Important Information About Your Holiday
We have been running our StayPlayExplore/Perfect Break short breaks for sixteen years, have welcomed thousands of visitors to our destinations and helped many of you when you've needed extra assistance.
You can rest assured that you can book your break with us in absolute confidence and that we are making every effort to help you enjoy a great holiday.
If you do need any additional information, reassurance or want to check your booking then please get in touch with us by email help@stayplayexplore.com and we will do our very best to help. We are unable to handle enquires by phone and please respect that things may take a little longer outside usual office hours.
Over the last few years our attractions and hotels have made changes to maximise your experience and keep everyone safe.
Many of our attractions are continuing to require advanced bookings and visits should usually be pre-booked. Details on how to do this are listed below for each attraction/experience. However these guidelines may change at short notice and we would advise you to double check directly with your preferred venues in advance before you book. Each ticket can only be used ONCE at each attraction/experience. Once you use your ticket to book a visit, your ticket will be redeemed and cannot be cancelled and reused elsewhere.
Our Hotels
Our hotels have also made some changes including timed/time limited swim sessions, prebooking for dinner and occasional changes in breakfast service. Whilst cleaning regimes have all been significantly increased, your room may not be serviced during the course of a stay of more than 1 night, this is to reduce unnecessary contact. Please check the individual hotel websites for more details and give them a call with any specific questions.
Please be aware that changes may be made at short notice due to circumstances out of our control.
Many properties are finding on-going operational challenges, but everyone is doing their best to ensure customers have a great stay.
We are all trying our very best to ensure you can enjoy a break and we thank you for your understanding and cooperation. If you do have any concerns or problems, you must address these with the hotel as soon as they arise and give them the chance to rectify. The small team at StayPlayExplore/The Perfect Break are not based in the hotels and therefore not able to resolve operational problems, especially outside of office hours. Please be reasonable and treat staff with courtesy and respect.
Our attractions
Please check opening times before travelling to your chosen attractions/experiences, particularly during winter months. Some venues can stay closed or with restricted hours at late notice due to weather conditions.
StayPlayExplore Coventry
PLEASE REMEMBER TO TAKE PRINTED COPIES OF YOUR TICKETS TO ALL ATTRACTIONS
Admission for 2 children between the ages of 5 and 16 years.
There must be a ratio of 1 adult to 2 children during your visit to Ballroom Climbing Wall. A £3 registration fee per child is payable upon arrival and a registration form must be completed for each child. Adults can take part in activities but must be booked in and paid for prior to arrival.
To book your visit call 0790 4317487 giving as much notice as possible.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission to museum.
Open every day of the year except 24 – 26 December and 1 January. Monday – Sunday (including bank holidays) are 10.00am – 5.00pm (last admission 3pm). No need to pre-book.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family foot golf session.
No need to pre-book but you are advised to call ahead to check the course isn't booked out or that the site isn't waterlogged – 0247 697 7770.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission to museum.
No need to pre-book.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission.
Open Monday to Sunday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (last entry 3.00pm).
No need to pre-book but you must take your StayPlayExplore ticket to gain entry.
Admission for a 2 hour session for a family of four.
StayPlayExplore customers can use their voucher for the last available session on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays (between 4pm and 6pm) during school term-time and last available session of the day, on any day during school holidays. Must be pre-booked via email to wavereception@cvlife.co.uk.
Tickets are subject to availability, pre-book your tickets as early as possible to avoid any disappointment. We recommend emailing The Wave 7 days prior to your visit.
Your StayPlayExplore ticket number will secure your visit which cannot be changed and your ticket will be redeemed at the point of email booking. Take your paper ticket with you to gain entry.
StayPlayExplore Leicestershire
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
Family entry to Heritage Centre.
Choose whether to book a time slot online, or call the Heritage Centre with your ticket number to book your time slot, 01455 290429. Alternatively, just turn up and present your ticket at the Heritage Centre.
StayPlayExplore tickets not valid during the Medieval Festival that takes place in August each year.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Conkers/Hi-Lo Ropes at Conkers
Family admission ticket for Conkers. In return for an additional StayPlayExplore family ticket 2 children can experience the Hi-Lo Ropes at Conkers (see T&Cs for age and height restrictions).
Email info@visitconkers.com at least 48 hours before you wish to visit stating that you are a StayPlayExplore customer, your ticket number (or 2 if you wish to include hi/lo ropes) and the date when you wish to visit. A member of the customer services team will confirm your booking.
Opening days and times vary throughout the year. Open throughout the week during the summer and school holidays, open Wednesday to Sunday during spring and autumn and weekends only during winter months. Check the Conkers website for full details. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
StayPlayExplore tickets are not valid during the Winter Wonderland festival.
Hi-Lo Ropes closes for the winter. Re-opens February half term.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Family admission ticket.
The Visitor Centre is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Book your visit in advance by calling 0116 454 4315 during office hours.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre
A group activity, which may be with other members of the public, chosen from our Adventure Club programme. Adventure Club runs a range of activities on weekdays, evenings and weekends, with up to 12 spaces available on each one. Please be aware that not all activities are available all the time and time slots are limited. See website for up to date list of activities. See our website for details: https://lopc.co.uk/individuals-families-clubs/
Advanced booking is essential – call 0116 2681426.
All participants must have a consent form, signed by themselves or their legal parent/guardian if under 18. There are age restrictions and some child/adult ratios which need to be adhered to, as stated on the webpage link above.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family entry into Stonehurst Farm and Museum.
Open Tuesdays to Sundays 9.30am - 5pm. No need to pre-book but you can send an email to oink@stonehurstfarm.co.uk and provide a date and time when you are arriving.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission for ½ hour sno-tubing and 2 toboggan rides per person.
For the toboggan, children between 4-7 years must be accompanied by an adult (aged 16+) and children aged 8 and over must ride on their own. No under 4s allowed.
Visitors should pre-book by calling advance, please give as much notice as possible 01283 890089. Opening times are limited and vary throughout the year so please see the website for details.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission ticket. Children who are under the age of 3 but over 95 cm will be charged at the attraction.
Opening times vary throughout the year. During the winter months opening days are reduced. Closed during January and until mid-February. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays during March and several other months of the year. Check Twinlakes website for full details and to book online using the button for 'Complimentary or Stay Play Explore reservation'.
You will not be admitted to the Park unless you bring both this reservation AND your printed prepaid StayPlayExplore ticket. YOU MUST HAND IN A PRINTED COPY OF YOUR TICKET.
Your family voucher cannot be used on UK Escape Games, special dining packages including but not limited to Breakfast with Santa and Party in the Park with Santa, and some other special event days.
Family admission ticket.
The zoo is closed on Christmas Day. This ticket cannot be used towards upgrade to annual membership scheme or in conjunction with any other promotion or special offer.
To book:
Send an email to the zoo at least 48 hours before you wish to visit to info@twycrosszoo.org. State the date you wish to visit quoting your StayPlayExplore ticket number. You'll be contacted to confirm your booking.
If you are booking within 24 hours of your visit go to the Twycross Zoo website and click 'Book now; choose 'Daily Tickets' and then 'Pre-paid tickets' and then click on 'Gift/Comp Admission'; add the number of people in your family, choose the date you wish to visit and click 'checkout'. Follow the process to add your contact details. Tickets will be emailed to you.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission ticket. Children who are under the age of 3 but over 95 cm will be charged at the attraction.
Available throughout the year during opening times but excludes special event days.
Closed on Tuesdays in several months of the year so check website for full details of opening times.
Book in advance by visiting their website www.wheelgatepark.com and click 'buy tickets online'. On the day tickets page, choose the 'Stay Play Explore Reservation' button to book your slot.
You will not be admitted to the Park unless you bring both this reservation AND your printed prepaid StayPlayExplore ticket. YOU MUST HAND IN A PRINTED COPY OF YOUR TICKET.
Your family voucher cannot be used on UK Escape Games, special dining packages including but not limited to Breakfast with Santa and Party in the Park with Santa, and some other special event days.
Family admission ticket. Pre-booking essential. Call 0116 319 1360 and give your StayPlayExplore ticket number over the phone. StayPlayExplore tickets are not valid on special event days unless you wish to make an additional payment to the venue at the time of booking (subject to availability). Check venue's website for dates and details of special event before booking.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
StayPlayExplore Warwickshire
Family ticket for entry for boat ride.
