Half-term is almost upon us (February 11 to 19) and it’s shaping up to be quite the fun-filled week.

Events are taking place all over the area within Hampshire Cultural Trust’s (HCT) museums, arts centres and galleries, so whether you are visiting for Anglo Saxons in Winchester, exploring Alton’s Curtis Museum by torchlight, model painting in Aldershot or games in Basingstoke, February half term will not disappoint.

For full listings see each venue’s website, but some local highlights include:

878 AD at Winchester – Booking until June 2023, during venue opening times. Adult £15, child (five to 15) £9.50, concession £12, family (up to five people, maximum two adults) £46.50.

Experience the sights and sounds of Anglo-Saxon Winchester and discover the stories of the people who lived there, brought to life with the spectacular world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Discovery Tour: Viking Age. 878 AD is a seamless experience in two parts: an interactive attraction with live performance and an augmented reality, self-led app tour of Winchester. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.

Model Mayhem at Aldershot Military Museum – Aldershot GU11 2LG – February 15 and 16, 10.30am, 11am, 11.30am, midday, 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm and 3pm. £3, one model per session. 

Have a go at model soldier painting. Take your finished soldier home and see if you can spot model soldiers on patrol in the museum cabinets. With support from Warlord Games. Suitable for ages three-plus, children must be accompanied.

Professor Slug’s House of Bugs at West End Centre, Aldershot – Wednesday, February 15, 2.30pm to 3.30pm. £8/£28 family of four.

Professor Slug is an eccentric expert on invertebrates who helps bugs out with their buggy problems – and you can too! An interactive show packed full of colourful puppets, catchy songs and educational info about the world of bugs. Suitable for ages three-plus, children must be accompanied.

Make-and-Take at the Allen Gallery, Alton – Saturday, February 18, 11am to 1pm. £3 per person.

Enjoy a fun creative making session and take away your own creative project! There will be a range of materials on offer and guidance from our gallery team. Suitable for ages three-plus, children must be accompanied. 

Museum by Torchlight at Curtis Museum, Alton – Tuesday, February 14, 5.30pm to 7pm. £3 per child. Explore the museum at night! Bring your torch and enjoy our family torchlight trail through the galleries. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.

Nursery Rhyme Trail at Curtis Museum, Alton – February 11 to 19, during museum opening times. Free.

Do you know any nursery rhymes? Join in our free nursery museum trail throughout half term. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.

Play Days: Games At The Museum at Milestones Museum, Basingstoke (pictured) – February 11 to 19, during museum opening times. Included in museum admission.

From the fairground to the penny arcade and hopscotch to skittles, join us for fun and games at the museum throughout half term week! Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.

A Polite Exchange of Bullets: Georgian Pistol Duel With Foreign Field Living History at Winchester City Museum, Winchester – Monday, February 13, 10.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm. Included in museum admission.

Join Georgian gentlemen Mr Bavill and Mr Glover for a performance guaranteed to blow your socks off, as they choose the museum as their duelling grounds. Suitable for ages five-plus, children must be accompanied.

Anglo-Saxon Takeover with Weorod Living History at Winchester City Museum – February 16 and 17, during museum opening times. Included in museum admission.

For two days, the museum is being taken over by Anglo-Saxons, who will be on hand to tell you more about Saxon life. Suitable for all ages, children must be accompanied.