Cheshire offers thrifty thrills for families this half-term holiday

Free and good value days out at top attractions

Chester, 7 February 2022: Hamza Yassin, the 2023 winner of Strictly Come Dancing, will be revealing his adventures around the globe as a wildlife cameraman at Chester Zoo on 21 February. He's appearing in the Wild Science half-term event, 18 February-5 March, which will also open five Wonderlabs around the zoo so that children can investigate how conservationists are using new technology to save elephants, capybaras, bears and birds.

Chester Zoo's Wild Science event is just one of the many things for families to see and do in Chester and Cheshire during the school holidays. Here are some entertaining highlights that will also help budgets stretch a little further. 

FREE: Dance Around the World at Crewe Lyceum Theatre
All the world loves to dance, which is why Crewe Lyceum Theatre will be taking kids on a light-footed globetrotting adventure on 18 February. The Dance Around The World Workshop is inspired by the theatre's family friendly circus-style adaptation of Jules Verne's famous tale Around the World in 80 Days, 23-26 February.

FREE: Go behind the scenes at Anderton Boat Lift
The Canal & River Trust is offering the chance to go behind the scenes at the Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire’s Victorian engineering marvel. The free open day on 18 February will include expert talks and fun things to do such as angling taster sessions, canoeing, and children’s engineering workshops. Boat trips will also be available.

FREE: Create a lantern and join the parade in Macclesfield
Everyone can help push back the darkness in Macclesfield on 18 February by creating a silk lantern at the Silk Museum and joining the town's very first Lantern Parade through the streets to the Light Up The Night Installation.

MONEY OFF: Be an early bird at Gulliver's World Warrington
Gulliver's World Warrington is offering an Early Season Special, 11 February-12 March, including dates during the half-term school holidays. There are more than 25 rides, from merry-go-rounds to rollercoasters, plus other attractions and play areas. Price £15 per person when booked at least two days in advance.

MONEY OFF: Get two-for-one at BeWILDerwood
BeWILDerwood is launching its first buy one get one free deal this half-term, 18-26 February. The woodland adventure based on the enchanting stories by Tom Blofeld, entertains little ones, mind and body, with treehouses to explore, zipwires, giant swings and slippery slides to play on, and Twiggles and Boggles to meet. From £19.50 child, £21.50 adult.

GOOD VALUE: Blast off at Jodrell Bank
Budding astronauts can journey into an animated outer space at Cap Com Go - The Apollo Story at Jodrell Bank, 18-26 February, and ask all the questions they've ever wanted answered by a space boffin at Meet The Expert. Plus there's more to explore in the new First Light Pavilion. Price £8 child, £12 adult, family £28 - and all tickets last for 12 months. Cap Com Go costs an extra £4/£6.

GOOD VALUE: Curtsey to a Scarecrow at Tatton Park
Tatton Park's annual Scarecrow Festival, 11-26 February, gets the right royal treatment this coronation year, themed on 'Kings and Queens'. The straw-headed aristocrats can be found in the farm and the garden, which is also the location of the Winter Wildlife Walk, until 19 March, an interactive trail with nature rubbings and the chance to peep in animal habitats. There's also pancake-making and a flipping contest down on the farm on Pancake Weekend, 18-19 February. Totally Tatton Tickets cost from £7.20 4-15 years, £12.60 16 years and over, family £22.50 – and they last for 12 months.

AFFORDABLE: Train to be a spy or strike a pose at Storyhouse
Agent Jacob and team are recruiting 6-11 year olds to the Secret Spies Training Academy at Storyhouse on 21 and 23 February. Meanwhile, there's an absolutely fabulous chance to judge which of four professional dancers is the best, a fashion and lip sync competition, and tutoring in how to sashay down the catwalk like a top model.

AFFORDABLE: Get in a lather at Port Sunlight
Young scientists can scrub up on how to create their own bar of soap at Port Sunlight's Soapy Science Days, 22-23 February, and then dip into more bubbly fun at the SoapWorks museum. Child £5, accompanying adults free.

AFFORDABLE: On the march at Deva Roman Discovery Centre
School's out but not for Romans in Chester. At the recently opened Deva Roman Discovery Centre, 18 February marks the start of term for Saturday Soldier School. Children parade through the city streets, visit historic sites such as the Roman Amphitheatre, and learn how to make battle formations for a kids-versus-adult stand-off. Price £3.

AFFORDABLE: Hedgehog Hunt at Capesthorne Hall
Ten hedgehogs will be hiding in the undergrowth at Capesthorne Hall for Nature Quest, 18-26 February, waiting for youngsters to seek them out and discover special tasks to complete and a competition to take part in. Plus there's the chance to roll up sleeves for some craft-making. From £4.50 child, £8.50 adult, £23 family, craft sessions from £1.50.

For more suggestions go to www.visitcheshire.com.