Pumpkins & more at the palace!

Liz Nicholls

Half term

Get ready for an unforgettable half term experience at Blenheim Palace, where families can enjoy a range of eerily exciting activities from Monday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November

From pumpkin decorating to captivating storytelling and fire performances, this October half term, Adventure Play, the Walled Garden, and the Great Court at Blenheim Palace are all being transformed into a spook-tacular sensation for all ages.

In the Walled Garden visit the Pumpkin Patch for decorating and the Wizard Walkabout with Bumblebore the Wizard. The Walled Garden will also host daily Family Circus Shows at 12.30pm and 3pm, and a Circus Workshop at 1.30pm. Amid hay bales and playful scarecrows, capture spooky memories of the enchanting experience with special photo spots.

In the Great Court witness mesmerising Fire Performances every hour from 12pm to 3pm, lighting up the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In Adventure Play, families can experience the all-new immersive Pip and Posy trail based on the delightful episode of the ‘Grumpy Pebble’, that will guide children through a series of imaginative and engaging activities. Along the way, little explorers will complete tasks and traverse the immersive play area featuring secret chambers, clamber nets, tunnels, slides, rope bridges – and giant carrots!

What’s more, for just £1 per person, hop on board a miniature train ride through the Terrifying Tunnel that will be running all day for families from 10am until 3.45pm. 

The themed activities will be available exclusively during the half-term week only and require a valid Pass or day ticket. Full details of the October half term line-up along with terms and conditions can be found on the Blenheim Palace website. 

The Palace & Play Pass is £150 for a family of four (two adults and two children) and is £50 per adult and £40 per child for individual day passes. Existing Family Annual Pass holders (two adults and two children) can upgrade to the new Palace and Play Pass for £51 and individual annual passes can be upgraded for £18 per child and £12 per adult.  

*Please note that this lineup for Haunted Half Term is a separate event to the Halloween light trail which is a ticketed event that can be experienced from dusk into darkness from Friday 25th October to – Sunday 3rd November 2024. 

For information on the spooky schedule of events and to book tickets visit, blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/haunted-half-term.html 

For further information about the Halloween light trail visit, tickets.blenheimpalace.com/shows/Show.aspx?sh=BLHALLO24  


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Half Term Horrors

Round & About

Half term

There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

Berkshire
Oxfordshire
West Berks

Berkshire

Take a breath-taking trail through light, colour and fantasy as you discover the night-time wonder of Welford Park, selected dates Oct 18th-Nov 10th. Enjoy this beautiful, illuminated trail through the majestic woodland and around the gardens all lit under the stars.

Head to Wellington Country Park this October half term, where they’re throwing the biggest and most friendly spook’tacular Hallo’welly’ween ever, and you’re all invited! From family shows, to recycled junk crafts, from pumpkin carving to the Halloween train ride, there is so much to do this October half-term.

There’s been a murder… of the wildlife kind. After a bump in the night, there’s a crime scene at Windsor Great Park. Help solve the wildlife mystery – whodunnit? Complete the detective training through the family trail, learn how to find and identify tracks and signs of animals. Oct 29th-31st. Book at Berks Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust (bbowt.org.uk) and search ‘events’.

Illuminate the Skies at Windsor when the pyrotechnics team will unleash the firework fiesta featuring a dazzling display of rockets, Catherine Wheels and fountains to incredible music. Head over to the funfair for thrilling rides and with yummy treats to keep you and yours fed and toasty you’re sure of an explosive night all round on Saturday, 2nd November.

The The LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort is once again hosting Brick or Treat – where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over and throwing a Monster Party to celebrate their favourite time of the year!​ Along with the return of the fangtastic Monster Street, there’s the thrilling Monster Jam Show, explore the Haunted House Monster Party – get ready for the most frightfully fun ride of your life! ​Enjoy amazing rides, live shows and attractions until Nov 3rd. 

