HISTORY.

Take an unusual history lesson and catch a glimpse of life in times gone by. From the Jacobean age to a piece of history that is still within living memory for many, there is plenty to discover in the region’s many exciting museums.

See some of the oldest-known fossil plants and land animals in the world at Ludlow Museum and discover how a famous Victorian geologist made Ludlow’s rocks famous around the world. The museum also tells the story of the people who have lived and worked in Ludlow, from the Bronze Age farmers through to the present day. For further information, call 01694 781306.

Experience life in a Victorian town in Blists Hill, Ironbridge where the bank will exchange your contemporary currency for Victorian coins for you to spend in the town’s shops. A series of drop-in workshops take place during the holidays. For more information, visit ironbridge.org.uk and follow the links to Blists Hill.

At Blaenavon World Heritage Site, you can visit the ironworkers’ cottages in Stack Square, location of the BBC’s popular Coal House series, and go underground at Big Pit to experience something of what life was like as a miner, with tours to the coalface conducted by men who worked there before the pit closed. For more information, visit world-heritage-blaenavon.org.uk Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings – A fascinating museum of historic buildings spanning seven centuries, rescued from destruction and rebuilt timber by timber or brick by brick. From the 16th century Merchant’s House from Bromsgrove to a 1940s prefab, you’ll take a walk through history at Avoncroft.

On Sunday and Monday, April 12-13, join in some Tudor Easter fun and paint a traditional Tudor Easter egg to take home. Throughout the Easter holidays, you can take part in the Easter quest and win a prize.

For more information, visit avoncroft.org.uk At The Old House in Hereford’s High Town, built in 1621, a fascinating museum gives an insight into daily life in Jacobean times. It is furnished in period style with interesting pieces, including wall paintings, beds and baby walkers, wherever you look.

There are hands-on activities for children including replica clothing and puzzles. For further information, call 01432 260694.

ZOOLOGY, BIOLOGY, GEOGRAPHY.

Put your walking boots on, pack a picnic and discover the local countryside. Click on ramblers.org. uk and follow the links to ‘your region’ and find out about all the walks in and around the country, or try shropshirewalking.co.uk where you’ll find detailed maps and directions for following the Shropshire Way.

On the site of the National Birds of Prey Centre and back in the hands of Jemima Parry-Jones, the International Centre for Birds of Prey in Newent offers the unmissable chance not just to see and learn about a wide range of birds of prey but also to watch them in flight at one of the daily flying sessions. International Centre for Birds of Prey: 01531 820286 or 01531 821581.

West Midlands Safari Park offers a perfect combination of fur and fun, with a four-mile safari trail providing sightings of rare white lions, elephants, rhinos, wallabies, wolves and wild dogs, tigers, camels and all kinds of deer and a leisure park where you’ll find 30 rides and attractions with something for all the family. A real value-for-money day out. For more information, visit wmsp.co.uk Relax and enjoy wildlife and nature as it was intended at Rays Farm, a gold-award winning family day out set in the glorious Shropshire countryside near Bridgnorth.

Meander through ancient woodlands and winding pathways, keeping an eye out for the local residents – buzzards, kingfishers, woodpeckers, and the largest privately owned collection of owls in Shropshire and a friendly herd of pygmy goats. Rays Farm Country Matters, Billingsley, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, 01299 841255.

You don’t need to drive as far as the coast for a sight of marine life. Just head for the heart of Birmingham to discover a wealth of underwater magic. Spectacular displays from touch pools to walk-through underwater tunnels provide breathtaking encounters with everything from shrimps and starfish to seahorses, sharks and rays. Birmingham SeaLife Centre, the Waters Edge, Brindleyplace, Birmingham. Call 0121 643 6777 or visit sealifeeurope.com for more information.

ART, DRAMA AND FILM.

Explore your creative side with a day out painting your own pottery. Try Glazydays Pottery Cafe (01531 636018) in Ledbury where you can choose from the largest selection of pieces in the area – from piggy banks to plates, tiles to teapots. Other places you can go to have fun painting something unique as a gift or for yourself include Manic Ceramics (01432 277712) in Capuchin Yard, Hereford, Green Frog Pottery (01684 561778) in Barnards Green, Malvern and the Paint It Yourself Pottery (01242 575700) in Cheltenham.

Enjoy an afternoon’s music-making at Berrington Hall on Wednesday, April 8, from 2pm to 4pm. For full details, call 01568 615721 or make an Easter bonnet on Wednesday, April 11, from 2pm to 4pm. For more information, call 01568 615721.

At Ludlow Assembly Rooms, older children, aged six to 11, can get creative making Easter cards and presents for family and friends with Tanith Kinton on Thursday, April 9, or have fun doing biscuit decoration or sweet making on Wednesday, April 16. For further details, call Ludlow Assembly Rooms box office on 01584 878141.

