What to do in Somerset this February half term

February 20, 2022June 22, 20220 Comments

What%20to%20do%20in%20Somerset%20this%20February%20half%20term

The weather hasn’t been making it easy to entertain the kids recently, so if you’ve had your plans cancelled or you’re stuck for what to do in Somerset this February half term, I’ve rounded up a whole host of events taking place in the county. From scavenger hunts, exciting theatre shows, marshmallow toasting, animal fun, crafts and fascinating museums, you should be able to find something to suit your brood!

What to do in Somerset this February half term

Contents

Somerset half term trails

Springtime Scavenger hunt at Bishop’s Palace, Wells (19-27 February)

The gardens at Bishop’s Palace are starting to wake up from their winter hibernation. Take on the Springtime Scavenger hunt (available from the ticket office) and spot the first signs of spring on the moat banks, Willow Bridge and arboretum to earn yourself a prize!

The gardens are carpeted with snowdrops at this time of year, so it’s a great time to visit! Be wowed by the carpets of snowdrops, collect the Snowdrop Walk guide and head off to seek out different varieties of the flower. Finish your visit with a browse of the artisan craft stalls and kids’ activities.

A variety of artisan craft stalls and children’s activities will be in the Undercroft including the chance to create a ‘fire breathing dragon’ (22 February) and go on a bee hunt (24 February).

Bishops Palace and Gardens Wells Somerset

February half term trail at Dunster Castle (19-27 February)

What would you pop in your rucksack to take on a winter walk? Explore the castle gardens and discover and choose items you would carry on a winter walk. You’ll need to think wisely and prepare to play some games!

Farmyard trail at Somerset Rural Life Museum (19 – 25 February)

Find out what life was like on the old Abbey Farm near Glastonbury Tor. There’s a new farmyard trail to follow, plus daily activities related to different themes such as gardening and growing (19 Feb), meet the animals (22 Feb), tractors (23 Feb), crafts (24 Feb), sheep (25 Feb) and foodie fun (26 Feb).

Ignite at Tyntesfield (until 27 February)

Flickering fields of flames, torch fire-lit willow sculptures, emblazoned trees, a glittering heart tunnel and toasting marshmallows, Tyntesfield’s new evening light show is a magical way to cheer up a dark February night. Kids are given their own lantern to carry at the beginning of the trail – possibly the ultimate highlight for little ones.

Race through time trail at Haynes Motor Museum (19-27 February)

Ever wondered what a sloth’s top speed is or how fast a rocket must go to fly to the moon? Discover fast facts and speedy stats while experiencing automotive racing history first-hand on the brand new family trail, The Race Through Time!

February half term scavenger hunt, Prior Park, Bath (19-27 February)

Go hunting for certain objects around the beautiful estate and then draw or photograph them. Sheets listing the objects can be collected from Visitor Reception.

What to do in Somerset at half term: get crafty

Get creative at The Museum of Somerset, Taunton (open Tues-Sun)

Bright and bold modernist artist Brian Rice is the inspiration behind the February half term activities at the Museum of Somerset. Get creative, explore animation (20 February), find shapes in archeology and excavate artefacts (24 February), head off on the new colour and shape trail (daily), produce your own geometric design (19 & 23 Feb), make a kaleidoscope (22 & 26 February), take part in simple science experiments (25 February) and have a go at printmaking (27 February).

All activities £2 per child /Trail £1 per child. Payable on arrival at the Museum.

Craft under Concorde at Fleet Air Arm Museum (21-25 February)

Build and decorate your very own bi-plane underneath a real-life Concorde! You can also learn more about how our aircraft were made, and what has changed over the past decade. Explore the vast engine collection, get up close to aircraft and check in on the Barracuda rebuild project.

Make your own terrarium, Yeovil Country Park (23 February)

Collect materials on a stroll around Yeovil Country Park to build your very own terrarium! Limited to 5 places.

Perfect Pottery and marshmallows, Ham Hill Country Park (9.30am-1pm, 19-25 February)

Visit Ham Hill this February half term for free woodland craft mornings. Head to the Woodland Play Zone (at the bottom of the steps in front of the pub) to sculpt your own pottery and fire on a bonfire kiln, and toast a marshmallow or two while your clay cooks. No need to book.

Myths and Monsters, Victoria Art Gallery Bath (until 27 February)

This family-friendly exhibition links the worlds of literature, art and myth and is a fun continuation of the 2017 Here Be Dragons extravaganza, which broke attendance records for Victoria Art Gallery. Star contributors include Axel Scheffler (The Gruffalo and other Julia Donaldson books) and Cressida Cowell (How to Train Your Dragon).

Alongside the exhibition, there will be a chance for young visitors to make their own ‘monster in a jar’, which will be displayed as part of the show.

Heart craft at Brick and Tile Museum, Bridgwater (22 February)

At the heart of the The Brick and Tile Museum is the only traditional brick kiln to survive in Somerset, and one of few remaining in England. The museum will be offering kids the chance to make a heart-shaped decoration out of clay (ideal Mother’s Day present alert!

Wild bird fruit hoop or string for garden birds, Glastonbury Abbey (22 February), Wild bird feeder (24 February)

Two messy family sessions to create fun things for garden birds will be taking place in the marquee in Glastonbury Abbey grounds over half term from 11am-1pm. Combine apples, fruit pieces, windfall sticks, sunflower seeds and hemp string to make your bird-friendly creation! The sessions cost £2.50 per child, normal admission applies.

What to do in Somerset this half term: get outdoors

Forest school activities at Hestercombe (19-27 February)

Become little green explorers with pop-up Forest School activities at Hestercombe Gardens. Create your very own Nature Crown (daily), make your own stick family (22 February) or have a go at painting with natural brushes and pigments (24 February)!