Follow the October half-term trails at Basildon Park and Greys Court. Follow the map to discover the activities at each venue and collect a small prize when you have finished. Cost £2 per trail.

Join the Moon Witch at Tumblestone Hollow, Stonor and go on a Halloween Scavenger Hunt exploring the woodland that surrounds Tumblestone Hollow, ticking off spooky items and solving mystical riddles along the way.

Track down more than 30 scarecrows on the half term Binfield Scarecrow Hunt around the village with the help of a trail map.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre


Oxfordshire

If you’re looking to keep the family entertained during October half-term, look no further than The Story Museum in Oxford. With a packed programme of events and skills courses, not to mention magical gallery spaces and a fantastic new exhibition, Here Be Dragons co-curated by Cressida Cowell and Toothless, the museum is the place to be, The Story Museum.

Abingdon County Hall Museum has what’s sure to be a fun offering with the Barbie & Ken Exhibition, see the couple dressed in costume through history from 1066 to 1980. More at Abingdon County Hall Museum.

Shop beautiful gifts, watch live craft demonstrations and try your hand at ‘have a go’ sessions at Abingdon Traditional Craft Fair, Nov 1st-3rd in the ancient Abbey Buildings. More than 60 craftspeople will be displaying their work. More at Abingdon Craft Fair.

Talk to whales, hear the universe laugh, and investigate the impossible with IF Oxford, the Oxford science and ideas festival, Oct 9th to Nov 3rd. With more than 100 intriguing and interactive events and activities. IF Oxford has a whole world (and beyond) to entertain and surprise you. Details at Oxford science and ideas Festival.

High Lodge Farm’s bewitching Halloween trail and pumpkin patch is back this October half-term at the farm in Culham OX14 3BN. Follow the spooky trail, PYO Pumpkin, tuck into mallows and tasty treats and have fun on the farm. Visit High Lodge Farm.

From gremlins and goblins to witches with charm, Millets Farm invite you to their Spook-tacular Farm! With a circus full of tricks, a disco full of spooks and field full of pumpkins, there’s spookily good fun this half term.

Tiptoe through spooky rooms at The Witch’s House at Cogges Manor decorated with scenes from favourite childhood stories, and see spooktacular sights and sounds. There will be a pumpkin trail around the grounds too.

Get your hands dirty and boots muddy as you pick pumpkins and squash from the growing field at the Earth Trust, Little Wittenham. Take on the mega maze maze, visit the storytelling teepee and follow the scarecrow trail around the farm.

Blenheim Palace invites you to wander from dusk into darkness and through the spooky spider tunnel to be surprised by fantastic fire performers. Watch out for the headless horseman emerging from the mist.

Take a Spooky Tour of Oxford Castle & Prison and uncover some of the grisly stories of its inhabitants – some of whom are said to still roam the grounds. Join the resident witches and warlocks for a half-term potion-making activity.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre.


West Berks

Take a breath-taking trail through light, colour and fantasy as you discover the night-time wonder of Welford Park, selected dates Oct 18th-Nov 10th, through a wonderful spectacle of light and sound. Enjoy this beautiful, illuminated trail through the majestic woodland and around the gardens all lit under the star. Sip delicious hot chocolate and spiced cider as you meander along this beautiful trail. Take a moment by the house to tuck into scrumptious hot food.

Head to the Orchard at Avebury Manor Garden over the weekend of October 26th and 27th and join in the apple weekend celebrations. Pick up information on the apple orchard at Avebury and join in fun family activities, have a go at pressing some fresh apple juice from several native apple varieties. Why not join a family stone circle tour on Wednesdays and Sundays during school holidays to learn more about this amazing site as a family!

This autumn half-term explore the outdoors with a tracker pack at Buscot and Coleshill Estate. Pick up a rucksack with everything in it you’ll need to explore Coleshill, binoculars, magnifying glass, spotting sheets and more. Search for bugs, identify trees and see what signs of animals you can spot, then head to reception for a nature friendly prize.

