May Half Term Activities 27 May to 4 June

Get buzzy this May half term as we learn all about bees and why we need them.

With hands on activities, you can explore our 40 acre site and follow our Busy Bees Trail around our historic gardens. Whether you are 5 or 95 there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Our Busy Bees Trail will be running every day during the half-term, where you can follow the trail around the Museum and discover some surprising facts about bees. Did you know bees talk to each other by dancing? You can also  take part in our drawing competition for a chance to win a Bee Hotel! (Details of competition provided with the Busy Bee Trail).

We will also be hosting our Knucker the Dragon’s Nature School from Tuesday 30 May to Thursday 1 June. Join us to learn all about bees.

Learn what to plant to create a bee-friendly garden and how to tell a carpenter bee from a masonry bee at our Investigation Station. Take part in our pollination challenge and bee games at the Games Station. You can also create some bee-inspired crafts at our Creation Station and make a wild flower seed ball to take home. And while you are at it, why not pick up one of our take-away activity sheets for further fun at home.

Across the week the Museum will be a hive of activity with other bee-inspired demonstrations and activities too including:

• Have a go at rolling a beeswax candle activity (£1 additional charge applies)
• Honeycomb patchwork – find out about traditional hexagonal patchwork and see how to do it to create your own pieces inspired by the hives at home.
• Have a go at making a pottery Bee tile – Wednesday 31 May & Thursday 1 June.
• Red Fox Archery – Have a go at archery 27 – 29 May & 2 – 4 June.
• Out and about across the site there will also be a chance to find out about the different uses for bee products in the past – from cooking and drinking to cleaning, medicine and more.
• And finally, back by popular demand, we’ll be laying down the tracks in the Building Craft Galley and firing up our toy train sets from Monday 29 May to Friday 2 June.

Information for Visitors

The Museum’s 40 acres site, historic gardens and buildings are fascinating places to learn about rural history. Visitors can purchase grain from the Shepherds Hut (coffee cart) and feed the hungry ducks on the mill pond. Whilst enjoying the great outdoors and fresh air, look out for the heavy horses and other traditional breed farm animals including pigs, chickens and geese. There are a number of lovely woodland trails, including a woodland play area for children to explore.

Why not enjoy breakfast, brunch or lunch at our waterside café?  Visitors can also bring a picnic as there are plenty of picnic areas available on site.  Takeaway refreshments will also be available from our Shepherd’s Hut (coffee cart) located near the Stables. Dogs on leads are welcome and there is ample free parking. Please note that the Museum is a no-smoking site. Visitors with access needs are advised to read our accessibility page in advance of their visit.

All activities are subject to change.