27 things to do in the summer holidays in Herefordshire

We’ve rounded up a selection of dates for the diary, from outdoor theatre and cinema to art workshops and bat watching...

Summer hols at Eastnor Castle
Dinosaur Show, July 28 to August 1
Travel back in time with a life-like walking, roaring T Rex.
10.30am to 5.30pm
Circus skills, August 4 to 8
Clown around, learn to stilt walk, juggle and more.
August 11 at 3pm, Gangsta Granny
Meet Ben, and 11-year-old wannabe plumber fed up with spending his nights at Granny’s. All she wants to do is play Scrabble and eat cabbage. But then he finds the old biscuit tin that reveals Granny’s massive secret.
September 1, Family fun day
Garden games and zip wire across the Valley Lawn
www.eastnorcastle.com

August 3
Wye Float
A day of live music accompanies the now-annual inflatables float along a two-mile stretch of the River Wye. Register at www.wyefloat.com/tickets. No under 12s allowed on the river.

August 4
Herefordshire Country Fair, The Whitfield Estate
Now in its 41st year the fair promises a great family day out- this year there will be the usual country fair favourites: terrier racing, working gun dogs, inter hunt relay, scurry racing, clay shooting, fly fishing and a parade of foxhounds. With over100 trade stands in the shopping and craft marquee and the fabulous food hall.
herefordshirecountryfair.co.uk

August 25 and 26
Six Horse Cavalry of Heroes - Hampton Court Castle
Professional horse stunt display team.
hamptoncourtcastle.co.uk

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August 27 and 28
Art at the Yard
A virtual trip to Hawaii, the Great Barrier Reef or even the Amazon rainforest awaits where children will follow a guided art session exploring different techniques and materials. The workshop is run by an experienced children’s art teacher. Ages 6+.
courtyard.org.uk/01432 340555

August 19 to 23
Horrible Histories themed holiday workshop
Have lots of fun exploring some of the most gruesome time periods. From the Savage Stone age to Terrifying Tudors, not forgetting the Vicious Vikings or Rotten Romans! A week full of ghastly games, lots of awesome acting and some sensational singing! Age 7 – 12.
courtyard.org.uk/01432 340555

August 27 to August 30
Film making workshop
Enter the world of film! Get to grips with the basics such as; script writing, story boarding, cinematography, directing, sound and lighting! There will be a special screening of the films created during the week in The Courtyard’s Studio Theatre. Led by experienced film practitioner, Kie Cummings. Ages 13+.
courtyard.org.uk/01432 340555

August 16, 8pm
Outdoor screening of Labyrinth (U) at Queenswood
Journey into the Labyrinth in this classic Jim Henson 80s fantasy movie. David Bowie and Jennifer Connelly and a whole host of unforgettable characters, songs and stunning visuals combine to create a nostalgic trip filled with magic, danger and adventure.
www.queenswoodandbodenhamlake.org

August 16-18
Kentchurch Sunrise Celebration
The Sunrise Festival returns with a continued ethos of sustainability, organic living and a family friendly environment. Frolic in fields, dance with butterflies and learn skills that will forge the way to leading a planet friendly lifestyle. Live music includes Tankus the Henge, Freestylers and The Correspondents.
www.sunrisecelebration.com

August 17, 7.45pm to 9.30pm
Guided walk - The Bats of Bodenham Lake
Led by James Bisset, local ‘batman’ and orchard enthusiast; an introductory talk on bats and orchards before a short circular walk around the edge of Bodenham Lake, then via the River Lugg, Bodenham Church and old Bodenham village listening and looking for signs of those special “Angels of the Night” – bats. Free, loan bat detectors will be provided! Age 12+

August 22
The Selfish Giant at The Gateway Cinema, Ross-on-Wye
Since building a wall to keep the children out of his garden, the only visitors the Selfish Giant gets are Lady Snow and her friends.
One morning he hears the most beautiful music coming from his bedroom window and is delighted with the sight that greets him.
Set in a magnificent steel sculpted garden, the story is told using Sea Legs’ beautifully crafted puppets, a brilliant musical soundtrack and superb storytelling.
www.labelsshopping.co.uk/the-gateway