Follow the enchanting decorated woodland trail in Aldermaston through Wasing Estate’s stunning autumnal woodland then head for the pumpkin patch where a fairytale pumpkin carriage awaits and where you can choose your perfect pumpkin nestled in the organic field to take home and carve. Afterwards enjoy tasty seasonal snacks and hot & cold drinks.

Join the Nature Discovery Centre, Thatcham on October 29th & 31st for a Spooky Spectacular Halloween Trail through their nature reserve. Find out about some of the amazing creatures associated with Halloween and why they are not as scary as you once thought. Pop along to The Hutch afterwards for a craft activity to take home.

Blaze and his dragon friends have decided to play hide and seek in West Berkshire Museum – help Blaze to count the tiny glow-in-the-dark dragons as well as to find his dragon friends and, the greatest treasure of all, a precious dragon egg. The family friendly event on Friday, 1st November, 5-7pm, features a free dragon hunt through a dark or dimly lit museum – please bring a torch.

No sooner will October be over and it’ll be time to start thinking about the festive season! Take a trip around Didcot Railway Centre as you hunt for Santa’s reindeer. Collect gifts to fill your stocking along the way and visit Santa and his elves in his grotto, where you can choose your gift from his own toy shop. Take unlimited train rides as you enjoy 200 years of railway history in the original Great Western Railway setting. Book at Didcot Railway Centre.


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Fun for Halloween & half term

Liz Nicholls

Half term

Halloween and half term are on the horizon. Luckily, Buckinghamshire is a county that’s (witch’s) brimful of great family-friendly fun! Here are our top picks!

From 25th October to 3rd November you can enjoy an intriguing Aesop’s Fables interactive trail at Hughenden. The same week, there’s a nature trail at Cliveden; National Trust

The Pop-up Pumpkin Patch has popped up again in Stokenchurch, HP14 3YF, for its third year, 23rd-31st October. Pick a pumpkin from £2, and enjoy the PTA café. For more info please follow thepopuppumpkinpatch

The fun-packed Odds Farm in Wooburn Green, HP10 0LX, also has a pumpkin patch, carving corner, arts and crafts and spooky surprises, 26th October-3rd November; Odds Farm Park

Over at wondrous Wendover Woods in Aston Clinton, HP22 5NQ, pick up your £4 party pack from the information point and set off on The Gruffalo Party Trail! Find out more at Wendover Woods

The Halloween spectacular and bonfire is back at Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont, HP8 4AB, 5-9pm on Friday, 1st November, promising an evening of spooky fun for all ages in the atmospheric historic buildings and woods. Enjoy spine-tingling stories, marshmallow-toasting and scary woodland walks. For more info please visit Chiltern Open Air Museum

Enjoy Hogshaw School of Witchcraft & Wizardy at the farm & wildlife Park, MK18 3LA, 26th October to 1st November with pumpkins, potions, creepy crawlies, owls & extra fun! Visit Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park to find out more.

Gorgeous Peterley Manor Farm in Missenden, HP16 0HH, will sell pumpkins in the farm shop, or PYO. Visit Peterley Manor Farm

Majestic Waddesdon Manor, HP18 0JH, will welcome you for an autumn adventure trail, 2nd-27th October. You can also enjoy Creepy Critters with the ZooLab animal-lovers on 19th, 20th, 26th & 27th October. Or why not book in for a spooky afternoon tea, for children or adults, on 26th & 27th? Waddesdon Manor

The Spookfest Family Fun Day at Haddenham village hall, HP17 8EE, 12-4pm on Saturday, 26th October, will offer lots of free fun including owl-handling, slime-making, biscuit decorating, arts & crafts, as well as a pop-up café. Get your free tickets at Eventbrite.

Wishing you lots of safe, scary fun!