There are also three great films for younger audiences this Easter at Ludlow Assembly Rooms.

The Tale of Despereaux (U) is a charming fairy-tale animation about a big-eared mouse who falls in love with a Princess, befriends a rat and saves a kingdom. It’s showing from Monday, April 6, to Wednesday, April 8, at 2pm.

The Secret of Moonacre (U) is a fantasy based on the novel The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. Orphan Maria Merryweather goes to live with her uncle at the mysterious Moonacre Manor, and a magical journey begins. Showing Thursday, April 9, at 6.30pm, Friday, April 10, and Sunday, April 12, at 2pm.

Finally there’s Bolt (PG), an animated comedy about a dog who stars in his own TV series and is convinced that he actually has superpowers. When he’s abandoned in New York and has to find his way back to Hollywood, he finds out that you don’t need superpowers to be a hero. Showing on Monday, April 13, Tuesday, April 14, and Wednesday, April 15, at 2pm. For details, times and to book call Ludlow Assembly Rooms box office on 01584 878141.

Theatre of Widdershins is bringing children’s theatre to Ludlow with a re-telling of the traditional fairy tale Rapunzel. The Grimm brothers’ tale of a princess with very long hair is brought to life with storytelling, puppetry and music, and at the end of the show the puppeteer invites the children on stage to meet the puppets. Rapunzel is suitable for children four and over. The show is at Ludlow Assembly Rooms on Saturday, April 18, at 11.30am and 1.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01584 878141.

European Ballet brings Cinderella, the most enchanting of fairy tales to the Assembly Rooms on Saturday, April 11. The much loved story captures the romance of Cinderella and the Prince, the magic of the glass slipper, the hilarious antics of the Ugly Sisters and the glittering elegance of the ball. Beautifully complemented by Serge Prokofiev’s famous score and sumptuous costumes and sets, this great classical ballet is a special treat for ballet lovers of all ages. Performances are at 3pm and 7.30pm. To book, call the box office on 01584 878141.

GAMES AND PE.

Discover the exhilaration of the UK’s fastest growing board sport – mountain boarding – on Herefordshire hillsides. Court Farm in Tillington is the first official Maxtrak centre in the county and a great place to mountain board whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned boarder. At Out to Grass in Cradley you’ll find another great place to experience the speed and excitement of mountain boarding.

Court Farm Mountain Board Centre, 01432 760271/ courtfarmleisure.co.uk Out to Grass, 01886 880099/ outtograss.com Keeping children of different ages amused can be a challenge in school holidays, but for the over-eights, go-karting offers a brilliant solution. Boys and girls alike love speeding around the track, trying to beat each other and themselves, with every driver given a print-out of their lap times at the end. And the best thing is that karting is such a buzz that it can be 24 hours before they ask what’s next on the activity programme!

Herefordshire Raceway, near Weobley, call 01544 318334 to book or for further information.

Take to the treetops at Go Ape! in the Forest of Dean, where a circuit of the treetop highwires, zip wires and cargo nets provides a great workout for mind and body as you concentrate to negotiate each challenge, and, especially for adults more used to walking supermarket aisles than walking in the air, an enormous sense of achievement. Under-18s must be accompanied by an adult and height restrictions apply. Visit goape.co.uk for booking details PLAYTIME.

Easter egg trails take place at both Berrington Hall and the Brockhampton Estate over the Easter weekend. Supported by Cadburys, there is a chocolate treat on offer to everyone who takes part. At Brockhampton (01885 488099/482077) the trail runs on Sunday and Monday, April 12-13 between noon and 4pm. At Berrington Hall (01568 615721), you can join the trail between 11am and 4pm.

Visit Eastnor Castle and take part in the ‘Eggs Factor’, a fun treasure hunt around the castle and grounds for all the family. Search for the elusive Eastnor Easter bunnies and chickens who have escaped and dressed up as their favourite pop stars. The event runs from Friday, April 10, to Monday, April 13, hosted by Wizard Wonky.

THERE’S an opportunity for all ages to let off some steam, when Ludlow Assembly Rooms holds indoor bouncy castle sessions on April 15. For more information, call the box office on 01584 878141.

PRE-SCHOOL.

Indoor play centres are the perfect place for little ones to let off plenty of steam. Head for Mickey Miller’s Family Play Barn at Oakfield Farm, Craven Arms (01588 673800) or Play Planet in Hereford’s Widemarsh Street (playplanet hereford.co.uk).

There are plenty of activities for youngsters aged three to 11 at Ludlow Assembly Rooms this Easter. The very youngest can take part in an Easter treasure hunt on Tuesday, April 7, and look for hidden treasures in the building. This is a drop-in session between 2pm-4pm, and the whole family can join in. And on Thursday, April 9, there’s Spring Chickens, a fun movement session for little ones aged three to six with dance teacher Holly Joynson. For further details, call 01584 878141.