The heritage city of Winchester is widely known for its beautiful architecture, cultural events and fabulous restaurants. It also has a surprisingly wide variety of activities that appeal to children. If the youngest member of your family could plan their trip, this is what they would choose to do in Winchester this February half term.

Visit the moon
The Museum of the Moon artwork by artist Luke Jerram is coming to Winchester for the first time in February 2024. Pop into Winchester Cathedral to marvel at its beauty or take part in one of the fun activities with your family like a special silent disco under the moon on 17th February. There is also moon related craft and astronomical adventure workshops.

This large-scale installation has travelled the globe and is being dubbed one of the National History Museum's most popular exhibits of all time, after 2 million+ visitors have appreciated its beauty. Entry to see the Museum of the Moon artwork is included with your general admission ticket which is £12.50 for grown-ups and accompanying under sixteens are free. The extra activities are charged accordingly, details here.

Step into galaxies
Every evening between 10th and 18th February, Middle Brook Street and Kings Walk in the city centre will be transformed into Glowing Galaxies.  It's free for all the family to enjoy, even the adults! As night falls the streets will be lit with twinkly lights, stars, planets and swirling galaxies.  

Learn how to hibernate
It's hibernation season but the fun doesn't stop at Winchester Science Centre and Planetarium's Zero Degrees. Until 19th February you can find out all the fascinating facts about hibernation. Here you can find out all the fascinating facts about hibernation. Learn how creatures survive the cold, dark winters and see how many species simply slow down to conserve their energy. For those feeling brave, step outside and try some hibernation den building. Back inside there's a brand new action-packed live science show with exciting experiments about the science of water temperatures. Plus, there's two floors of interactive exhibits, huge 'don't try this at home demos' and lots more science things to get busy with!

Over in the Planetarium, space adventurers will blast off into the stars in the exciting presenter-led show, Beyond the Moon. Fly around the solar system learning more about the constellations, planets and moons that surround us.

All entry is by prebooked tickets. Book seven or more days in advance to save 25%; £13.75 adults and children (including gift aid). Details here.

We're going to the zoo, and you can come too
There is so much to see and do at Marwell with over 140 acres and a huge variety of animals to discover. Our best advice is to get your grown-ups to bring you here early, gates open at 10am. Plan your day in advance by downloading the free Marwell Zoo app. This will guide you round the park and tell you what's on and animal feeding times. 

As you walk round test how you measure up against the height of a giraffe or the wingspan of our feathered friends via special information boards. As well as the hundreds of animals, there are five adventure playgrounds in the park, including an accessible play area. There are also lots of places to feed your adults or you could take a picnic.  

Make sure you dress for the February weather. If it's not so good, you can stay dry in some of the animal walk throughs and warm-up in the tropical house. 
Book your tickets here. In winter adult tickets are £19 and children 3-16 years are £15.50. 

Go back in time
Want to find out what life was like a long, long time ago? Visit 878 AD and take a trip all the way back to Anglo-Saxon Winchester. History will come to life before your very eyes through the world of the video game Assassin's Creed Valhalla and its educational experience, Discovery Tour, which is free of combat and adapted for audiences of all ages. Actors, artefacts, games and quests will take you and your grown-ups back to a pivotal point in the history of England as an emerging, unified nation: the defeat of the Vikings by Alfred the Great at the Battle of Edington in May 878. Continue your journey of discovery afterwards with a walk around town using an augmented reality app. 

This February there is a special side quest, Bready, Set, Dough. The townsfolk need your help in preparing for a feast fit for King Alfred himself. But with tensions increasing, and the fate of history once again in the balance, will you be able prove yourself and rise to the challenge or will you just make a meal of it?!
Book you tickets in advance here. Adults are £12.50 and children 5-15 years £8.50 

Get hands on with history
On 16th and 17th February, Winchester City Museum is being taken over by Anglo-Saxons, who will be on hand to tell you more about what Saxon life was like, to demonstrate some of their skills, and to talk to you about some of the fascinating Anglo-Saxon artefacts in their collection. This is an exciting opportunity to get hands on with an assortment of historically accurate replicas of our artefacts, whilst being guided by the very people who used them! And while you are here, why not dress up in our Anglo-Saxon clothes to take some fun photos?
Find out more here. Grown-ups are £6.50, children 5-15 £4.50

Are we nearly there yet?
However you are getting to Winchester this February half-term, you will find it easily accessible. We are close to an airport in Southampton and on a direct rail line to London, the Midlands and the North. If you are coming by car, park outside the city cheaply using the park and ride. There are also lots of places here if your family fancy a sleep over.

 For further information and news of the latest events bookmark Visit Winchester and follow us on Instagram @visitwinchesteruk and Facebook @visitwinchester