What’s on this half term in Derbyshire

It is time for the first school break of 2014 – and keeping the kids entertained all week can be anything but a holiday.

To give you a break from planning your half-term activities, we have done a round-up of the best events that won’t break the bank.

Wild West Week at

Chatsworth farmyard and adventure

playground – All week

Blast the cowboy targets from the trailer ride, dare to handle the spiders and snakes and take a shot in Tin Can Alley in this action filled week. Wild West themed craft activities will take place every day in the large indoor barn, along with daily small animal handling sessions and talks under the canopy, demonstrations from a wool spinner and an indoor picnic room. The farmyard is open from Febrary 15to 23 from 10.30am to 4.30pm every day, with last entry at 3.30pm. Spiders and snakes workshops run from February 15 to 21 and the wool spinner is in residence February 22 and 23. For details of each day’s activities and ticketing options go to www.chatsworth.org Tickets are £6 each, or £22 for a family of four.

Knights and Princesses at Bolsover Castle – All week

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Head back in time for activities on a medieval theme. Transform yourself into a noble lord in squire training and even try on armour in the academy for budding knights and princesses at Bolsover Castle. This is a Time Travellers event for kids. Step into the past and don’t forget to bring your Time Travellers passport to collect your event sticker.

Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/bolsovercastle Tickets are £1 plus standard admission per child.

February Fun at Gulliver’s – All week

For some serious fun this February half term, head to Gulliver’s Spy Zone and brand new NERF Zone.

Two totally indoor attractions action-packed with non-stop thrills. Take the Spy Zone chgallenge as you work through a series of specialist training rooms before taking on a top secret mission of your own. Can you crack the codes, dodge the lasers and navigate the secret passageways?

Visit www.gulliversfun.co.uk - from £7 per child.

Outdoor challenge trail, Ilam Park - Sat 15 to Sun 23

Time to get outdoors, run around and explore Ilam Park.

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A self-guided trail for families with clues and challenges to complete along the way. Can you make a den out of sticks? Or find a leaf as big as your hand? Take the Outdoor Challenge Trail and see how many challenges you can tick off as you walk through Ilam Park.

Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk - £1 per trail sheet.

Messy Play at Ashbourne Methodist Church - Mon 17

It is for all the family to enjoy together and includes fun crafts, great games and a celebration time. The title for this Messy Church is Oh no God! Not me! and all of the activities are on the theme of Jonah – who famously didn’t want to do what God wanted. It promises to be a fun-filled morning of themed activities and take-home crafts for the whole family. This is a free event, with a light lunch provided, although donations are welcomed.

More at www.ashbournemethodist.org.uk/messychurch - from 10am.

Half-term fun at Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Tues 18 - Sun 23

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Enjoy a trip down the beautiful Ecclesbourne valley on one our heritage trains. With miles of smiles it’s a wonderful way to spend a day. Free parking at Wirkworth station and regular connections to main train services at Duffield.

Visit www.e-v-r.com

Family activities at

Avenue Washlands Nature Reserve – Tues 18

Show your love for wildlife this half-term with Valentine’s themed family fun activities. Make hearts, wishes and meet some barn owls.

Advance booking essential. This event has been organised by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and will take place at the Avenue Washlands Learning Centre.

Visit www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk - entry £3 per child and £1 per adult.

Barmy about barn owls at Carsington Water – Web 19

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Come and discover more about one of the most beautiful native birds - the barn owl - and why they need your help. Suitable for families with children aged four and up. Find out how barn owls are superbly adapted to their lifestyle and study an owl pellet to discover what they eat.

Make your own glove owl to take home and get the chance to get up close and personal to a real barn owl. Bring your cameras and one woolly glove per person. Visit www.derbyshirewildlifetrust.org.uk - £4 per person.

The Centenary Players present Aladdin at

Bradwell – Wed 19 to Sat 22

A pantomime at Bradwell Memorial Hall.

Tickets from Bradwell Post Office, Bread Shop and High Peak Cleaning. All seats £3 on opening night - £5 for adults and £4 children after that.

Meet a Tudor storytellor at Chesterfield Museum and Gallery - Thu 20

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Come to Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery to meet a Tudor and listen to his exciting tales.

Visit www.chesterfieldmuseum.co.uk. Free entry.

Bathtime for birds at the Whistlestop Centre,

Matlock Bath – Fri 21

Have a look at the nature of water and make a decorated bird bath for your garden.

There’ll also be the opportunity to use binoculars to watch birds.

Suitable for adults, young people and families. Children under 11 will need help from an adult. There will be a small additional charge for materials.

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Booking essential as numbers are limited. Call 01773 881188. Cost is £3 per child, £1 per adult plus £1 to £2 for materials.

Make a nestbox at

Eastwood Park, Hasland - Fri 21

Have a go at making your own bird nestbox in the park, as part of a national campaign to give our birds a helping hand.

The event startd at 10am and booking is advised to avoid disapointment.

Call 01246 345123 to book. Free

Chesterfield’s 1940s and vintage weekend - Fri 21 to Sunday 23

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Following last year’s record breaking numbers, Chesterfield Borough Council is once again showcasing history and entertainment across three venues.

This includes: Swing Jive Dance Lesson at the Winding Wheel, Friday, February 21, 7pm

Ashby ‘little’ Big Band Dance at the Winding Wheel, Friday, February 21, 8.15pm

1940s and Vintage Fair at the Winding Wheel Saturday, February 22, 10am to 5pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm

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Chesterfield Museum and Art Gallery 1940s Experience, Saturday, February 22, 10am 5o 4pm

To find out more about all the events visit the website at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk/arts-community/1940s-vintage-weekend

There’s fun to be had for children of all ages with half-term activities organised by Chesterfield Borough Council.

There are a variety of activities on offer at leisure centres in the borough during half-term week.

Activities at Queen’s Park Sports Centre include:

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n Premier Sport – dance and multi-sport days for five to 12-year-olds, Monday, February 17 to Friday 21, £17.95 per day.

n Arrows basketball camp, Thursday, February 20 and Friday 21.

n Racket sports at £1 per person – subject to availability

n £1 swimming sessions from Monday February 17 to Thursday 20 between 2pm and 4pm.

nWater rave for 14 years and under in the main pool (must be able to swim 50m) and pool playtime for eight years and under with accompanying adults in the small pool – both cost £3.50.

Activities at the Healthy Living Centre, Staveley include:

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n Premier Sport – dance and multi-sport days for five to 12-year-olds, Monday, February 17 to Friday 21, £17.95 per day.

n Climbing wall (age seven plus), Monday, February 17 to Friday 21, £1 taster sessions from 1.30pm to 2.15pm and climbing club from 2.30pm to 4pm at £4.60 a session

n Junior gym (age eight plus), Monday, February 17 to Friday 21 from 9am to 10am at £1 per session

n Swimming sessions at £1 per session from Monday, February 17 to Thursday 20 from 1.30pm to 4pm.

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Amanda Serjeant, Chesterfield Borough Council’s executive member for leisure, culture and tourism said: “We are committed to giving young people activities they can take part in during the school holidays. We have a fun-packed programme of events at our museum, in our parks and at our leisure centres – so there’s no need to sit around at home feeling bored.”

Visit www.chesterfield.gov.uk/leisure