Have an amazing Autumn half-term in Nottingham

Gareth Morgan All, Opp Notts

Nottingham Caves Festival – 17 – 23 October in Old Market Square
A Caves Festival hub marquee will be in Old Market Square from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 October, hosting free events and activities – open daily 10.30am – 6pm.

Visitors will be able to discover the history of Nottingham’s awe inspiring caves with free activities including:

• Discover the fun side of archaeology with Trent and Peak archaeology. Grab a trowel and get digging – who knows what you might find?
• Book onto an amazing virtual reality exploration (using a real virtual reality headset!) of two caves, using innovative technology developed by Nottingham based Hot Knife. Visitors can wander around the caves, learn about their history and even go into passageways that aren’t accessible in real life
• Enjoy a talk with Nottingham’s official archaeologist, Scott Lomax, and learn about recent archaeological discoveries in the city
• Go on a guided walking tour of the city using the Nottingham Caves app, and learn how to see the caves beneath your feet
• Experience ‘artificial caving’ in a cave designed and built by Hangfast – no need to go underground! See what it’s like to explore and navigate a tight space in limestone tunnels similar to those found in the Yorkshire Dales (available Mon-Fri only)

Half-Term fun at the Galleries of Justice and the City of Caves
This thrilling family friendly Halloween tour offers a fascinating look at the true-life witch trials that took place in the past. Visit our courtroom to learn about the hysteria that led to the accusations being made and discover the evidence which led to the trials. See what’s on at GoJ. Or explore a hidden world beneath your feet and journey through a maze of original sandstone caves on our actor-led family tours and discover the fascinating history beneath the streets of Nottingham. See what’s on in the Caves.

Half-Term at the National Ice Centre
Get your skates on this October Half-Term with skating at the National Ice Centre and Skate with a Princess Party on Monday 24 October!

Plus, What’s On the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall!
Have a does of George’s Marvellous Medicine at Theatre Royal & Concert Hall – 19 – 22 October

What’s On at our historic sites? Wollaton Hall, Green’s Windmill and Newstead Abbey
Visit Wollaton Park and their Museum Explorer Activity Trail – 17 – 28 October. Go on a journey of discovery with a FREE trail of the Hall and Park. Collect yours from reception in the Great Hall. Drop by at Green’s Windmill for Cupcake Baking – Saturday 22 October 11am – 2pm – and bake some delicious cupcakes with our own flour. £3 per child. Or, try Children’s Twilight Adventure Walk – 15, 22 and 29 October 4 – 6pm at Newstead Abbey! Explore Newstead in the twlight, following the paths through the gardens and woods. Wrap up warm and bring a torch! Includes refreshments in the cafe for children. £8 child, £4 adult. Book on 01623 455916.

There are also loads of FREE ParkLives activities happening across Nottingham

There’s Half-Term Mardi Gras Fun from 17 – 28 Oct in across our libraries
Join us for Mardi Gras fun in our libraries – come dressed in your most colourful carnival outfits, ready for games and crafty fun. Get in the carnival mood at: Sherwood Library – Wednesday 19 October 11am-12pm, Southglade Park Library – Friday 21 October 2pm-3pm, Basford Library – Tuesday 25 October 2pm – 3pm, Clifton Library – Wednesday 26 October 11am-12pm, Meadows Library – Wednesday 26 October 2pm-4pm, Bulwell Library – Thursday 27 October 2pm-3pm, or Radford/ Lenton Library- Friday 28 October 2pm-3pm!

Click here for more on all the activities on offer in Libraries

What’s on in Children’s Centres in your area?

Aspley, Broxtowe and Bilborough
Stay, Play and Learn – Autumn – Have fun at the Phoenix Adventure Playground, Monday 17 October, 10.30am-12.30pm
Stay, Play and Learn – Music – Come and make some noise at Aspley Children’s Centre, Friday 21 October, 10.30am-12.30pm

Sherwood and Edwards Lane
Stay, Play and Learn – Fitness – fun and physical activity for all the family, Edwards Lane Community Centre, Tuesday 18 October, 11.30am-12.30pm
Celebrating Difference and Cultural Awareness –take part in the parade for five to 13-year-olds, try on costumes, play instruments and sing cultural songs, Forest Fields Play Centre, Friday 21 October, 3.30pm-5.30pm

Clifton
Autumn walk with Nutrition Team – walking to Flower Park and back for lunch from Clifton Young People’s Centre, Wednesday 19 October, 11am-2pm (meet at 10.45am) booking essential, call 0115 876 2625

The Meadows
Messy Play – come and have fun making mess, Meadows Children’s Centre, Kirkby Gardens, Tuesday 18 October, 10.30am-12 noon, call 0115 876 1320

Bulwell and Bulwell Forest
Play, Stay and Learn – Messy Play – come along and have fun getting messy around the theme of autumn, Bulwell Children’s Centre, Steadfold Close, Monday 17 October, 1.30pm-3pm, call 0115 876 2220

Dunkirk, Wollaton, Lenton and Lenton Abbey
Craft session – try your hand at a number of creative activities, Wollaton Children’s Centre, Arleston Drive, Wednesday 19 October, 10.30am-12 noon, call 0115 876 1320

Sneinton
Messy Play – get involved and get messy at Sneinton Children’s Centre, Thursday 20 October, 1.30pm-3pm, call 0115 876 1700

Hyson Green, Radford
Stay, Play and Learn – Goose Fair theme –drop in and play at Hyson Green Children’s Centre, Gregory Boulevard, Monday 17 and 24 October, 1pm-2.30pm, call 0115 883 8202

St Ann’s South
Stay, Play and Learn – Babies – bring along your tots for a play session to St Ann’s Valley Centre, Monday 18 October, 10am-11am, call 0115 876 1700

Anyone who cares for or is expecting a child can register to use the centres. For more information head to www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/childrenscentres

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