WYCOMBE SWAN
Wycombe Swan is out of this world this half-term, when Sooty In Space arrives in High Wycombe this week. Youngsters can join Sooty as he journeys to Mars to discover if there really is life out there. They will also be treated to a tour around his space station, see the launch of the magic rocket, and get to meet Harry the robot and the three-legged martians.

Starring alongside Sooty is Richard Cadell, Matthew Corbett’s successor and television presenter of The Sooty Show since 1998.

Younger theatregoers can also enjoy the four-day run of Honk!, this year’s production from the Wycombe Swan Youth Theatre. Based on Hans Christian Andersen’s The Ugly Duckling, the award-winning musical, penned by Anthony Drewe and George Stiles, features an ugly duckling who sets out on a quest to find his inner beauty.

The heart-warming story also features tearful mother Ida, a drake who “ducks” his fatherly responsibilities, a gaggle of comical geese, a sly French tomcat, a wisecracking bullfrog and a great many other “fowl” puns.

Sooty in Space arrives on Thursday, February 19, 2.30pm; and Honk! runs from Thursday, February 19 to Sunday, February 22 at Wycombe Swan. Performance times vary. Tickets: 01494 512000 or www.wycombeswan.co.uk

ROALD DAHL MUSEUM
THERE’S oodles of scumdillyumptious fun for youngsters at The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre over half-term week. Expert Petra Barran will be on hand on Monday, February 16, 2.30pm to 4pm, with a special workshop, All About Chocolate, where you can learn about the differences in taste, texture, look and smell of different varieties of chocolate.

Then on Saturday, February 21, youngsters can listen to crocodile-themed extracts from Roald Dahl’s books and make their own moving crocodile to take home.

The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre, High Street, Great Missenden. Details: 01494 892192 or www.roalddahlmuseum.org

THE ENVIRONMENT CENTRE
GET back to nature at The Environment Centre in High Wycombe, which is running a host of workshops during half-term.

Youngsters can learn all about hibernation tomorrow (Saturday), 12.30pm to 3.30pm, with Wake Up World!, an arts and craft session based on the theme of animals and plants that hibernate over the winter. There’s also an opportunity to come up with some nature-inspired Valentine’s Day creations.

Other workshops on offer include Good Bugs, Bad Bugs, on Saturday, February 21, from 12.30pm to 3.30pm, where youngsters can learn all about garden friends and foes.

The Environment Centre, Bassetsbury Lane, High Wycombe. Details: 01494 511585 or www.ecobuzz.org.uk

NORDEN FARM CENTRE FOR THE ARTS
YOUNG theatregoers are in for a treat when two fairytales are brought to life at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts in Maidenhead, next week.

The Frog Princess, presented by Wild Wood Theatre, combines puppetry, projected animation and live music to tell the story of young Ivan, whose world is turned upside down when he is forced to marry a frog. But one night he discovers that his frog fiancée is actually a beautiful princess cursed by a terrible spell. Will he succeed in saving her?

Puppets also feature in Theatre of Widdershins’ production of the classic Brothers Grimm tale, Rapunzel, about a beautiful young woman trapped inside a tower by an enchantress who uses her long hair as a stepladder. But will a dashing prince ever come to her rescue?

The Frog Princess arrives on Tuesday, February 17 and Wednesday, February 18, 11am and 3pm; and Rapunzel and the Tower of Doom takes place on Thursday, February 19 and Friday, February 20, 11am and 3pm, at Norden Farm Centre for the Arts, Altwood Road, Maidenhead. Tickets: 01628 788997 or online at www.nordenfarm.org

BLENHEIM PALACE
HISTORY and Hollywood come together at Blenheim Palace this week: the sumptuous stately home will host a special exhibition to mark the release of The Young Victoria, which chronicles Victoria’s rise to power and her legendary romance and marriage to Prince Albert.

Blenheim Palace was one of the key locations for filming and was used to represent the grand exterior of Buckingham Palace and the Royal Palace of Laeken in Belgium.

Young and old can enjoy seeing the stunning costumes, as worn by actress Emily Blunt, as well as props and movie stills. Free entry for children under five.

Visit bucksfreepress.co.uk for the full story and interviews with the film crew The Young Victoria Special Exhibition opens on Saturday, February 14, and runs until Tuesday, March 31. Details: 08700 60 20 80 or visit www.blenheimpalace.com

HUGHENDEN MANOR
PULL on your wellies and enjoy a guided nature walk at Hughenden Manor this half-term. Suitable for all the family, the series of six walks will take you through the woods, fields and footpaths of the Hughenden Estate, and there’s plenty to learn about nature along the way.

Don’t forget to bring waterproofs, wellies or walking books, snacks and a flask of tea of coffee.

Wellie Walks take place on Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19, from 10.30am to noon, at Hughenden Manor. Details: 01494 755573 or www.nationaltrust.org.uk

WYCOMBE MUSEUM AND BUCKS COUNTY MUSEUM
YOUNGSTERS interested in history can enjoy a display of buried treasures at Wycombe Museum. Discovered by metal detectors, the Lost and Found exhibition includes jewellery, coins and other metal objects found around Buckinghamshire.

There’s also still time to catch the interactive Victorians exhibition at the Bucks County Museum.

Lost and Found runs until Monday, April 20 at Wycombe Museum, Priory Avenue. Details: 01494 421895.

Victorians is on show until Saturday, March 7 at Bucks County Museum, Church Street, Aylesbury. Details: 01296 331441.