Families urged to Staycation in Staffordshire for half term

Families enjoying Staffordshire attractions

Families in Staffordshire are being encouraged to get out and explore their local attractions during the February half term holiday.

Whether it’s thrilling theme parks, pirate treasure hunts, visits to fun farms or captivating countryside walks there will be something for all the family this holiday.

• At Drayton Manor Park in Tamworth, Thomas Land reopens for half term week. There’s family rides and live shows from the Fat Controller and Friends at Knapford Station, while selected rides will also be open in the theme park, and there is a 15 acre zoo full of exotic species too.
• It’s the Pirate and Princess Takeover at the Alton Towers Resort. There’s swashbuckling adventures for hotel guests, like treasure hunts, fancy dress parades, and interactive game shows, and visits to the Sharkbait Reef by SEA LIFE, Splash Landings waterpark and more.
• Monkey around with the macaques at Trentham Monkey Forest, which reopens for the 2019 season, or enjoy some more animal antics at the National Forest Adventure Farm in Burton for New Life on the Farm Week. People can also celebrate the arrival of the first lambs of the year at Lower Drayton Farm in Penkridge.
• At the National Memorial Arboretum, younger visitors will love the Landscapes of Life exhibition, with its digital path of leaves, interactive memory booth and immersive displays.
• Or for a more high-octane adventure, take the wheel at Midland Karting in Fradley in Lichfield, where there are special offers on practice sessions throughout half-term week.
• Get an insight into the life of an ancient warrior at the Potteries Museum and Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent, as well as crafty capers like creating an Anglo-Saxon pot or decorating the giant 3D rabbit frame.
• You’ll find amazing live entertainment at the Garrick Theatre in Lichfield, with Milkshake Live, Brainiac Live, and a Frozen sing-a-long lined up for the holidays, while you can lose yourself in the classic tale of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Gatehouse Theatre.
• And there’s free entry all week at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, home to World War One trenches, armoured vehicles and much more.

Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member who oversees tourism at Staffordshire County Council explained that the county’s tourism sector was booming, and Staffordshire is a fantastic place to explore. Mark said:

“We really are a fabulous county with a great range of attractions and locations from amazing theme parks to wonderful countryside. Over 26 million people visited the county last year and the sector is now worth £1.8bn which is testament to how much there is to see and do.

“The half term holidays offer the perfect opportunity to take the family on a real journey of discovery. So make sure you book in some local trips this half term.”

As well as all the exciting attractions, the county’s libraries will also have a range of activities running throughout half term. People can find out more at their local library. 

For more information on things to do during the February half-term, visit the Enjoy Staffordshire website.