farmers Market, the Robert’s Bakery Food Village and the Shetland Pony Grand National. Adult tickets are just £25, and children aged 5-17 pay just £12! Children under 5 enter free. Family tickets are also available for £60, which includes 2 adults and 2 children (aged 5-17). W: www.royalcheshireshow.org

Experience the dedicated plant nurseries, high-quality garden accessory traders and a Countryside Marquee. Discover tree climbing, trampolines & teacups, and a playzone including a zip wire. As well as the schools’ gardening challenge, beautiful flowerbeds can be enjoyed. Gifts, crafts and food traders, live music and vintage cars are also part of the show with ice cream and refreshments readily to hand. Garden tours, entry to the Hall and Gardens along with talks and demonstrations, and free parking are all part of your ticket. Dogs are very welcome. W: www.arleyhallandgardens.com

FREE BUS FROM: Knutsford, Northwich and Altrincham train stations

May half term is nearly here and with warmer weather to come, it’s time to start heading out to the great value attractions dotted around the county. Many are geared up for brilliant half term activities with lots of interactive things to do or see, while other venues offer superb family days out for this holiday and beyond. Take a look, then relax knowing you’ve got your family fun time covered!

There are lots of reasons to visit Tatton Park this season. You’ll find a fun and interactive The Tiger Who Came to Tea adventure trail in the gardens up until 3rd September. Get hands on playing in Sophie’s Kitchen, collect some teatime favourites and snap a photo with the tiger. Other May half term adventures, from 27th May-4th June, include storytelling in the gardens between 11am-4pm each day. Sit a while and enjoy listening to some of Judith Kerr’s classic tales, including The Tiger Who Came to Tea, Mog the Forgetful Cat and Mog and Bunny. W: www.tattonpark.org.uk

Take to the track with a brand-new racing themed area, featuring the Grand Prix Racers Rollercoaster and a stomach-churning 360° thrill ride Overdrive. Grand Prix Racers is the perfect rollercoaster for young thrill seekers. Buckle up for twists and turns that are sure to get the entire families pulses racing. Overdrive is the first ride of its kind at Gulliver’s World. Will you brave their most daring attraction that will turn your world upside down? Plus, there’s photo opportunities on a podium with Gully and Gilly Mouse, a play area for toddlers, car-inspired music and so much more! W: www.gulliversworldresort.co.uk

Discover the stories of the original influencers, the Olympian gods, and a world where they were a part of everyday life. Enter their mythical world and explore the lives, loves and legacies of the Ancient Greek and Roman gods, in the epic exhibition Return of the Gods at World Museum, Liverpool. Myths come to life as you learn how Apollo, god of music, slayed a snake to build his temple and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, turned a shepherd into a stag so she could bathe in peace. Discover which mythical symbols can still be seen in our everyday lives too. Members and under 17 years olds go free. Book online. W: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/returnofthegods

Head to RHS Bridgewater this May half term, 27th May-4th June, for a week of fun family activities all about the joys of planting and harvesting vegetables. From seeds and soil, and field and vine, then onto our plates - learn where fruit and veg come from and grow your very own edible feast. Visit the Kitchen Garden to spot food growing in its natural environment and take home your own packet of seeds. Join the Vegetable Nannies for their walkabout theatre, and get stuck in with The Mini Makery, whose workshops are all about encouraging children to feed their ‘gut pet’ rainbows! Full event details online. W: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/bridgewater

Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of the Flower Fairies from Cicely Mary Barker’s well-loved, nature-inspired storybooks, at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. The new exhibition features more than 40 original illustrations and celebrates 100 years of the Fairies. Go and experience the magic, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm and Mondays during local, school holidays until 5th November. Book online. Tickets are free with a suggested donation of £3 to £5. W: liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/flowerfairies

Oxygen Indoor Activity Parks are transforming traditional half term activities – into a day out that everyone in the family loves! From frenetic freejumping to peaceful play at their own pace, Oxygen Indoor Activity Parks gives you the perfect balance of fun and fitness. Designed to delight the whole family From Parkour style zones, inflatable obstacle courses, dodgeball, ninja warrior courses, climbing walls and giant airbags – and of course, classic trampolines – there’s endless stimulation for older kids. And for the younger ones, the parks offer dedicated soft play, sensory and toddler-only zones that give them freedom and adventure whilst in complete safety. With cafés and adult lounges for parents taking some time out, Oxygen Parks are reinventing the traditional half term play day – giving everyone in the family exactly what they need. Book now for your half term adventure at Oxygen Wilmslow – and prepare for launch! W: www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk rhs.org.uk/bridgewater

Sat 27 May – Sun 4 Jun

Our gardens are bursting with lifethere’s no better time to learn how to grow your own. Discover how fun and easy it is to plant and harvest vegetables and learn more about where our food comes from, as a family.

Your visit supports our work as a charity.

Get out into nature for a full day of play at your local National Trust places this May half term. Lyme, Quarry Bank and Dunham Massey have created a collection of events that encourage imagination, fun and connection together in the great outdoors. There are mini beasts and building at Dunham Massey, a collection of crafts and stories in the Mill and gardens at Quarry Bank, and the opportunity to learn about nature and historic characters at Lyme. To find out more about half term happenings, visit the National Trust website and search for these North West places. W: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

With dates across the North West, you won’t have to travel far to enjoy this incredible new show from Gandeys Circus. With more than 30 International artistes, new special effects, new productions, springboard, aerial acts, clowns, high-wire, acrobatics, Motorbikes in the Thunderdome and even a supersonic rocket, GLITTERATI simply has it all! It is a nonstop, choreographed, theatrical production to leave audiences thrilled and amazed. Tickets from only £9.99 at every show and kids go free at certain shows! (Ts & Cs apply). Head over to their website to see these, and all the other money saving offers, and make it an unmissable date in your 2023 calendar! W: www.gandeyscircus.com

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

Stuck for things to do? Take your family to meet some gorgeous rescue ponies at Spirit of the Herd pony sanctuary in Helsby! Their pamper sessions are perfect for children who want to learn and spend time around their relaxed and cuddly ponies. Facilitated by their session leaders, these affordable sessions are perfectly suited to children and adults of any age – your little ones will have fun and grow in confidence and compassion in safe surroundings. A rewarding, handson activity for all the family! They also offer birthday parties and equine-led wellness sessions. Find out more or book a session now. E: info@spiritoftheherd.co.uk W: www.spiritoftheherd.co.uk

LOSE

At this UNESCO World Heritage Site (Planet Earth division), be amazed at the Lovell telescope, explore the new First Light Pavilion, and unravel the wonders of the universe. After you’ve stared into space, looked up at the stars, and got to grips with rocket science, treat your astronauts to lunch in their café. A visit to Jodrell Bank is out of this world, and if you book online in advance, you’ll be able to visit again, free of charge, for the rest of the year. Boom! Jodrell Bank is proud to be Part of the University of Manchester. Find out more online. W: www.jodrellbank.net