Manx National Heritage is running a series of events aimed at children and families at its sites to coincide with the autumn half term.

Cregneash begins the week hosting the annual Traditional Hop Tu Naa celebrations on Saturday 31st October with live music, turnip (‘moot’) lantern carving, song and dance and sessions that explore recipes and herbs used in the past. Every child receives a free turnip to carve, subject to availability, event admission charges apply.

The House of Manannan hosts ‘The BIG Draw’ from 2nd to 5th November, a daily half term workshop for over eight’s run by local illustrator Quinn Shipton, who will teach children how to draw a story. The activity is part of a national campaign to encourage people to draw.

The workshop will use the current ‘Dusty Sees It Through’ exhibition of local cartoonist Dusty Miller’s work for inspiration to create characters, landscapes and storyboards with each one being bound into a story book at the end. The workshops are free to attend but please reserve your place by calling 648090.

During weekdays 2nd to 6th November The Grove in Ramsey hosts some good old fashioned family fun with a series of Victorian Parlour Games including word games, croquet and other pastimes daily 10am – 4pm, while Cregneash will be holding daily autumn activities including a nature ‘welly walk’, weather permitting, as well as turnip ten-pin bowling, autumn crafts and storytelling from 12pm – 4pm. Standard admission charges apply, ACE cardholders free.

All Isle of Man school children are eligible for the ‘ACE’ card, supported by Lloyds Bank, which entitles them to free admission to Manx National Heritage sites including selected half-term events, children under 5 also receive free entry.

Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult who can either purchase a day ticket or an annual Season Pass, granting free admission to all MNH sites for a full year from first use for ?20. Seasonal sites are open until 1st November with the exception of The Grove and Cregneash which open for the remainder of half term until 8th November. The House of Manannan and the Manx Museum are open all year 10am – 5pm (Manx Museum closed on Sundays).

For more information and Season Passes go to www.manxnationalheritage.im.  Season Passes can be purchased on the day from the retail outlets at the Manx National Heritage sites or online.