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LinkedinPumpkin pickers, ready? Costumes dusted off and wellies by the door? October brings plenty of opportunities for family fun, from pumpkin patches and autumn trails to creepy creatures, spooky stories and Halloween adventures.
Thames Valley
There’s plenty happening across Berkshire and the surrounding Thames Valley this October.
At Beale Wildlife Park, near Pangbourne, families can combine pumpkin picking with a day out among more than 160 species of birds and animals, including an arctic fox and two-toed sloth. bealepark.org.uk
At Basildon Park, follow the Bunnies of Hoppity Hill on We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt, a family trail inspired by the bestselling children’s books, running from 24 October to 8 November.
Wellington Country Park gets into the Halloween spirit with Hallo’Welly’ween, featuring circus fun, recycled crafts, exciting animal encounters, spooky train rides and pumpkin painting. wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk
Over at Dinton Pastures Country Park, Halloween fun includes a family day on 25 October with crafts, rides and a costume competition, followed by Dinton After Dark on 31 October, with a spooky lakeside trail. On 1 November, Hollywood Under the Stars offers lasers and music for a firework-style evening without the bangs. wokinghamcountryside.co.uk
For LEGO-loving little monsters, LEGOLAND Windsor Resort is hosting Brick or Treat, with spooky LEGO models, Halloween entertainment and LEGO Monsters. legoland.co.uk
There’s also a touch of history at Windsor Castle, where children can explore a 1216 siege-themed trail and art activities during half term. rct.uk
At Ascot Racecourse, the Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday combines jumps racing with fairground rides, live Halloween-themed entertainment and more than 20,000 fireworks. ascot.com
Buckinghamshire & the Chilterns
October is pumpkin season at Peterley Manor Farm, Prestwood, which grows around 15,000 pumpkins each year. Its pick-your-own patch is open weekends throughout October and daily during half term, 27–31 October. There are also Little Farmers sessions and pumpkin tealight painting. peterleymanorfarm.co.uk
At The Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre, Great Missenden, an after-dark event on 29 October features glow juggling, Miss Trunchbull, crafts by candlelight, spooky mask-making and more. Half-term activities also include storytelling, trails and guided walks. roalddahlmuseum.org
The Walled Garden at West Wycombe hosts Pumpkin-Fest from 17–31 October, while the Pop-up Pumpkin Patch at Stokenchurch returns from 23–31 October with a scavenger hunt, maize maze and tractor rides.
At Hughenden, discover local myths, legends and magical creatures on the Creepy Chilterns trail, alongside The Great Big Halloween Hunt for younger children and the app-based Stranger Folk adventure for ages seven and over. nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden
Autumn is also a lovely time to explore Chiltern Open Air Museum at Chalfont St Giles. Alongside its historic buildings, working farm and traditional crafts, October events include Wild About Wool, a Diwali celebration, natural dyeing, Terrific Tuesday and a Halloween Spectacular. coam.org.uk
Something unusual is afoot at Stowe Gardens, where the Zombies of Lamport trail runs from 9 October to 1 November, with a Zombie Tiny Tots Trail too.
And at Cliveden, Taplow, children aged 7–11 can download the Stranger Folk app and embark on an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore. nationaltrust.org.uk
Hampshire
There’s much more than things that go bump in the night to stir the senses this half term in Hampshire.
At Hinton Ampner, more than 500 pumpkins will bring a splash of orange to the grounds, alongside Halloween family fun. At The Vyne, children can join Who’s In Your Book? and help return monsters and friends home, while 7–12-year-olds can take part in a Stranger Folk digital adventure.
The popular Rogate Pumpkin Patch returns for pumpkin picking, alongside the one-day Pumpkin Smash — a sustainability-focused event helping support the land and animals for future harvests. rogatepumpkinpatch.com
Gilbert White’s House & Gardens in Selborne is a beautiful autumn destination, with colourful woodland surrounding its historic house and gardens. gilbertwhiteshouse.org.uk
For something more dramatic, hop aboard The Watercress Line at Alresford for Witches of Watercress Woods. Become part of the Hansel and Gretel story and help protect the train from the witches. watercressline.co.uk
At The Curtis Museum in Alton, take part in a Medieval Monster Hunt, searching for dragons, goblins and other legendary creatures hidden around the museum. hampshireculture.org.uk
Meanwhile, The Shed in Bordon has a packed programme of free family-friendly activities throughout the month, including live music, Punch & Judy, magic, karaoke and its monthly dog walk. theshedwb.com
Surrey
Surrey has plenty of spooky trails and autumn adventures to discover.
