40 spectacular days of summer in Leicester and Leicestershire

Schools out for summer! If you're thinking of ways to prise the kids away from their PlayStations and Wiis during the six-week summer break, here's another helping hand from Leicester Shire Promotions. We've put together a guide of 40 days out ideas in Leicester and Leicestershire that are sure to entertain, educate and inspire the whole family, including all you big kids out there.

The 40 days of summer guide can be found at www.goleicestershire.com/40daysofsummer . For daily ideas and inspiration, follow us on Twitter @loveleics and Facebook at www.facebook.com/go.leicestershire.

Kick off your journey of summer fun at the award-winning National Space Centre in Leicester - Britain's largest attraction dedicated to space discovery. There's 250 out-of-this-world exhibitions, as well as the opportunity for some real astronaut training in the human spaceflight 2025, the UK's most thrilling space simulator. This summer sees the opening of the Space Centre's eagerly-awaited Space Race exhibition - a brand new interactive showcase within the iconic Rocket Tower, telling the story the world's epic race to space.

Back on earth, let the kids' imaginations run riot at Snibston museum. The former colliery site offers 90 indoor and outdoor exhibits including a diesel hauled locomotive and interactive discovery zones. How about a mini beast safari whilst you're there? The kids will love Snibston's Pond Dipping and Mini Beast Hunting session on Saturday 14 August.

Or, dust off those cobwebs with some real outdoor adventure at the stunning National Forest in Leicestershire. Visit Conkers and enjoy 120-acres of true British woodland, four discovery zones, a huge tree-top canopy walk and several lakeside, sculpture and nature trails. Don't miss The National Forest Wood Fair on Monday 30 August - a fascinating celebration of trees and forests and wood. Look out for the amazing performing lumberjacks and wood craft creations.

For a history lesson with a difference, take the kids on a dramatic journey through Medieval England at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park where they'll get to witness the horrors of medieval surgery, test their skills as a battlefield archaeologist with metal detecting and even prepare for battle at the spectacular 525th anniversary battle re-enactment weekend on 21-22 August.

About Leicester Shire Promotions:
Leicester Shire Promotions is a private, not-for-profit company formed in July 2003 as a partnership between Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and East Midlands Development Agency. The company is the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) responsible for promoting Leicester and Leicestershire to visitors, based on a coordinated place marketing strategy that focuses on destination leadership and coordination, attracting and visitors, services for and visitors, and services for the tourism industry. For more information, please visit www.goleicestershire.com or follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/l_p_l

For further media information, please contact:
Nimisha Mehta
Leicester Shire Promotions
T: 0116 225 4063
nimisha.mehta@l-p-l.com