30 min trips running regularly throughout the day. Departures are from the Bancroft gardens next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Visit the mooring for Avon Boats on Bancroft Gardens, Waterside to book a slot for later in the day (or next boat if not too busy). Open April until October half term.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you
Family ticket to the British Motor Museum
No need to pre-book.
Tickets cannot be used during special events taking place on:
- Sunday 11 June 2023
- Sunday 10 September 2023
- Saturday 28 October 2023
- Sunday 29 October 2023
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Open every day EXCEPT Mondays (other than Bank Holiday Mondays).
Pre-booking is not essential, however if you would like to book in advance, call on 01926 645500.
Tickets NOT VALID on special event days.
Fri 23 Jun – Sun 25 Jun (excluded for potfest by the lake)
Sat 23 Sep – Sun 24 Sep (excluded for the print fair)
Sat 11 Nov – Sun 12 Nov (excluded for the textile fair)
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission to Fairytale Farm.
Open every day of the year except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day – 10am to 5pm.
Book an arrival time slot online by clicking the row marked 'StayPlayExplore Ticket Holders Only' £0. You'll be sent your booking confirmation via email.
Please remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Stratford upon Avon Butterfly Farm
Family admission to the Butterfly Farm.
Open daily Monday-Sunday. Summertime 10am-6pm last entry 5.30pm. Winter Time 10am- Dusk, please check website for last entry times as they vary during autumn and winter. Closed Christmas Day. StayPlayExplore visitors must either prebook online using the ticket option for StayPlayExplore or call the farm on 01789 299288.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family admission at the MAD Museum.
Open every day, all year (except around the Christmas period).
Weekdays 10:30am – 4:30pm
Weekends & holidays 10:00am – 5:30pm
Pre-booking is NOT necessary for weekday visits outside of school holiday periods. If your dates require pre-booking send an email to tickets@themadmuseum.co.uk with your StayPlayExplore ticket number and they will send you a code to use to book online. Alternatively call reception to book over the phone: 01789 269356.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall
Family admission at Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall.
Open daily 11am to 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm. Present your StayPlayExplore ticket to the counter upon arrival.
Remember you must take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
StayPlayExplore Yorkshire
Family entry to the Castle Howard Gardens.
Pre-booking online required on the Castle Howard Gardens website. Click on 'Gardens admissions' and use the 'affiliate' option.
The Gardens are normally open daily but with restricted dates and reduced hours during the wintertime. Closed for StayPlayExplore visitors during December as the venue has special Christmas events taking place. Please check website before travelling.
Please note that the venue may be closed on certain days for filming purposes, please check on the Castle Howard website before travelling.
StayPlayExplore visitors MUST take your ticket with you to present alongside your booking confirmation.
Family ticket for sightseeing trip valid for 24 hours.
Buses run 9am - 5.30pm between February half term and October half term. Check website for any changes to timetable.
No need to prebook, simply present your StayPlayExplore ticket with you when you hop-on the bus.
Family admission ticket for any 'simply skate' session, skate hire is included.
Send an email to request a date and time slot - Helena.Kelly@sheffieldcitytrust.org
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Family entry to 3 museums.
The museums close for the winter period until half term.
No need to pre-book your visit, simply present your StayPlayExplore ticket on arrival.
Check website for opening times.
Family entry to York Bird of Prey Centre.
Open every day except Tuesday, no need to prebook.
Please note that the birds may be unable to fly due to bird flu.
Remember to take your StayPlayExplore ticket with you.
Perfect Breaks for Couples
Perfect Breaks in Coventry
All of the experiences (except museum and Guildhall) in our Perfect Break Coventry breaks should be pre-booked directly with the venues. If you experience any problems let us know help@stayplayexplore.com.
Afternoon tea for 2 people.
Open throughout the year. Opening times:
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday 9am-5pm
Pre-booking essential, see website for details.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Admission for 2 adults to museum.
Open every day of the year except 24 – 26 December and 1 January. Monday – Sunday (including bank holidays) are 10.00am – 5.00pm (last admission 3pm). No need to pre-book.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Brewery tour including brewing process for 2 adults - sample the Dhillon's core range.
Available only on Fridays at 4pm. Pre-booking essential.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
A cocktail and loaded fries for each adult.