At Claremont Landscape Garden, join two greedy squirrels on a family trail inspired by The Squirrels Who Squabbled. Polesden Lacey takes families into the world of the Moomins, while Hatchlands Park hosts a Ghost Hunt family trail. At Winkworth Arboretum, children can embark on the Stranger Folk digital adventure.
For something a little different, join a free spooky guided Halloween walk at Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl.
Travel back 1,000 years at West Horsley Place for a Saxon Saga, with historic food tastings, crafts and re-enactment storytelling. westhorsleyplace.org
At Brooklands Museum, TransportFest brings together buses, coaches, taxis and other historic vehicles, with a heritage bus trip on 18 October. brooklandsmuseum.com
Watts Gallery in Guildford gets a spooky makeover, with woodland witches, mischievous monsters, hidden creatures and a potion station. wattsgallery.org.uk
For grown-ups, the Surrey Hills Fire & Food Fair at Hogs Back Brewery, Tongham, on 17–18 October combines live fire cooking, food, local brews and cosy fire pits. surreyhills.org
There are also Halloween chills at Hampton Court Palace, where ghost hunters can explore its famously haunted corridors and courtyards.
At RHS Garden Wisley, discover the secrets and magical powers of plants at Spooky Plants, while Bocketts Farm in Fetcham hosts Wizards and Witches Week, with science and slime shows, a reptile roadshow, spooky trails and creepy crafts. bockettsfarm.co.uk
Wiltshire
There’s plenty to explore in Wiltshire this autumn.
At Bowood House & Gardens, Calne, half-term brings a pumpkin trail, falconry displays and spooky arts and crafts from 22 October to 1 November. bowood.org
4 Kingdoms is getting into the Halloween spirit with pumpkin picking during half term and selected Dinos in the Dark evenings, featuring a spooky jeep adventure and lantern-lit maize maze. 4-kingdoms.co.uk
At Welford Park, Spectacle of Light returns with a magical Alice in Wonderland-inspired trail, new light installations, the Queen of Hearts and seasonal food and drink. welfordpark.co.uk
Wasing Estate is also embracing the season with its Pumpkins & Woodland Trail on selected dates from 16–31 October. Little ones can spot woodland creatures, visit a Witch’s Apothecary, make a wish at the wishing well and pick a pumpkin from the patch. wasing.co.uk
For older visitors, Lydiard Park Hotel hosts a Halloween Murder Mystery on 31 October, with dinner and paranormal intrigue. This event is strictly 18+.
And for more local ghost stories, Weird Wiltshire explores tales including a spectral coach and horses in Savernake Forest, phantom riders and black dogs. weird-wiltshire.co.uk
Oxfordshire
October brings plenty of family activities to Oxfordshire, too.
The Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair takes place 23–25 October at its new venue, St Helen and St Katharine School. More than 65 craftworkers will be showcasing their work, with live demonstrations and have-a-go sessions. abingdoncraftfair.org.uk
At the Ashmolean Museum, The Making of a Goddess opens on 8 October, exploring Aphrodite through archaeology, sculpture, painting, contemporary art and fashion. ashmolean.org
Abingdon County Hall Museum offers a chance to discover the history of the town and surrounding villages, while the Sessions Gallery hosts Wildlife – Abingdon in a Changing Climate, exploring how changing climate is affecting local nature and landscapes.
At Wantage Baptist Church, the annual free Light Party takes place on 31 October, with games, food and activities for primary-aged children. wantagebaptist.org.uk
At Cogges Manor Farm, Witney, the manor house transforms into Dracula’s Castle from 24 October, with a kids’ Halloween disco, spooky crafts and a bouncy castle. cogges.org.uk
Over at Greys Court, near Henley, become an Autumn Colour Detective from 24 October to 1 November, hunting for colours and patterns around the house and gardens.
For outdoor adventure, Hill End in Cumnor hosts Wild Days for ages 7–12 on 26–27 October, followed by Woodland Spooktacular Family Days on 28–29 October, with flying displays and outdoor activities. hill-end.org
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