Bored of boutique hotels? Looking for a night away with a difference this March? Why not try one of these adult sleepovers?
Great Tower Sleepover at Dover Castle
Illuminated view of Dover Castle, Kent (picture courtesy of English Heritage photo library)
When: 5th March 2014, 6pm – 8am
Where: Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, Kent CT16 1HU
£: To stay over in the Servants Quarters costs £90pp, the Guest Chamber costs £110pp and the Kings Chamber costs £540 for up to four people. For English Heritage members the Servants Quarters costs £80pp, the Guest Chamber costs £100pp and the Kings Chamber £500 for up to four people.
What is it?
Live like royalty as you bed down for the night in King Henry II’s medieval Great Tower, dating back to the 1180s. Enjoy a hearty supper before exploring the cavernous keep.
The ticket price includes entry to event, plus entry to the Great Tower and tunnels.
Dover Castle is a great medieval fortress created by King Henry II and his Plantagenet successors. At its heart is the mighty keep or Great Tower which stands 83 feet (25.3m) high and just under 100 feet (30m) square, with walls up to 21 feet (6.5m) thick. This is the grandest and among the last of the keeps raised by the kings of England during the 11th and 12th centuries. For over 200 years the Castle’s tunnels have provided shelter, safety and secrecy to those defending our shores. Explore the Secret Wartime Tunnels and find out more about its history.
More info: www.english-heritage.org.uk
Dino Snores at the Natural History Museum
Dippy the Diplodocus lit up © Natural History Museum
When: 14th March 2014, 7pm – 9.30am
Where: Central Hall, Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD
£: Tickets cost £175 and £160 for NHM members
What is it?
Arrive at the Central Hall from 7.30pm and set up your camp under the iconic Diplodocus skeleton, Dippy. The night itself kicks off at 8.30pm with a three-course dinner, followed by a host of activities throughout the Museum including an all-night monster movie marathon, showing the best cinematic examples of nature gone wild.
Explore the exhibitions including Britain: One Million Years and the galleries including Birds, Fossil Marine Reptiles, Creepy Crawlies, Treasures, Dinosaurs, Mammals and the Whale Hall by night. Enjoy a science show featuring gruesome forensics and the sex lives of insects or have an unusual midnight feast with edible insect tasting.
There will also be stand-up comedy, live music, a dinosaur drawing class in the Darwin Centre, and a quiz at dinner with prizes. Throughout the night there will be cash bars serving a selection of wines, beers and soft drinks. To round off the experience you will receive a full hot breakfast in the morning.
More info: www.nhm.ac.uk