If you're looking for inspiration to keep the boredom at bay through the summer holidays, look no further. From action-packed days to hands-on science, animal magic and living museums, there's plenty of fun to be had locally.

 

ANIMAL ATTRACTIONS

International Birds of Prey Centre, Newent

Flying times: 11.30am, 2pm and 4.15pm

The International Centre for Birds of Prey is the oldest dedicated birds of prey centre in the world where up to 40 birds can be flown daily during the summer when the new birds are joining the team. Most of the demonstrations are outdoors in the flying grounds, but in poor weather teams of birds that will happily manage inside are flown indoors, so whatever the weather you will see birds fly on your visit. As well as 250 birds of prey and three daily flying demonstrations we have a great kids play area and maze in the flying field, 11 acres of space for them to enjoy, the newly refurbished education room with interactive displays and an adventure course in the wood. When you get there look out for the Activity Board, to see what is going on, or if you can’t find it, ask in the shop.

Newbridge Play Barn and Farm Park

Egg collecting, tractor rides, pony rides and pig and duck feeding, Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays). Call 01531 670780.

Small Breeds Farm Park and Owl Centre

Open every day of the year, whatever the weather, whatever the season. The most comprehensive collection of owls in Europe, alongside an amazing variety of friendly miniature and rare breed animals, celebrating its 22nd year. Special parking area is provided for the disabled. A shaded parking area is set aside for dog owners. All display areas are accessible by wheelchair. Two mobility scooters are available on free loan, though booking ahead is advisable. Visit owlcentre.com or call 01544 231109.

Golden Valley Llamas

Half-day llama trekking experiences. Learn all about these charming and gentle animals and help feed them, before haltering and grooming a llama. He will then escort you on a trek through south Herefordshire’s most beautiful countryside. The llama trek experience lasts three hours. In April the first baby llama (cria) of the year was born to first-time mother Hetty Pegler. Visitors will be able to meet the whole herd including the babies. Visit oldkingstreet farm.co.uk or call 01981 240208.

Wye Valley Butterfly Zoo

A tropical paradise teeming with exotic butterflies all fluttering around your head and alighting on your hand if you’re patient. Visit butterflyzoo.co.uk or call 01600 890360.

Shortwood Farm Park

Set in 150 acres of glorious Herefordshire countryside, Shortwood Farm is a rural idyll, attracting visitors from all over the country. With its wide array of activities, countless educational benefits, and a truly personal approach, Shortwood really does cater for everybody. The farm has enjoyed organic status since 2000 and the herd of friesians produces milk for the Organic Milk Co Op and for Yeo Valley yogurt. But there's a lot more than just cows at Shortwood – meet donkeys, ponies, pigs, ducks, geese, hens, bantams, sheep, goats, guinea pigs, lambs and a turkey called Colin.

Dick Whittington Farm Park

Enjoy nature trails, tractor rids, giant sandpit, fun with friendly animals, aquarium room, pheasant pen, chick shack, Shetland ponies, deer and all the farm animals. Outdoor play area. Between Ross and Gloucester. Visit dickwhittington.org or call 01452 831000.

Slimbridge Wetland Centre

Home to the largest collection of swans, ducks, flamingo and geese anywhere in the world, many of them rare or endangered species. Visit wwt.org.uk for details of events throughout the summer holidays.

Bristol Zoo

Enjoy an amazing world of animals, and, until September 8, dinosaurs. With more 400 species and nine animals houses under cover, it’s one of the best days whatever the weather. Visit bristolzoo.org.uk.

West Midland Safari Park

Giraffes and zebras, lions and lemurs and loads more – with 26 rides and attractions adding to the fun. Visit wmsp.co.uk for details and prices.

GET ACTIVE

Children’s Summer Holiday Club @ Oaker Wood Leisure, near Leominster

Multi-activity days for children aged seven-12 including a range of adventurous activities, rafting, climbing, zip wire, low rope assault course, target shooting and more. 9am-3.30pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays in the summer holidays £22.50 per day (discounts for multi-day bookings) Teen Adventure Days for 12 to 16-year-olds: paintball, quads and adrenalin; Wednesdays, 9am-3.30pm, £30 per day. Call 01568 780111 or visit oakerwoodleisure.co.uk/ holiday.

