This February half-term in Norwich, the City of Stories, there's a fabulous and diverse mix of activities to keep all ages happy and amused from morning 'til night- to suit all pockets. From a 3-night free light festival to a new pirate ship on the Broads, to a train ride with teddies and topflight women's international football at Carrow Road- home to Premiership club The Canaries.

And with Norfolk easy to get around by car or public transport you're never far from a thrilling cultural experience in its capital Norwich, messing about on the river in the Broads or taking in the delights of the coast and countryside. On a short break it's easy to do it all depending on where your mood takes you; all you need is good clothes for the weather!

Start the week with a swashbuckling adventure out on a pirate themed river trip (14 – 18 Feb) with Broads Tours whilst enjoying some fabulous scenery. This new experience is sure to appeal to parents, grandparents and children alike. Get on board the Cordon Rouge in the quest to find lost treasure. With pirate-themed decoration, children's activity packs and commentary from the pirate ship captain “Flint”, let your imagination run wild!

It's not just the children who sometimes need entertaining, how about a treat for the family's treasured bears? Head to the Bure Valley Railway (12 – 20 Feb) for the Teddy Bear Express where kids and bears go free on this wonderful, themed trip through the Norfolk countryside.

Love Light Norwich (17 – 19 Feb) returns for a second year- a free 3-night light festival across Norwich city centre where visitors can experience incredible projections, installations, performance and special events each night. As well as a themed Love Food Trail. There's plenty to see with 17 installations, 6 emerging artists' work, a parade and some light works to participate in.

Ahead of UEFA Women's EURO 2022 see world-class football on Sunday 20th February at Norwich City Football ground- Carrow Road, where in The Arnold Clark Cup England's women's football team will be taking on Spain. Whilst later in the day Canada play Germany. Tickets start at £10.

For younger members of the family how about The Sooty Show (16 Feb, Norwich City Football Club) then get your selfie with a meet and greet afterwards. Whilst there book a table at Yellows Bar & Grill- Delia Smith's on site burger restaurant, offering a 50% discount on the children's menu between 12pm – 5.30pm.

Trips to the theatre always go down a treat and there are plenty to choose from. At Norwich Playhouse see Oi Frog & Friends! Live on stage based on the bestselling books by Kes Gray and Jim Field (9 – 13 Feb). Or Shlomo's Beatbox Adventure for Kids (16 Feb). Whilst at Norwich Theatre Royal see Fireman Sam (20 Feb) and the Ministry of Science (20 Feb). At Norwich Puppet Theatre shows include Oldilocks and the Three Bears (16 – 17 Feb) and Under the Frozen Moon (20 Feb) plus a puppet making workshop for all the family (16 - 17 Feb).

In North Norfolk enjoy a full day outdoors with a host of great events in beautiful countryside with Love Birds at Holkham Hall (12 – 20 Feb). From bird spotting to workshops, each day there will be free trails around the grounds with no booking necessary. Sign up for the Build a Bird Box Workshop, where kids get to join a wildlife expert to learn about the importance of promoting birds in the garden. Then take the bird box home to decorate! Or there's an Avian Art Workshop, a creative session that will see the kids create a bird themed masterpiece. The grounds are also open for walks and cycling with bike hire available from £10.

Norwich is a great city for families with museums, quaint streets for walking, green spaces with playgrounds, family friendly eateries and Norwich Market for street food and souvenirs.

Notes to editors

For images please contact Mel Cook PR & marketing manager, VisitNorwich melanie.cook@norwichbid.co.uk.

www.visitnorwich.co.uk

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Cordon Rouge Pirate themed river trips (20 minutes' drive from Norwich)
14 – 18 February 
Trips last for 1.5 hours and run twice daily during half-term. Tickets £12.50 for adults and children. (And don't forget to dress up as a pirate too!)
www.broadstours.co.uk/cordon-rouge-broads-river-trips/

Teddy Bear Express, Bure Valley Railway (20 minutes' drive from Norwich)
12 – 20 February
Kids go free with each full fare paying adult (£16 adults, maximum two children 0-15 per adult).
www.bvrw.co.uk/events/Teddy-Bear-Express

Love Light Norwich (city centre, FREE)
17 – 19 February
www.lovelightnorwich.co.uk

The Arnold Clark Cup (NCFC Carrow Road, Norwich city centre)
20 February
England vs Spain https://ticketingcontent.thefa.com/Arnold%20Clark%20Cup%20-%20ENG%20v%20ESP
Canada vs Germany https://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/the-arnold-clark-cup-canada-v-germany-norwich-20-02-2022/event/35005B8EA8802820)

The Sooty Show (NCFC Carrow Road, Norwich city centre)
16 February
Tickets £10 (Junior Canaries are free)
https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/carrow-road-to-host-the-sooty-show

Yellows Bar & Grill (NCFC Carrow Road, Norwich city centre)
www.deliascanarycatering.co.uk/PagesPublic/UserControlled/UserDefined.aspx?page=Yellows

Oi Frog & Friends! (Norwich Playhouse)
9 – 13 February
Tickets from £12
https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/oi-frog-and-friends/

Shlomo's Beatbox Adventure for Kids (Norwich Playhouse)
16 February
Tickets £10
https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/shlomos-beatbox-adventure-for-kids/

Fireman Sam or Ministry of Science (Norwich Theatre Royal)
20 February
Tickets from £18
https://norwichtheatre.org/whats-on/?venue-location[]=norwich-theatre-royal

Oldilocks and the Three Bears (Norwich Puppet Theatre, city centre)
16 – 17 February
Tickets £9, ages 3+
https://puppettheatre.co.uk/event/oldilocks-and-the-three-bears/

Under the Frozen Moon (Norwich Puppet Theatre, city centre)
20 February
Tickets £9
https://puppettheatre.co.uk/event/under-the-frozen-moon/

Bunch of Bears: Family Workshop (Norwich Puppet Theatre, city centre)
16 – 17 February, workshop suitable for ages 4+.
Two participants £19, three £27, four £34 and five £40.
https://puppettheatre.co.uk/event/bunch-of-bears-family-workshop/

Holkham Hall (North Norfolk)
12 – 20 February, various prices
https://www.holkham.co.uk/events/details/love-birds

About VisitNorwich

• VisitNorwich is the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) for the Norwich area and is the tourism destination marketing function of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) - www.visitnorwich.co.uk.
• VisitNorwich is a membership organisation within Norwich BID and its activities are funded by Investment Partners, public sector stakeholders including Norwich City Council and directly by Norwich BID.
• VisitNorwich's sole focus is to promote and develop the destination and support its Investment Partners through collaborative marketing, research, information and business advice.
• In 2020 Norwich, the City of Stories was shortlisted in the City Nation Place Awards 2020 for 'Place Brand of the Year'
• Total value of tourism in Norwich is £ 774,158,590 including 13,522,000 trips (day and staying) - Destination Research: Economic Impact of Tourism report 2019.
• In 2019 Norwich Market was named Best Large Outdoor Market in the Country in The Great British Market Awards.
• In 2019 Norwich became the UK's first Sharing City part of the Sharing Cities Alliance.