An immersive lighting spectacle, a birthday bash for Dippy the Dinosaur, and exploring the car of the future form part of a bumper line-up of activities for families in Warwickshire this February half-term.

The tourism body for south Warwickshire, Shakespeare's England, has unveiled its top activities for families for the first school holiday of the year, most of which average out at no more than £15 per head.

Make history at Kenilworth Castle

Medieval history fans can find out what it takes to go from squire to knight by learning the required etiquette and attending a family-friendly sword school.

Those who are successful will have the title of knight bestowed upon them by the king.

Takes place between Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 18, 10am to 4pm.

Free for English Heritage members, or family tickets range from £22.50 to £36.50 and can be booked here.

Half term events start at Kenilworth Castle on February 10 (image via English Heritage)

Party like it's 1559 at Market Hall Museum, Warwick

Treat the little ones to a masterclass in Tudor times by playing Tudor games, making decorations and dressing up like a king or queen - and have a go at the introductory juggling workshop.

Runs on Wednesday, February 14th between 10am and 2.30pm.

£5 per child for juggling workshop with pre-booking required at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/heritageboxoffice. £3 to drop in to the session for other activities.

Aim high at Warwick Castle's Festival of Archery

Watch bows bend and arrows soar as expert archers take on a series of daring challenges and interactive quizzes, with visitors also invited to have a go at archery themselves.

While in the castle's 64-acre grounds, families can also explore Zog Playland, get lost in the Horrible Histories Maze, and marvel at the Winter Bird of Prey display.

Festival of Archery takes place between Saturday, February 10 and Monday, February 19, 10am to 4pm. Day passes start from £25 each when booked online in advance at https://www.warwick-castle.com/explore/events/february-half-term/#tickets

Spectacle of Light at Compton Verney

Make the short days last longer by sampling the enchanting Spectacle of Light at Compton Verney, with night time light installations and trails transforming the large historic estate into a world of colour.

Explore the hypnotising landscape with a selection of award-winning street food on offer from Digbeth Dining Club.

The event runs at night time until Sunday, February 18. Prices for two children and two adults start from £57, check website for availability and pricing via the website.

Celebrate Dippy's birthday at the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum

The February half term marks one year since Dippy, The Nation's Favourite Dinosaur, arrived at the Herbert, and families are invited to attend a free birthday bash on Wednesday, February 14 between 10am and 4pm.

As well as seeing Dippy, visitors can handle fossils, meet guests from the world of wild learning, take part in crafts activities – and eat cake. For more information visit www.theherbert.org/whats-on/1789/the-big-dippy-birthday-bash

Visit Dippy at the Herbert Art Gallery & Musuem (image via Advent PR)

Explore the future of cars with the British Motor Museum's resident scientists

Discover a range of energy experiments in the scientists' lab at the Project Energise science show before moving on to The Energy Family Tour to see different energies within cars, and eventually getting hands-on in the Learning Hub to build the car of the future.

Availability between Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 25.

Prices for two adults and up to three children is £43 when booked online at www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Get up close to a Chilean Rose Tarantula at Stratford Butterfly Farm

Escape the cold and indulge in 25-degree temperatures in the UK's largest tropical butterfly destination whilst meeting the butterfly farm's latest addition – the Chilean Rose Tarantula.

Best known for their lovely pink colouring, Chilean Rose Tarantulas are found in desert or scrubland regions of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia.

Enjoy live theatrical performances in the garden of Shakespeare's Birthplace

In celebration of Shakespeare Birthplace Trust's multi-year theme, The Women Who Made Shakespeare, actors will be performing a range of duologues from some of Shakespeare's most famous female characters.

From Lady MacBeth and Cleopatra to Juliet and Rosalind, watch scenes from some of these much-loved characters in the place where Shakespeare was born. Runs between Saturday, February 10 and Sunday, February 18 between 10am and 4pm.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to see the Falcon Inn Chair for the first time at Shakespeare's Birthplace – which is an oak panel-back armchair once believed to have been used by William Shakespeare, who allegedly drank at the Falcon Inn in Bidford where he held his club meetings.

A Shakespeare's Story ticket for two adults and three children costs £65 – which provides entry to all three of Shakespeare's family homes, and is valid for 12 months with repeat entry. For more details visit www.shakespeare.org.uk

Shakespeare's schoolroom (image by Sara Beaumont Photography)

Explore Stratford-upon-Avon through a free, interactive trail from the RSC

Start and finish a winter trail from the Royal Shakespeare Theatre as a digital story narrator guides you through the town, inspired by themes of magic in RSC stage productions of The Box of Delights and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

The tour takes around 60-90 minutes. More details can be found via www.rsc.org.uk/events/winter-trail

Adventure down Magic Alley in Stratford-upon-Avon

Visit 'WonderWorld' – a magical fantasy-inspired maze packed full of puzzles and challenges where visitors will meet dinosaurs, dragons, unicorns and fairies. Suitable for those aged six plus.

Runs from Saturday, February 10 to Friday, March 22. Admission is £8 per person, and can be booked online via www.magicalleystratford.com/events

Go on a welly wander at Charlecote Park

Families are invited to pop on their favourite pair of wellington boots to paddle in puddles and explore the parkland in this family friendly activity trail. Booking not needed.

Trails cost £2 from the visitor reception, and admission starts from £32.50 for a family. The trail can be explored between 9am and 3pm between Saturday, February 10th and Sunday, February 25th. For more details visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/warwickshire/charlecote-park/events

More Tudor adventures at St Mary's Guildhall

St Mary's Guildhall, which dates back to 1342, is inviting youngsters to be immersed in the 16th century with activities exploring what life was like for Tudor families during the spring.

The award-winning venue, which completed a £6m renovation in 2022, is hosting "Blooms and Tudor Spring Traditions" from Saturday, February 10 until Sunday, February 18.

Tudor food is also on the menu as families are invited to step into the midst of Lent and discover unique culinary habits in the countdown to Easter.

A family ticket for two adults and up to three children is £26. To book visit https://stmarysguildhall-tickets.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/1173640059/events/428540895

Embark on a bird-watching adventure

Swooping into Shakespeare's Schoolroom & Guildhall is a bird watching adventure and a bird crafting activity. 

Both will take place from Saturday 10 February to Sunday 25 February as part of the award-winning attraction's family-friendly fun. 

Eagle-eyed visitors will be challenged to help Twitch and his friends to find some missing bird exhibits as part of the Twitchers Museum Adventure organised by Kids in Museums and Walker Books. And inspired by the robins, blackbirds and nightingales that Shakespeare wrote about, visitors can decorate their own wooden bird, with a variety of colourful materials to choose from.  

For more information on things to do in south Warwickshire, visit www.shakespeares-england.co.uk