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Half term horrors

Liz Nicholls

Half term

Halloween and half term are on the horizon. Luckily, Buckinghamshire is a county that’s (witch’s) brimful of great family-friendly fun! 

From 25th October to 3rd November you can enjoy an intriguing Aesop’s Fables interactive trail at Hughenden. The same week, there’s a nature trail at Cliveden; nationaltrust.org.uk

The Pop-up Pumpkin Patch has popped up again in Stokenchurch, HP14 3YF, for its third year, 23rd -31st October. Pick a pumpkin from £2, and enjoy the PTA cafe. For more info please follow @Thepopuppumpkinpatch

The fun-packed Odds Farm in Wooburn Green, HP10 0LX, also has a pumpkin patch, carving corner, arts and crafts and spooky surprises, 26th October-3rd November; oddsfarm.co.uk

Over at wondrous Wendover Woods in Aston Clinton, HP22 5NQ, pick up your £4 party pack from the information point and set off on the The Gruffalo Party Trail! Find out more at forestryengland.uk/wendover-woods

The Halloween spectacular and bonfire is back at Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont, HP8 4AB, 5-9pm on Friday, 1st November, promising an evening of spooky fun for all ages in the atmospheric historic buildings and woods. Enjoy spine-tingling stories, marshmallow-toasting and scary woodland walks. For more info please visit coam.org.uk

Enjoy Hogshaw School of Witchcraft & Wizardy at the farm & wildlife Park, MK18 3LA, 26th October to 1st November with pumpkins, potions, creepy crawlies, owls & extra fun! Visit hogshawfarm.co.uk to find out more.

Gorgeous Peterley Manor Farm in Missenden, HP16 0HH, will sell pumpkins in the farm shop, or PYO. Visit peterleymanorfarm.co.uk

Majestic Waddesdon Manor, HP18 0JH, will welcome you for an autumn adventure trail, 2nd-27th October. You can also enjoy Creepy Critters with the ZooLab animal-lovers on 19th, 20th, 26th & 27th October. Or why not book in for a spooky afternoon tea, for children or adults, on 26th & 27th? waddesdon.org.uk

The Spookfest Family Fun Day at Haddenham village hall, HP17 8EE, 12-4pm on Saturday, 26th October, will offer lots of free fun including owl-handling, slime-making, biscuit decorating, arts & crafts, as well as a pop-up cafe. Get your free tickets at eventbrite.com


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Half-term horrors

Karen Neville

Half term

There are plenty of Halloween activities and ideas to entertain your little monsters this holiday

From glorious autumn colour to Halloween fun, there’s lots for everyone to enjoy at a National Trust place near you this autumn. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours at Winkworth Arboretum. soak up the far-reaching views at Leith Hill and Hindhead Commons and bring the little ones for spooky fun at Hatchlands Park and Claremont Landscape Garden.

There’s spine tingling spooky fun to be had at Hatchlands Park with a pumpkin hunt in the garden for younger ones and spooky fun in the house. You can also follow a Halloween themed trail at Hindhead Common.

Join a spooktacular fun run at Dapdune Wharf on Saturday 26th and test your fitness as darkness falls in a 2k run around the haunted wharf and island. Dressing up encouraged. £5 per runner. Booking essential. Visit River Wey & Godalming Navigations │ Surrey | National Trust. You can also explore the stars and space at the wharf, make a mini rocket and create your own constellation.

Help Sarah the Spider find her boots the mischievous mice have hidden at Winkworth Arboretum, Oct 19th-Nov 3rd. Based on the Sarah the Spider children’s books by Hilary Robinson. Find eight activity stations themed around friendship and a very friendly spider who loves to dance.

Conjure up some spooks and spells and get those cauldrons bubbling at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Tuesday 29th at a Halloween themed workshop for 5-7 year olds. Book at Spooks and Spells 5-7yrs | Yvonne Arnaud Theatre (yvonne-arnaud.co.uk)

Celebrate pumpkin week at Secretts Farm, Milford, October 19th & 20th and 25th to 30th. Dress to impress in the Halloween costume competition and try the pumpkin-themed menu.

Discover beautiful, handcrafted designs from over 75 talented makers at the festival of crafts, now in its 28th year. Well-established in the craft calendar and part of Farnham’s October Craft Month, the event, October 12th & 13th, champions great design, craftsmanship and skill. With hand-picked exhibitors, browse stalls showcasing a variety of media from textiles and print to homewares and jewellery. Expert-led talks, drop-in craft activities and bookable workshops. More at festival of crafts | Farnham Maltings

October is a wonderful time to visit Gilbert White’s House & Gardens; perfect for autumnal walks, fascinating exhibitions and the café is open to all, with a great array of hot drinks and gorgeous cakes. Plus this October Gilbert White’s House has a packed half term schedule with a pumpkin trail around the garden, owl themed twilight tales for the little ones, craft and story telling. To see everything that is on offer visit Gilbert Whites House – Journeys of Discovery in the Natural World

Take your ghouls and goblins to The Otter Nursery, Murray Road, Ottershaw from October 21st to November 1st and join the thrilling word hunt. It’s free and everyone gets to take home a prize. There’ll also be pumpkins available!


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Mysteries & mayhem Winchester Science Centre

Karen Neville

Half term

Outdoor adventures and curious science this half term with free outdoor orienteering and family activities

Step into a world of weird science, curiosity and investigation at Winchester Science Centre this May and June during Mysteries & Mayhem.

Between Saturday 13th May and Monday 5th June, including every day in the May half term school holidays, there’ll be all the usual Science Centre fun, plus even more to excite all ages, all included with admission.

Head outside to discover what the mischievous dormouse has been up to during some dormouse orienteering, explore mysterious insects and animals through intricate x-rays in Bio:Space, marvel at the wonder of the magnetic ferrofluid in Science Live and experience the exciting live science demos of a brand new science show.

There’s a mystery afoot at Winchester Science Centre this May half term. The illusive dormouse has been causing mayhem outside in the South Downs National Park. Visitors are invited to help solve the mystery during an outdoor orienteering adventure. Head to the Nature Laboratory before following the map to find evidence of the dormouse. Where have they been living? What have they been eating? Families can become Citizen Scientists and help the Science Centre team monitor what the dormouse has been up to. Through sharing data, visitors will help create a picture of the local dormouse population.

The mysteries continue indoors in the brand new free live science show, Chemistry Crime Squad. There’s been a crime committed! Families are invited to join the audience and help the Science Centre Inspirers use science to solve the mystery of the missing lunch. Find out about acids and alkalis as a secret message is unearthed. Discover how baking powder and vinegar can blow up a balloon to reveal clues about the crime. And be wowed by the exciting Elephant’s Toothpaste explosive conclusion!

There’s more wow live science happening in Bio:Space and Science Live. Explore the wonder of ferrofluid, a magnetic liquid that’s causing mayhem in Science Live. And in Bio:Space, science takes on a nature theme. Discover mysterious insects and animals through intricate x-rays and models.

And it’s not just Earth’s mysteries being explored during Mysteries & Mayhem. In the Planetarium the stars will be putting on a show. In live show, Secrets of the Stars, visitors can shoot into space to discover the hidden mysteries of the constellations. Hear stories that have been told for thousands of years and explore the galaxies of the epic tales. And in Astronaut, a subtitled film show, find out what it takes to become a real-life spaceman.

And don’t forget all the other hands-on fun on offer! Visitors can discover more about sound, hearing and vibration on the upper floor. Climb inside a giant guitar. Explore the acoustic rocket and even learn some British Sign Language. On the lower floor families can blast off on a journey through Explorer:Space and discover more about what it’s like to live and work in space in the interactive space zone.

Mysteries & Mayhem is part of the Science Centre’s explosive year of fun. Daytimes will be action-packed with six brand-new seasonal events, one for every school holiday. And when the doors close the fun doesn’t stop with four brand-new family and adult-only evening events.

For more information about the 2023 season at Winchester Science Centre visit Winchester Science Centre.

Zero Degrees at Winchester Science Centre

Karen Neville

Half term

This February half term there’s some out of this world fun to enjoy without ever leaving Hampshire

The temperature may be dropping but things are heating up with the Science Centre’s first school holiday event, Zero Degrees. As well as all the usual Science Centre fun, there’ll be even more on offer to excite all ages.

Step inside a wintry wonderland and experience the breath-taking colours of the Northern Lights… without even leaving Hampshire until February 20th. For a limited time each day, the Planetarium will be opening up for free for the first time so that everyone can experience the mesmerising greens, blue and purples of the Northern Lights and get a sneak peek of the spectacular Planetarium.

In Extreme Weather, an exciting free science show, live experiments and fascinating facts will shed light on the unexpected, and often severe, weather we see around the world. This action-packed 20-minute show will take an in-depth look into some of our most crazy weather systems. Thankfully the weather in Hampshire isn’t usually that extreme, but the Science Centre needs the help of visitors to monitor it. In the Bio:Space weather station visitors can grab weather measuring tools and record how the weather is changing throughout the day. There’s even an opportunity to create their own weather in Science Live. Join the Inspirers and get hands-on with live science by create a cloud in a bottle.

And don’t forget all the other hands-on fun on offer! Visitors can discover more about sound, hearing and vibration on the upper floor. Climb inside a giant guitar. Explore the acoustic rocket. And even learn some British Sign Language. On the lower floor families can blast off on a journey through Explorer:Space and discover more about what it’s like to live and work in space in the interactive space zone.

The February events mark the start of a year of explosive fun at Winchester Science Centre in 2023. Daytimes will be action-packed with six brand-new seasonal events, one for every school holiday. Experience all the thrills of the Science Centre’s awesome hands-on exhibits, live shows and demos plus extra activities – including free entry to the Planetarium this February half term. And when the doors close, the fun doesn’t stop with four brand-new family and adult-only evening events. Tickets are on sale for the first daytime event, Zero Degrees, with events and other seasons set to go on sale very soon.

For more information about the 2023 season at Winchester Science Centre and to book visit Winchester Science Centre.

Half term fun at Squire’s

Karen Neville

Half term

Keep the little ones entertained this February with a visit to Squire’s to paint a bird flowerpot

Squire’s Garden Centres are hosting February half term with a ‘Create & Grow’ ‘Paint a Bird Flowerpot’ activity (booking essential for ‘Paint a Bird’) as well as ‘Bird Treasure Hunt’ (no need to book).

Young visitors will have the opportunity to get artistic, using their painting skills to create a unique bird-shaped ceramic flowerpot (plant not included), to take home and put on the windowsill – and bring colour to their bedroom. Sessions may be booked online and in-store.

The Bird Treasure Hunt is free and there is no need to book, simply turn up on the day. Children will follow a paper trail of birds around the centre to help find the magic word, with five images to find, to receive a free sticker.

Squire’s ‘Create & Glow’ activities are on from 9.30am-1pm, Monday, 13th to Friday, 17th February at centres in Surrey and Berkshire including at Wokingham, Woking, Milford, Frensham and Cobham.

Autumn leaves and fiendish fun

Ellie Cox

Half term

It may feel as if the children have only just gone back to school but already it’s time for half term. So, if you’re in need of some ideas to amuse them and save your own sanity, read on…

This time of year may be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but it’s also the time for ghostly goings-on when things go bump in the night and you can’t help bumping into a pumpkin or two!

There’s a whole week full of pumpkins at Secretts at Hurst Farm, Milford from October 22nd to 29th. Pop along and pick your own to take home. They’re priced by the diameter so bear that in mind when tempted to go for the biggest. Pick up an activity sheet and join in a scavenger hunt. If the fleshy orange squash is to your taste, then tuck into the pumpkin menu of soup, curry or a slice of spicy pumpkin cake.

In the lead up to Halloween, RHS Wisley invites you to delve into the world of deadly plants and bugs. With fun family activities from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th. Follow the trail around the garden to explore how everything from cacti to centipedes defend themselves and their habitats. Meet all kinds of bugs and get stuck in with craft and planting workshops. Design a deadly bug or start growing your own carnivorous plant at a workshop and find out more about the wicked plants and wildlife who make Wisley their home.

Magic and mischief abound on The Watercress Line this Halloween with spooky fun galore to keep the kids entertained. Travel on the Wizard Express steam train, walk in Harry Potter’s footsteps over the railway footbridge and explore the Harry Potter style coaches in the siding at Alresford. Get up close to hairy, scary creatures, take part in a broom making demo and much more. As well as unlimited train travel between stations. And why not dress up as a spooky character for the chance to win a prize?

There’s a week of spooky make and take craft activities at the Rural Life Centre, Farnham from Monday 24th to Sunday 30th. With the popular pumpkin carving on Saturday and Sunday. Pre-booking essential for this.

If you’ve ever accused your children of being air heads let them revel in this at Brooklands Museum this October half term, at their Air Heads extravaganza where you’ll find all manner of activities to keep them entertained. Join in the Build a Paper Aircraft Family Workshop and watch it fly. Pedal planes will run from the paddock for under 5s. Become a detective and solve clues, decode messages and search for hidden objects to claim a prize.

Fairy Doors will be in the Painshill landscape from Saturday 22nd until November 13th. Discover the secret series of doors hidden around the woodlands and lake. As you wander the route you will see the best spots for autumn colour. Enjoy some stunning trees, collect autumn leaves and celebrate the season. Keep your eyes open for the fairies!

A new after dark trail awaits visitors to Polesden Lacey from October 20th to November 6th with IGNITE. Visitors can enjoy a walk through the gardens at night guided by flickering flames and glowing tunnels of trees, with magical illuminated installations along the way. Nestled in the Surrey Hills, the Edwardian gardens of the estate are the perfect setting for this exceptional after-dark experience.

An autumn stroll through the ancient woodlands and parkland at Hatchlands Park is a joy at this time year. The beech woodland creates a delightful haze of gold and yellow and the native wild service tree, with its vibrant red leaves glows against the sky. There are various way-marked routes to follow and if you need a little help to get around, book an all-terrain Tramper personal mobility vehicle.

There’s a weird, wacky, and wicked Halloween trail to follow at Winkworth Arboretum in Godalming. From Saturday 22nd to Monday 31st where you can uncover the spookier side of trees on a haunted trail around the arboretum. Did you know fungi is closer to an animal than a plant? There’s a tree that smells like candyfloss? Or that some trees can grow fingers? Discover all this and more…

Take part in an autumn colour hunt throughout the month at The Vyne. Search for reds, golden yellows and rusty browns hidden in the grounds using the autumn colour hunt key. Intrigue and curious conundrums are part of the Halloween riddle trail from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th when little ones can also hunt for witches, wizards, cats and toads exploring the gardens with the aid of trail sheets. A chocolate treat awaits at the end.

Spot the pumpkins hidden across the Pleasure Garden and have fun strolling through crunchy leaves at Petworth from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th. Search out seasonal colours and different leaf shapes at Petworth that are marked on the colour catcher chart. Collect what you find, then help create deer shaped wild art installations by attaching your leafy collections to the animal models.

Gin lovers listen up! Did you know there’s an award-winning distillery in the beautiful village of Ripley? Distillers Of Surrey are a family run business on the picturesque Papercourt Lake, Polesden Lane. If you’re yet to discover this hidden treasure, check out their opening times at www.distillersofsurrey.com or book one of their popular distillery tours where you’ll be welcomed with a G&T and enjoy an interesting tour. Younger ones aren’t forgotten with spooky Halloween craft to enjoy on Saturday 29th.