Ten-pin bowling

Test your hand eye coordination as you try to get all 10 down at 1st Bowl Hereford and Grove Golf and Bowl. For details, visit tgsbowling.co.uk or grovegolfandbowl.co.uk.

Ironsides Mountainboard Centre at Court Farm, Tillington

Whatever your ability - safety kit, boards and tuition for beginners all provided. Visit ironsidescourtfarm.co.uk.

Llangorse Multi-activity Centre

The centre offers all sorts of activities from climbing to caving, abseiling to dingle scrambling. For more details, call 03336 002020 or visit activity.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. Visit herefordshire raceway.org.uk or call 01544 318334.

Pedalabikeaway

Cycling in the Forest of Dea. Bikes available for all ages and those with special needs. Call 01594 860065 or visit pedalabikeaway.co.uk.

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. For details, visit GoApe.co.uk.

Canoeing on the Wye

See the country from a different perspective as you paddle down the River Wye. You choose where you start, and the canoe hirer will pick you up when you reach your destination.

For Ross-on-Wye Canoe Hire, visit thecanoehire.co.uk or call 01600 890883.

Hereford Canoe Hire is at Lucksall near Fownhope (herefordcanoehire.comor 01432 873020). Wye Valley Canoe Centre, River Cafe, Glasbury-on-Wye (wyevalleycanoes.co.uk or 01497 847213).

LEARN SOMETHING NEW

Malvern Theatres’ Drama School

August 20-23, 10am to 2pm, ages eight-13, £50.

An exciting opportunity for enthusiastic thespians to work with a professionally trained and experienced practitioner. Over the week, explore acting and vocal techniques, character exploration and create and perform your own work. A fun opportunity to explore all things dramatic and to learn the methodology behind creating characters and audience will believe in. Visit malverntheatres.co.uk.

Les Miserables School Edition: Work Experience

Malvern Theatres Young Company will be performing Les Miserables School Edition this summer and is offering several work experience placements to a few individuals who would like the opportunity to work with professional directors, choreographers, technicians. Placements are available to those aged 16-plus in the following departments: project management; technical/ backstage theatre; wardrobe; and hair and makeup. To be considered for a work placement on the project you need to available from July 29 to August 18. To apply, submit a covering letter and CV to sophie@ malvern-theatres. co.uk. In the subject field make clear you are applying for a placement on The Young Company production.

Animation workshops

Ludlow Assembly Rooms BAFTA-nominated Sandra Salter of Salty’s Animation Co will host a series of animation workshops for eight to 13-year-olds on Tuesday mornings, July 30 to Tuesday, August 27. Visit ludlowassemblyrooms.co.uk for details.

MUSEUMS

Black Country Living Museum

History comes to life at “Britain’s friendliest openair museum”, where costumed demonstrators and working craftsment bring the past to live in historical buildings. On July 20-21 the musem presents a 1940s evening and weekend – join in and dress up, or just pay a visit to experience what it was like to live and party in the 1940s. For more details and other events, visit bclm.co.uk.

St Fagans, near Cardiff

More than 40 original buildings from different historical periods, including a terrace of miners’ cottages through the decades of the 20th century, all rebuilt in 100 acres of parkland near Cardiff. Visit museumwales.ac.uk.

Big Pit, Blaenavon World Heritage Site

Discover how it feels to go underground to work at the coalface and learn about the industrial significance of the area. Visit blaenavon.org.uk.

Techniquest, Cardiff Bay

More than 120 hands-on exhibits at the interactive science centre, all waiting to be pushed, pulled and prodded. For ore details, visit techniquest.org.

At Bristol

Hundreds of hands-on exhibits to explore, live shows and a Planetarium, this is one of the UK’s biggest and most exciting interactive science centres. More information at at-bristol.org.uk.

Amazing Hedge Puzzle and Museum

Endless fun getting lost and running round in circles trying to reach the centre of a Symonds Yat maze that’s made appearances in Merlin. Visit mazes.co.uk or call 01600 890360

Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove

A collection of more than 20 historic buildings representing seven centuries of English building – and the national collection of telephone kiosks. Visit avoncroft.org.uk.

All dates, times and prices believed correct at time of compilation. Check before travelling.