Available Tuesday - Sunday between 5pm - 8pm
Pre-booking essential. Reserve your booth here dhillonsspirebar.com
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Cocktails and a food sharing platter per couple.
Pre-booking essential.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Each couple will receive a bottle of Prosecco on arrival, a chance to win £10 on roulette and £5 match play. Pre-booking essential. Please email sm.gc-coventry@rank.com to book your experience.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Admission for 2 adults.
Monday to Thursday, 10.00am – 4.00pm (last entry 3.00pm)
Friday to Sunday 10.00am – 4.00pm (last entry 3.00pm)
No need to pre-book but you must take your Perfect Break ticket to gain entry.
Sharing platter for 2 adults and 2 glasses of fizz. Must be pre-booked.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Twisted Barrel Ale & Tap House
Choose a selection of 6 tasters each, from a choice of at least 16 beers, all brewed on site at the home of independent creative retail, FarGo Village.
Closed Monday and Tuesday, open daily Wednesday - Sunday. Please check opening times on www.twistedbarrelale.co.uk/tap-house.
Pre-booking essential.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Perfect Breaks in Leicestershire
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
Entry for 2 adults into Heritage Centre.
Choose whether to book a time slot online, or call the Heritage Centre with your ticket number to book your time slot, 01455 290429. Alternatively, just turn up and present your ticket at the Heritage Centre.
Perfect Break tickets are not valid during the Medieval Festival that takes place in August each year.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
2 course set meal for 2 adults. Pre-booking is essential. Customer must present their ticket on arrival. Drinks not included. See website for opening times. Not available during festive period.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
King Richard III Visitor Centre
Admission for 2 adults
The Visitor Centre is open every day except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Book your visit in advance by calling 0116 454 4315 during office hours.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Afternoon tea for 2.
Pre-booking is essential. Available at any time except between 12.30pm and 2.30pm Monday to Saturday. Offer applies to classic afternoon tea for two and is not redeemable against any other items on the menu or promotions currently being ran.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
2 mechanical bikes (e-bikes excluded). Helmet hire is free. No deposit required but ID needed upon arrival. Call to book - 0116 344 0200. Excludes Bank Holiday weekends. Rutland Cycling Leicester store only.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Afternoon tea for 2 adults. Pre-booking essential.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Enjoy a two course set lunch for two people in the beautiful surroundings of Melton Mowbray.
Available Monday to Saturday served between 12 noon and 2.30pm. Pre-booking required.
Remember to take your Prefect Break ticket with you.
Perfect Break in Warwickshire
Tickets for 2 adults for boat ride.
30 min trips running regularly throughout the day. Departures are from the Bancroft gardens next to the Royal Shakespeare Theatre.
Visit the mooring for Avon Boats on Bancroft Gardens, Waterside to book a slot for later in the day (or next boat if not too busy). Open April until October half term.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Admission for 2 adults to the British Motor Museum.
No need to pre-book.
Tickets cannot be used during special events taking place on:
- Sunday 11 June 2023
- Sunday 10 September 2023
- Saturday 28 October 2023
- Sunday 29 October 2023
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Entry to venue for 2 adults.
Pre-booking is not essential, however if you would like to book in advance, call on 01926 645500.
Open every day EXCEPT Mondays (other than Bank Holiday Mondays).
Tickets NOT VALID on special event days.
Fri 23 Jun – Sun 25 Jun (excluded for potfest by the lake)
Sat 23 Sep – Sun 24 Sep (excluded for the print fair)
Sat 11 Nov – Sun 12 Nov (excluded for the textile fair)
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Tour and tasting session for 2 adults. Call to make an appointment for your tour 01789 336559 giving as much notice as possible.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall
Admission for 2 adults at Shakespeare's Schoolroom and Guildhall.
Open daily 11am to 5pm with last entry at 4.30pm. Present your Perfect Break ticket to the counter upon arrival.
Remember you must take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
Stratford upon Avon Butterfly Farm
Admission for 2 adults to the Butterfly Farm.
Open daily Monday-Sunday. Summertime 10am-6pm last entry 5.30pm. Winter Time 10am- Dusk, please check website for last entry times as they vary during autumn and winter. Closed Christmas Day. Perfect Brerak visitors must either prebook online using the ticket option for StayPlayExplore or call the farm on 01789 299288.
Remember to take your Perfect Break ticket with you.