All summer
Ralph Court Gardens
Take a world tour through the African garden, Monet’s Japanese Bridge, the treetop walkway, Italian garden and have a chat to the amazing talking tree before settling down in the restaurant - inside or out - for an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea.
www.ralphcourtgardens.co.uk

July 28 July, August 10 and 31
Family Bushcraft at Symonds Yat
Learn how to survive and thrive in the wilderness with one of three bushcraft sessions being run by Borderlands this summer. The experience days are a relaxed, but adventurous activity for all the family, learn the basics of shelter building, carving, fire lighting and how to find food in the wild and cook it. Experience days cost £70 per person.
www.borderlandsoutdoor.com 

August 30 to September 1
Ross Cider Festival Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
At Broome Farm, on the outskirts of Ross, between Friday 30 August- 1 September is the Ross Cider Festival, an event that families have been enjoying for 18 years. There will be three days of live music, high quality locally produced food and ten quality visiting cidermakers. This year is even more cause for celebration with the Ross on Wye Cider & Perry Company winning the BBC Food & Farming 2019 Award for ‘Best Drinks Producer’. Weekend tickets with four nights of camping are available for £55. Find out more at www.rosscider.com 
 

ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS 

Newbridge Play Barn and Farm Park 
Egg collecting, tractor rides, pony rides and pig and duck feeding. 
Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays 01531 670780 

Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre, Kington 
Open every day of the year, whatever the weather, whatever the season...We have the most comprehensive collection of owls in Europe, alongside an amazing variety of friendly miniature and rare breed animals, come and join us in 2013, celebrating our 22nd year. Special parking area is provided for the disabled. A shaded parking area is set aside for dog owners. We recommend you phone ahead to clarify how to locate these. All display areas are accessibly by wheelchair. Two mobility scooters are available on free loan, booking ahead is advisable. 
www.owlcentre.com
01544 231109 

West Midland Safari Park
Summer nights
August 1 to September 1, last entry 6pm
Extended opening hours means there’s even more time to discover the four-mile Safari Drive-through and encounter incredible animals! The Adventure Theme Park will have thrilling and family-friendly rides open until 7.30pm. 
www.wmsp.co.uk

ACTION-PACKED

Ten-pin bowling 
Test your hand eye coordination as you try to get all ten down. 
1st Bowl Hereford and Grove Golf and Bowl 
www.grovegolfandbowl.co.uk 

Herefordshire Raceway 
Anyone with a competitive streak and a need for speed will love go-karting at Herefordshire Raceway’s state-of-the-art landscaped track. 
www.herefordshireraceway.org.uk
01544 318334 

Go Ape 
Swing through the treetops at one of the country’s most popular treetop adventure centres. Negotiate your way from tree to tree, hurling yourself at giant cargo nets and whizzing down zip wires as you go. Centres in the Forest of Dean and Wyre Forest. 
Visit www.GoApe.co.uk 

Green Spider, Rotherwas
Climbing and bouldering walls, holiday and casual clubs for experienced and beginners, aged 4+. 
www.spiderclimbing.co.uk

Boulder Barn
The Boulder Barn features bouldering walls with hundreds of routes aimed at all skill levels, and Moonboard, a 40 degree bouldering training wall for climbers looking to optimise their climbing performance. Visit the website for details of holiday sessions
Unit 1A, Holmer Trading Estate,
01432 358 392

Wyedean canoe and adventure centre
Outdoor activities including kayaking, canoeing, climbing, caving, ropes courses and more
www.wyedean.co.uk/activities

Muddy Puddles Adventure Trail and Farm Park
Activities include: zip wires, tunnels, racing tubes, scramble nets, rope bridge, outdoor picnic area, younger years playzone, kiddy diggers, sand pit, pedal tractors, animal feeding: goats, sheep, cattle, undercover seating area, picnic area…and much more! Activity trail not suitable for under-fives.
Broad Farm, Leominster
www.muddy-puddles.co.uk