Get creative and travel in time this October half term at Delapre Abbey in Northampton

From making spiderwebs to learning about the history of one of Northampton's oldest houses, there's so much to do at Delapre Abbey this October half term!

Delapre Abbey will be open daily during October half term time to keep families busy with creative, covid-safe activities for all ages to get involved in.

Visitors can step inside one of Northampton’s oldest buildings - a historic country house filled with 900 years of history and captivating stories every day from Thursday October 22 to Sunday November 1.

Timed tickets from 11am to 3pm will take visitors on a socially distanced journey through the Abbey’s intriguing past as a Cluniac nunnery, heyday as a country house, right through to its time as the Record Office before the recent restoration. Children can also discover the Abbey’s history through indoor and outdoor trails.

Tickets sold out in less than a week for this year’s Halloween event for under 12s, ‘Delapre Spooktacular’ but there are many more creative and crafty activities on offer.

Children aged from seven to 12 years old can explore the great outdoors with award-winning Warts and All Theatre’s Adventure Club from October 26 to October 30. Little ones are advised to bring their raincoats, wellies and bags of energy for an action-packed week discovering the Abbey’s past through nature, arts and crafts, treasure hunts and more.

Visitors also have the opportunity to hone those craft skills they picked up during lockdown with The Wild Tribe’s Make Club from October 26 to November 1. Using natural ingredients, children and adults can take part in workshops making their own potions, soap and hand sanitiser.

For those looking to pick up a new skill and make a quick craft item onsite or at home, there is The Mini Make - a pack with everything you need to make a pumpkin and spider’s web from twigs, wool and wooden spiders.

Christine Key, who looks after the commercial activities at the Abbey, said “The past few months and the sell-out success of our family-friendly Halloween event have shown us that our visitors are keen to get out of the house and safely experience everything that the Abbey has to offer. As a result, we’re pleased to offer families a half term filled with Covid-safe creative activities.

“We’ve implemented a number of safety measures to ensure that everyone has a safe and relaxing experience. On arrival, your temperature will be taken, hand sanitiser will be in place, and when visiting the house you’ll be guided along a one-way route by one of our knowledgeable team members.”

Delapre Abbey is a part of Visit Britain’s Good to Go scheme, which means that they adhere to government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, have a risk assessment in place and a process to maintain cleanliness and social distancing.

Visitors can also enjoy the extensive grounds and scrumptious food and drink from the Orangery Cafe and AA-rosette awarded restaurant, Hibiscus. The Orangery is currently open seven days a week and Hibiscus is open from Thursday to Saturday.

This year’s Christmas theme at Delapre Abbey is ‘Stories of Christmas’ and its popular events programme includes a Christmas fair as well as wreath making workshops.

Tickets can be booked on Delapre Abbey’s website - children can explore the historic house for free. Alternatively, their telephone number is 01604 760817.