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This half term the ±«Óãtv Hands on History team are challenging families to unravel the mystery surrounding the creation of Stonehenge with a new whistle-stop tour across the UK.

From Monday 21 February to Friday 25 February families can step into the ancient world with our Stonehenge experience at shopping centres around the country (Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Swindon, Derby and Gateshead).

This unique event will include a variety of fascinating ancient activities including an interactive mini-drama, where the Hands on History "archaeologists" will take audiences through the challenges of constructing Stonehenge using only the apparatus that would have been available over 4000 years ago. There will also be a near life-size inflatable section of the prehistoric monument standing at over four metres tall.

Nina Bell, ±«Óãtv Learning Hands on History Campaign Executive, says: "From children to parents and grandparents, the Hands on History Stonehenge tour will bring the ancient world to life for all the family. Our aim is to get families excited and inspire them to learn more about history by making it as engaging and relevant as possible."

As well as the dramatisations, families will also be able to find out about ancient sites to visit nearby and can get hands on with the historical artefacts, on loan from the Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, including arrow heads and ancient tools.

Families can continue their history experience online by visiting the , where they can watch a new animation with the campaign character Eric embarking on an ancient adventure, order a free pull out timeline for kids and find out about more events and activities near them.

The tour accompanies the new ±«Óãtv Two series A History Of Ancient Britain. This factual series sees Neil Oliver embark on the story of how today's Britain and its people came to be, forged over thousands of years of ancient history.

This leg of the tour is one of five taking place around the country giving people the chance to learn more about ancient history in an entertaining and innovative event. The tour is free to attend, suitable for all ages and there is no need to book in advance.

Notes to Editors

Roadshow dates and locations:

The roadshow will visit shopping centres in five locations and will be open from 11am to 4pm:

Monday 21 Feb: Queens Arcade, Cardiff
Tuesday 22 Feb: thecentre:mk, Milton Keynes
Wednesday 23 Feb: Swindon Designer Outlet
Thursday 24 Feb: Derby Westfield
Friday 25 Feb: Metrocentre, Gateshead

What is Hands on History?
Hands on History is a two year history campaign from ±«Óãtv Learning which aims to get all the family hands on with history out and about and back at home. It supports a range of ±«Óãtv TV programmes and brings history to life through family activity packs, events and details of historic sites to visit across the UK and is suitable for all the family.

About ±«Óãtv Learning
±«Óãtv Learning plays a central part in meeting the ±«Óãtv's purpose of promoting education and learning. Utilising the power of the ±«Óãtv’s big brands and key talent, the department puts learning right at the heart of the ±«Óãtv and provides a variety of resources and learning opportunities for children, teachers, parents and adult learners. Working with partners and in local communities, ±«Óãtv Learning aims to stimulate interests and encourage engagement through a variety of campaigns across all ±«Óãtv genres and platforms.

ED2