Visit Calderdale in the School Holidays: A 2 Day Itinerary

Are you looking for a last-minute getaway for all the family over the Easter holidays? Then look no further, Visit Calderdale has created a 2-day itinerary for families, including some of the Borough’s most exciting things to do for kids.

Day One

You’ve got a jam-packed day ahead of you at the National Children’s Museum Eureka! With six unique zones to discover, and hundreds of interactive exhibits designed to inspire enquiring minds, you won’t find a better day out for kids aged 0 – 11.  Make some noise and explore how music is created, experience the world of work and take over a child-sized town, and step inside giant body parts. Each zone is full to the brim with equipment to explore, activities to do, and buttons to press.

Visit this Easter and take part in Eureka’s Easter Eco Explorers, their special Easter Holiday event focusing on our amazing planet Earth and what we can do to look after it. You could:

  • watch a series of nature inspired short films as part of Leeds Young Film Festival
  • take part in SCRAPtastic workshops and create a piece of spring themed art using recycled materials
  • become Eco-warriors and find out how to look after our green spaces
  • visit the Climate Action trail to see how climate change is affecting different habitats

After all that activity, you will all have worked up a bit of an appetite. Why not try gaming diner and bar ‘Next Level’ at Dean Clough? This cool, independent eatery offers gourmet food alongside free-to-play retro arcade games!

Or, check out one of the family friendly restaurants at Broad Street Plaza, where there’s something for everyone. Both Broad Street Plaza and Dean Clough have ample parking, and Dean Clough parking is free all weekend, on bank holidays and on weekdays after 5pm.

 

Next Level, at Dean Clough Mills

 

Day Two

You’ve got options for Day Two!

Just outside Halifax towncentre is Manor Heath Jungle Experience, where you’ll discover a tropical greenhouse filled with a wide range of plants from all over the world. Wooden walkways in the greenhouse take you over streams and past ponds containing fish and terrapin, and you can also visit Manor Heath Park’s beautiful Walled Garden, and recharge with a sandwich, cuppa and cake the Flutterbites Cafe.

If you’re in Halifax on a Thursday, we’d recommend a trip to the wonderful volunteer-run Calderdale Industrial Museum, open on Saturdays, and Thursdays in the school holidays. There you’ll find four fascinating floors of industrial and social history, extremely knowledgeable local guides and demonstrations of old machines still in working condition! Whilst you’re there, you can’t miss the stunning Piece Hall…a huge open-air courtyard surrounded by independent shops, bars, cafes and a restaurant.  Take a wander around their unique shops (try Totally Awesome’ for high quality games, puzzles and toys, or retro gaming arcade ‘Blast from the Past’!) or grab a bite to eat (the icecream at Blondin’s has won awards!) The Piece Hall’s popular Easter Trail is also back again during the school holidays, with activities to complete around the building to earn a chocolate treat.

If you’ve still got energy to burn, you could make a last stop at the fantastic Bankfield Museum, which tells the story of Halifax and Calderdale, using its rich and diverse collections. Their collections contain objects from Ancient Egypt through to the 21st Century and cover local history, costume, art, toys, military history, jewellery and textiles from around the world! Entry is free, and there’s free parking – what’s not to love?

Manor Heath Jungle Experience

 

Where to Stay – You’ll need a base to stay whilst you and your family are exploring Calderdale. If you want to stay in the towncentre, the Imperial Crown Hotel is just across the road from Eureka, or there’s a Travel Lodge at Dean Clough Mills.  If you’d like to soak up the glorious Calderdale countryside whilst you’re here, then why not stay a bit out of the town centre at Bowers Mill apartments – luxuriously appointed rooms each with their own very special theme, situated in an historic 18th century mill building.

You can browse all of our accommodation options here.