National Trust Fyne Court Charcoal making and family trail (19-27 February)

Sit around the fire and learn how to create charcoal to draw with. As the charcoal cooks on the fire, explore the parkland of Fyne Court, discovering how local animals survive during winter and how life is changing for them with our changing climate. Then finish at the music room, using your charcoal to draw magnificent pictures and frame them in a natural stick frame.

This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

East Lambrook Festival of snowdrops (until 27 February)

This little garden contains a whopping 150 varieties of snowdrop – marvel at drifts of snowdrops blanketing the famed ‘ditch’, see the lawn glow purple with crocus, seek out the metal snowdrop sculptures by a local artist, gaze at snowdrop art, buy snowdrops and warm up with tea and cake at the cafe.

Forde Abbey Snowdrop weekends (19-20, 26-27 February)

Forde Abbey gardens will be open every weekend in February for Snowdrop spotting. Picture swathes of snowdrops on the drive, banks and lawns and scattered in the beds and borders – beautiful.

There is a reduced entry fee of £7.50 for all adults and £3.00 for children (5-15yrs).

Self-led bird trail at Yeovil Country Park (22-28 February)

February is the month of love, and not just for humans! Many birds display courtship behaviour at this time of year, making it an exciting time to brush up on your bird identification skills. Yeovil County Park is running a self-led bird trail, which follows a short circular walk starting and finishing at Ninesprings Cafe.

Match the pictures of the birds hiding in the trees with the descriptions of birds on your activity sheet (cost £1). There’s no need to book, just bring correct change and a pen or pencil to fill in your answers.

Ninesprings Yeovil Country Park South Somerset

Geocaching at Chard Reservoir (22 February)

Kids can connect with nature while playing detective at Chard Reservoir’s Geocache event. Seek out little treasures using the Geocache app and take part in some ranger-based activities focusing on winter wildlife. Suggested donation of £1 can be paid on the day.

February half term ROAM rangers (18, 19, 21 February)

Leave your children to run wild in the woods! As well as rope swings, a slack-line, mud kitchen, log-stacle course and a bug hotel, there’s also den building, cooking, crafting, art and exploring to be done. Aimed at kids aged 6 -11, £25 per child for the session.

Half term animal fun

Love your pets at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm (19-27 February)

Meet adorable new farm animals and celebrate some of Britain’s favourite pets this February half term at Noah’s Ark. Hear interactive pet talks, get up close to small animals, visit the elephants, tigers, lion cubs, and other big zoo animals, before sending the youngsters to let off steam in the giant indoor soft play area.

Bluey and Bingo at Avon Valley Adventure & Wildlife Park (19-27 February)

Anyone else got some tiny Bluey fans in their household? Blow your kiddo’s mind with a trip to Avon Valley to meet the cute pups at intervals throughout the day, led by a storytelling narrator.

It’s also Lambing Live time of year – be sure to drop by the ewe’s maternity unit for a chance to glimpse some newborn lambies.

February half term at Puxton Park (19-27 February)

There’s lots going on at Puxton this half term – get involved with bottle feeding the Lambs (21-27 February), arts and crafts (daily), magic (21 February), discos (23 & 25 February), animal antics (24 & 26 February) and Face-painting in the Cosy Cottage (19, 20, 23, 26 & 27 Feb).

Half term fun and thrills

Free Circus Workshop, Grand Pier, Weston super Mare (20 February)

Learn how to spin plates and juggle clubs, bean bags, balls, rings, devil sticks… you can try it all! Located in the Tiffany’s Restaurant, this event is totally free.

Fireworks at Sea, Grand Pier Weston-super-Mare (26 February)

A spectacular fireworks display, with the best views from the pier, tickets include unlimited rides. Fireworks start at 8.30pm (weather permitting) and the event finishes at 9.30pm.

Wacky Wednesday and open cockpit day at Helicopter Museum, Weston-super-Mare (23 February)

Childrens’ Entertainer Damian Patton will be enthralling little ones with his zany one man show featuring puppets, jokes, magic and general mayhem. Shows at 11am and 1pm.

Prince and Princesses kids party, Chicago Rock Cafe, Yeovil (2-5pm, 23 February)

Dress up as your favourite prince or princess and party the afternoon away. Entry £6 per child includes a kid’s meal.

February Half Term at Wookey Hole

See the beautifully lit famous caves, watch a 4D film ‘Return to the Lost World’, walk among the animatronic dinosaurs, see the amazing performers in live circus shows, burn energy in the soft play, meet the Witch of Wookey and have a go on the old Victorian-style arcade.

What’s on in Somerset February half term theatre

The Amazing Bubble Man, Octagon Theatre Yeovil (19 February) and Brewhouse Theatre Taunton (22 February)

Edinburgh Fringe favourite, Louis Pearl has been thrilling audiences around the world for over 30 years with the art, science and fun of bubbles. And he’s in Somerset this February half term to work his magic with more of the same.

Morgan and West Unbelievable Science, (23 February)

Expect explosive thrills, chemical spills and a risk assessment that gives their stage manager chills, all backed up by the daring duo’s trademark wit, charm and detailed knowledge of the scientific method.

The Story Explorers + workshop Brewhouse Theatre Taunton (24 February)

Roll Up! Roll Up! Meet Nellie Natinski and Nathaniel Nautilus, intrepid adventurers, and guardians of the intriguingly ingenious and much-loved StoryGenerator.

I spy with my little eye, Merlin Theatre Frome (27 February)

Based on the brand new picture book by Steven Lee (How the Koala Learnt To Hug) and brought to you by the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly, this beautifully interactive musical celebrates everything great about being a kid – and everything great about having one.