Don’t stay indoors this autumn – get your boots on and brave the weather – you will be in for a surprise!



Two of the most popular family friendly days out are coming together for one great family giveaway!

The Atkinson and Knowsley Safari Park are giving you the chance to get up close and personal with the animals this September! With 4 family passes round the 5 mile park drive and a 4 FREE family ticket to see The Girl and the Giraffe at The Atkinson.

To celebrate Half Moon’s uplifting show about the special friendship between A Girl and a Giraffe coming to The Atkinson and Knowsley Safari Park opening its doors this winter every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, you can win a family ticket to the theatre and a car pass to the Safari Park.

All you have to do tell us whether the following statement is true or false: Giraffes give birth standing up.

Answers to be sent to The Atkinson’s Facebook page, tagging in #thegirlandthegiraffe #knowsleysafaripark – deadline for entries Friday 1 September 4pm.

About A Girl and a Giraffe

One day whilst a young girl is playing in her garden, she spots something peculiar on the other side of the fence. Climbing up as high as she can to get a better view, she is surprised when she comes face to face with… Giraffe!

As their friendship grows, the girl discovers that Giraffe isn’t very well. She tries everything she can to make him feel a bit better; putting on bandages, making a cup of tea, and even baking a truly magnificent cake, but she doesn’t get it quite right. She soon realises that Giraffe doesn’t need a plaster for a graze on his arm or a scratch on his knee. Giraffe is sad. Sometimes we need a different kind of plaster for the things you can’t always see.

Charming puppetry, an enchanting soundscape and beautiful storytelling combine in this sensitive show about wellbeing and friendship, told from a child’s perspective. For ages 3-6 years.

A Girl and the Giraffe takes place on Saturday 9 September at 1pm and 3pm. Tickets are £8 (£6 children, £24 family).

Just because the weather changes doesn’t mean you cannot see the animals at Knowsley Safari Park and there is FREE entry to the foot safari, a pedestrian area where you can see elephants, meerkats, sea lions, birds of prey and latest arrivals bush dogs. There is also a selection of rides open (check opening times here) for young thrill-seekers.

When you visit The Atkinson, don’t forget to visit the Why Look at Animals? exhibition that looks at our relationship with animals and how much it has changed since we moved into towns and cities. John Berger argued in his 1977 essay Why Look At Animals?, that humanity has lost its contact with nature and we now tend to think of animals only within 3 categories Zoo creatures, pets or a food source.

Arty Aprons are available throughout the summer and every Saturday for families to use to explore the exhibitions and they are FREE!

For more information on this wild competition or to join the mailing list please visit to find out more about what The Atkinson has to offer visit theatkinson.co.uk

For more information about Knowsley Safari Park’s winter opening hours visit Knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk