Escape into the literary world of Rudyard Kipling with a sleepover in the wooded grounds of Kipling’s family home. There will be games and storytelling around the campfire, before falling asleep nestled in the wooded landscape of the Sussex Weald. Adventurers can wild camp in green glades and woodland at Sheffield Park and Garden, or escape into the fantasy world of Rudyard Kipling with a sleepover in the tree-lined grounds. Adults £19, Children £9.50
(4pm 9 July – 10am 10 July)
Sutton Bank is an official Dark Sky Discovery Site, thanks to its low levels of light pollution and clear horizons. This year you can join The York Astronomical Society for night-sky star-gazing and you can even bring your own telescope if you wish. There are illustrated talks, plenty of expert advice and refreshments available. Adults £4.00, Children £3.00
(8 October 7pm - 9pm)
Big kids and little ones can take part in a ‘Sleeping with Sharks’ experience, with the chance to see what happens at night in the National Aquarium, along with games, arts and crafts; a 4D cinema experience and a midnight snack. If you make it to morning, breakfast awaits. Children: £40 and £30 for accompanying adults.
(3 June, 12 August, 28 October)
- This overnight stay offers you the chance to build your own shelters; cook campfire food and learn bushcraft skills with one of the Sherwood Pines Forest rangers. You can choose from a range of skills to learn including fire-lighting; willow-basket weaving and water purifying. Sherwood Pines Forest is a popular attraction but not many people get to experience it after dark. Overnight bushcraft events take place on 18-19 and 25-26 August from 4pm until 11am the following day and cost £45 per person.
Enjoy the peace and quiet of Regent's Park in central London this summer with an evening at the beautiful open air theatre. Productions running through the summer months include Shakespeare's Henry V, Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and Pride and Prejudice.
Find out more about tickets and times here.
Sleddale Hall will host the ultimate open-air Picnic Cinema again this summer and fans of classic Withnail & I can come to pay homage to the cult film at the very place where it was filmed. This camping-only screening food and games, not to mention the actual film. Then later on the site becomes a dance floor with an on-site bar. Breakfast is served in the morning to soothe aching heads. Tickets cost £38 and include an evening meal and camping on the Friday or Saturday night.
(22 - 23 July)
Sleep within roaring distance of a pride of majestic lions at ZSL London Zoo. Guests will be welcomed to the colourful cabins nestled in the heart of the new exhibit: Land of the Lions, and will be treated to an evening meal and breakfast. Guests will be taken on exclusive evening and morning tours with which include fascinating facts and tips on spotting certain species among the Zoo’s 17,000 residents. The Gir Lion Lodge experience will be open six nights a week from 25 May until December 2016, with designated family and adult-only nights. Prices start from £378 per couple, including entry to ZSL’s Zoos on both days of the experience.
(Opening 25 May)
Set in eerie seafront caves, this location has a fascinating and spooky history to explore as it was previously a site used for druid ceremonies! Surrounded by real crime artefacts, including murder weapons and execution chairs, The True Crimes Museum’s Ghostly Nights is not for the ‘non-believers’ or faint hearted, with the evening including paranormal investigations and ghost hunting. £40 per person.
(4 June 8pm-2am)
- Want to experience the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, enjoy a rousing concert and watch some glitzy fireworks? The Castle Howard Proms Spectacular is the answer! Enjoy the luxury of an evening of music in the grounds of the stately home found in the Howardian Hills before the spectacular fireworks kicks off, winding down the evening.
Take the kids along to learn more about the country's history at this live-action night show in the grounds of Auckland Castle. 'Kynren - an epic tale of England' will be put on by 1,000 volunteers and there's even a full sized lake in the centre of the stage!
Find out more and buy tickets here.