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Get Ready for the Summer Holidays with Land of Oak & Iron

A sharpay dog running towards the camera in a field of wildflowers. It is a sunny day, with bright green trees and a blue sky in the background.

Schools Out for Summer!

From creative workshops and chocolate creations to creatures big and small, there’s something for everyone. We’ve got an amazing programme of events for children and adults alike this summer – so get ready and get yourself down to the heritage centre to take part! Spaces are limited—don’t miss out!


Paid Events


Children’s Collage Workshops | £12 (includes 1 child and 1 parent/guardian) | Tuesday 4th July
Two animal drawings made of paper and cut out are placed on the table and collaged paper has been applied on top. Various scrap paper, scissors, pencils and other stationary are visible in the backgroun

Tying in with our exhibiting artist Josie, she will be running children’s collage workshops suitable for ages 4-11! They’ll use cutting, sticking and drawing to make colourful characters out of paper. It’s a great way for kids to connect to our exhibition Big Small Nature Club.


Three Billy Goats Gruff Experience | £8 (1 child and 1 parent/guardian) | Saturday 22nd August
A billy goat that has stepped onto a very small prop bridge. At the foot of the bridge is examples of a paper mask craft activity and a stuffed toy depicting the bridge troll from the fairytale The Billy Goats Gruff.

In this amazing new meet & greet with Stony Pastures, you can meet the real Billy Goats Gruff before taking part in a fun craft activity! Experience these beautiful animals and learn a bit about their care, before they recreate the classic fairytale. Afterwards you can make a goat mask to take home with you.

Bugs ‘n’ Stuff | £10 per person | Friday 7th August

Join Guy, a bug enthusiast that has travelled the world learning all about the planet’s creepy crawlies, as he tells you all about these amazing creatures and lets you get up close and personal! This evening session is perfect for adventurous children and adults alike.

Kids Chocolate-Making Workshop | £28.50 per child | Saturday 29th August
A series of images showing the making of decorated chocolate bugs.

Is your kid crazy for chocolate? We have the workshop for them! Join us and Davenport’s Chocolates for an amazing session making their very own sweet creations, with plenty to taste and nibble on throughout.


Bark in the Park | Free to browse, £3.50 to enter the dog show | Sunday 16th August
Four dogs, three Labradors and a border collie, sit in front of Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre, specifically in front of the Okie-Dokie bench. It is made from wood kept largely in natural organic shapes. The dogs are looking into the camera.

Every year we celebrate our furry friends at our Bark in the Park event! Doggy-themed stalls will take over the Heritage Centre, before a friendly and informal Dog Show with fun categories like Golden Oldie, Most Likely to Steal Your Snacks and Waggiest Tail.

Free Events


Music in the Courtyard – Urban Chorus | Free | Sunday 26th July
A picture of the members of Urban Chorus, taken in front of a church pulpit with stained glass windows visible behind them.

Urban Chorus are back by popular demand – a great musical group that perform rock and pop songs from the 80s onward and adding their own unique twist with beautiful harmonies.

Red Kites Jazz | Free | Friday 31st July
A collage of images showing the members of Red Kite Jazz, a musical group comprised of a saxophone player, a guitar player and a drummer

Our live music and food evenings are a great way to spend a few hours relaxing at the end of the month! Join us for an entertaining evening of live music and food with this month’s performers Red Kites Jazz. They are a quintet playing a range of easy melodic jazz from the Great American Songbook into the modern era – they’re joined by vocalist Miriam McCormick for this performance.


Fun With Chemistry | Free | Friday 21st August
An image of a man at a covered table, explaining a chemistry activity to two children and their mother, who eagerly wait with pen and paper.

We have the Royal Society of Chemistry from Northumbria University doing free activities with the kids all day, including fun experiments and DIY gift wrap. We’ll also have Michael Turner displaying his Cabinet of Curiosities for even more science fun!


Recycled Bug Board Game Workshop | Free | Friday 7th August
A DIY board game placed on some grass. The tiles are white and green styled after a chessboard, with bottle tops acting as pieces, painted to look like ladybirds.

Our recycling workshops are always popular, and this time we’ll be reusing old bottle tops to make a fun board game for you to play again and again! A great way to get creative while saving plastic from landfill.


Kite Making Workshop | Free | Wednesday 12th August

Join Infinite Arts for a fun, family-friendly kite-making workshop inspired by the magnificent Red Kites that soar above the Derwent Valley. Create a simple kite with your young people and discover more about these iconic birds of prey.


We have lots more events coming up, and new ones are added all the time! If you’d like to keep up with what we’re doing, visit our events page.

Have a great summer!

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