There’s plenty of exciting heritage-based events taking place in February 2024. So, if you’re looking for a fun weekend activity or something for the family during the school Half-Term holidays, take a look at the events below!
Saturday 10th – Sunday 25th February: Kids (aged 15 and under) go free to Newstead Abbey’s Historic House this February Half-Term. Check out the details here.
Saturday 17th February: Lakeside Arts will be hosting a free painting session where activities will be based on the designs and decoration of pottery found in Nottingham’s caves. Check out the details here.
Saturday 24th February: Enjoy a special story session about Stone Age hunters, mammoths, and the caves at Creswell Crags. For children aged 5-11. Book your place here.
Wednesday 21st February: Join Project Officer, Denis Hill, at the Worksop library to learn about the Midlands Railway line between Mansfield and Worksop and the effects this line had on the economy and local community (Check out the related Mansfield Worksop Railway Viaduct HER record). Book your place to learn about its history here.
An Extra Heritage Highlight: Between January and November, discover the hidden rooms of Wollaton Hall, such as the Tudor Kitchens and the Cave. Kids (under 16 years old) go free. Check out the tour details here.
Above: Newstead Abbey
Some of our wonderful Nottinghamshire museums are hosting a range of free February Half-Term activities:
Mansfield Museum has many free events coming up. Learn about how the Mansfield Museum Collections Officer collects, curates and cares for their taxidermy collection on Friday 16th or come and meet a series of birds of prey alongside an experienced falconer on Thursday 15th (book here). Check out the full extent of Mansfield Museum's events here.
Bassetlaw Museum is taking part in the Nottingham Festival of Science and Curiosity this February Half-Term. Code with special robots, learn where your waste goes, or have a go at tie-dye. For the full list of events, visit the Bassetlaw Museum website.
The National Civil War Centre (Newark Museum) is also hosting a few creative events between Tuesday 13th - Friday 16th. Join artist Vanessa Stone for some paper boat fun based on her creative work or take part in music and movie soundSYNC workshops, using a range of instruments and technologies, each day (book here). For more information, visit the event post here.
This coming week will be very exciting for heritage lovers in Nottinghamshire with the return of Heritage Open Days’ annual community festival!
The festival, which has been running for over 25 years in the UK, provides individuals with the chance to get involved in heritage through exclusive local events. This festival contributes to the European Heritage Days in which 50 signatory states celebrate diversity, culture, and heritage every September.
Heritage Open Days aims to celebrate heritage and community by organising talks, workshops, and tours of historical sites. All the events in this festival are free. This includes rare visits to selected sites that normally ask for an entry fee. For example, usually closed on Sundays, the DH Lawrence Birthplace Museum will be opening its doors to the public, for free, on Sunday 10th September. Other sites included in this festival are Newstead Abbey, Bromley House Library, and The Workhouse and Infirmary. Visit the Heritage Open Days website for the full list.
Running from Friday 8th September until Sunday 17th September, there are over 70 exciting events happening in the Nottinghamshire area.
A member of our Historic Buildings team, Jason, will be running behind the scenes tours of the Walks of Life Museum in Newark. Come and say hello to him on Friday 15th September! Visit the event page for information here: Walks of Life Museum - Carts Inspire Creativity
Here are some of the other events we’re excited about:
- Focusing on ten amazing artefacts, join the Manuscripts and Special Collections team at the University of Nottingham for a talk on how their amazing items reflect the significant people, places, and events in Nottingham’s history. There will be 2 identical talks on Friday 15th September (booking required). See the event and booking information here: University of Nottingham - Archives Unwrapped Talk: Nottinghamshire's History in Ten Treasures
- In partnership with Polish Village, Newark Castle has organised a fun day of activities for the family on the castle grounds. Enjoy exploring the castle towers, making Polish eco-friendly crafts, face-painting, and listening to fantastic tales by a storyteller. This Creativity Unwrapped event is due to take place on Saturday 9th September (no booking required). See the event information here: Newark Castle - Creativity Unwrapped
- Take a behind the scenes tour of the Nottinghamshire Archives’ storage areas and conservation studio. Learn about the archives and how to maintain them like an expert on Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th September (booking required). See the event and booking information here: Inspire - Nottinghamshire Archive Behind the Scenes Tours
- Exploring the rich history and heritage secrets of Nottingham, two guided tours have been organised by local experts of Mansfield and Beeston town centres. A member of the Mansfield Townscape Project will be leading a guided tour Mansfield town centre on Wednesday 13th September (no booking required) and on Sunday 10th September, Professor John Beckett will be performing a tour around central Beeston (booking preferred). See event information for the Mansfield town tour here: Mansfield Town Centre Heritage Walk. See event and booking information for the Beeston tour here: Walk with an Expert: Heritage Beeston
- Come and enjoy author Sally Mitchell’s exciting presentation on the dangers women faced when riding side saddle and some of the famous ladies who experienced them. Sally will also be showing many interesting costumes and items alongside a tour of the collection at the Museum of the Horse in Tuxford on Thursday 14th September (booking required). See the event and booking information here: Museum of the Horse - The Dangers of Side Saddle!
To find out about all the events being offered in Nottinghamshire, including dates and booking information, please visit: Heritage Open Days
Please be aware that free entry to some sites is only on specific set days and some events may require booking.