As Whitsun also coincides with the start of a school half-term week, you have every reason to get out and about. So we have drawn up a list of exciting ideas below for things to do and places to go in the Mansfield and Ashfield area, particularly with families in mind.
Many of you will be keen to fire up the barbecue to mark the first sign of summer. But before that, why not check out the annual maypole dancing day at Wellow, walk with dinosaurs at White Post Farm or enjoy a tour of Sherwood Forest?
There’s also the latest steam day at Papplewick Pumping Station, as well as fun in the sun at Rufford Abbey and Southwell Minster.
Mansfield’s Palace Theatre hosts a spring panto, starring big names such as Joanne Clifton, Kerry Katona and Dean Gaffney, while Mansfield Museum and the town’s parks host half-term events for youngsters.
Before you set off, please remember to check the individual website of your chosen destination for opening times and admission prices.
And if you would like an upcoming event to be featured here in future weeks, please email me at [email protected]
Have a great weekend!
5. Chainsaw sculpture at pumping station steam day
Chainsaw sculpture (pictured) will be among the attractions at an artisan fair, the big highlight of the latest steam days at Papplewick Pumping Station in Ravenshead on Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday (10.30 am to 4 pm). It's always a fascinating family day out at Britain's finest Victorian waterworks, with this weekend's event also featuring model warships, reservoir tours, traders, bushcraft, blacksmith demonstrations, 'bug house' trails and much more. Photo: Submitted
6. Explore beautiful gardens at Southwell Minster
Here's your chance to explore the beautiful Palace Gardens at Southwell Minster on Sunday (11 am to 4 pm). Set among the magnificent ruins of The Archbishop's Palace, the gardens are full of shrubs, flowering plants, mature trees, lawns, medieval herbs and sculptures, with grasslands, wild flowers and orchids at Potwell Dyke a short walk away. The open day is part of the National Garden Scheme to raise money for nursing and health charities. Photo: Submitted
7. Exhibition by Kirkby artist at Mansfield Museum
Acclaimed professional artist and art tutor Jonathan Annable, who hails from Kirkby, stages his latest exhibition at Mansfield Museum from next Tuesday until Friday, July 7 (10 am to 3 pm). 'Shed Of Dreams' presents a new collection of large and small oil paintings, which have emerged from his home studio, a 20-foot workshop shed at the bottom of his garden. Jonathan says: "It is a celebration of art and how it helped us through the dark days of the pandemic." Photo: Submitted
8. Epic Pirates v Knights trail at Rufford Abbey
Family fun is guaranteed this weekend and throughout half-term week (10.30 am to 4 pm) at Rufford Abbey Country Park (pictured), which stages a Knights v Pirates Trail for youngsters. It's an epic adventure to save the kingdom of 'Ye Olde Rufford Abbey'. Via activity sheets, your quest is to find the shields and the Jolly Rogers to restore peace between the pirates and knights of Rottingham. At the end, you will win your very own treasure. Photo: Matt Selby