Chester Cathedral and Grosvenor Museum partner to offer engaging family friendly experiences throughout February half term

Families looking for enriching activities this half term can enjoy a wealth of free events and exhibitions across Chester city centre, thanks to a collaboration between Chester Cathedral and Grosvenor Museum.

The highlight of the week is a special Museum Pop-Up in Storyhouse Kitchen on Wednesday 18th February (11am-3pm), where children can become archaeologists and space explorers for the day.

This free drop-in event features a hands-on archaeology dig experience where young explorers can uncover treasures from the past, with real artefacts to examine and a museum curator on hand to answer questions, and families can pick up a free Chester Adventure Scavenger Hunt to explore the city and win prizes. Space-themed craft activities will also be available, where children can create their own rocket or star wands to take to the Cathedral and fly to the moon!

Visitors can also experience Luke Jerram’s spectacular Museum of the Moon installation at Chester Cathedral, running until 15th March. The stunning 6-metre diameter spherical sculpture features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface at a scale of 1:500,000, where each centimetre represents 5km of the moon’s surface. The internally lit installation creates an awe-inspiring atmosphere within the Cathedral. A full programme of moon-themed events is available at chestercathedral.com/moon which includes even more free, family activities. Drop in on Tuesday 17th and Thursday 19th February (11am – 1pm and 2pm-4pm) for more space themed family craft activities underneath the moon.

Families are invited to take part in the Moon Explorers Trail, a city-wide treasure hunt challenging participants to find all 12 moons hidden across Chester. Those who complete the trail will be entered into a prize draw to win a family ticket to Picturehouse, while discovering different corners of the historic city.

At Grosvenor Museum, two fascinating new exhibitions open on 14th February. Chester Amphitheatre: An 8000 Year Story explores Britain’s largest Roman amphitheatre, revealing what existed on the site before the Romans arrived through displays from the major 2004-2006 excavations by English Heritage and Chester City Council, and examining the centuries after the Romans departed.

The companion exhibition, The Amphitheatre Owl – A 16th Century Curiosity, showcases an intriguing historical artefact with its own remarkable story alongside some amazing owls loaned from the national collections at the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.

Both exhibitions run until 12th July 2026 and offer free admission. Families can also collect the free Chester Adventure Scavenger Hunt from Grosvenor Museum, a self-guided trail that takes explorers through fascinating corners of Chester, with everyone who completes it receiving a prize when they return it to the Museum.

“We’re delighted to partner with Chester Cathedral to offer families such a diverse range of free activities this half term,” said a Elizabeth Montgomery from Grosvenor Museum. “From hands-on archaeology to space exploration and Roman history, there’s something to spark every child’s curiosity about Chester’s incredible heritage.”

Monica Escobedo from Chester Cathedral added: “The Museum of the Moon creates a magical experience for visitors of all ages. Combined with these engaging activities across the city, we’re offering families wonderful opportunities to learn, explore and create memories together.”