Autumn leaves and fiendish fun

Ellie Cox

Half term

It may feel as if the children have only just gone back to school, but already it’s time for half term. So, if you’re in need of some ideas to amuse them and save your own sanity, read on…

This time of year may be the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, but it’s also the time for ghostly goings-on when things go bump in the night and you can’t help bumping into a pumpkin or two!

Come and explore the first-ever pumpkin patch at The Earth Trust Centre at Wittenham Clumps from October 22nd to 30th. Pick your own direct from the field on the farm and try not to get lost in the maize maze. Get your boots muddy and your hands grubby, as you and your little ones have fun with one of our favourite autumn harvest vegetables. Morning and afternoon sessions. Booking essential.

A spooky, fun-filled, after dark trail awaits all the family this half term at Blenheim Palace, 21st to 30th, complete with new installations for 2022. Join with family and friends to wander from dusk into darkness between one ghostly space and another… if you dare! Watch out for flickering flames in a fiendish fire garden, daring fire artists and grinning pumpkins. Wind your way through the illuminated haunted woods filled with creepy neon cobwebs, ghastly ghouls, wicked witches, larger-than life spiders and beastly bats. Then discover the Secret Garden filled with more hidden surprises. Could it be a trick of the light or do things really go “bump in the night”?

Join fascinating, free, family-friendly events at the Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford this half-term. The Festival of Social Science is a celebration of creative, challenging, and inspiring work that social science researchers do to help us understand and influence the world around us. Hands-on activities are led by real-life social scientists. Discover the future of going to the doctors, explore what better cities could look like, uncover hidden histories in the museum’s collections – and much more! Find out how the researchers are helping to make the world a better place. Just drop in on 29th and 30th.

Hear spooky stories from 1,000 years of gruesome history come to life during a Spooky Tour at Oxford Castle on October 15th and 21st to 31st. Are you brave enough to visit one of the most haunted places in the UK? Explore the vaulted well chamber, visit the punishment cells and go underground into the dark and spooky crypt. Watch out for ghostly visitors revealing themselves! Underground in the crypt, a cauldron is brewing; with the help of the castle’s resident warlock you can concoct some magical potions with three exciting activities in this hour-long workshop on selected dates.

Take part in the Waterperry Halloween Hunt throughout October half term, 15th to 30th. Follow the trail through the historic gardens to claim your prize at the end.

Follow the clues around the mysterious world of Tumblestone Hollow and the Gardens at Stonor to win a chocolate prize (or an alternative treat) on the Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure. Folk of Tumblestone Hollow will be reading stories from The Moon Witch and The Thief and giving away spooky temporary transfers. There will be pumpkins galore and ghoulish surprises in this magical spot.

Corn Exchange Newbury and 101 Outdoor Arts and The Base Greenham are excited to be presenting a range of fabulous shows, events and workshops to keep families and little ones entertained this October half term! From shows like Fireman Sam, Morgan & West: Unbelievable Science and a stage adaptation of Lemony Snicket’s The Dark on stage, and spooky screenings of Halloween classics in the cinema, to crafty workshops and fun art courses across the Learning Centre, 101 and The Base, including pumpkin carving and Halloween themed t-shirt printing – it’s going to be a fang-tastic half term! Find out more at www.cornexchangenew.com

Enjoy a free guided tour at the Living Rainforest this half term and explore the theme of ‘poisonous and venomous’ in keeping with it being Halloween. The centre is home to more than 850 species of plants and animals and visitors can experience the sights, sounds and smells of a lush tropical rainforest environment.

Children can enjoy some autumn crafts in the barn at the historic site of Avebury, as well as a half-term family trail from 22nd to 30th.

LEGOLAND’s Brick or Treat presents Monster Party, where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over this October. Join them at the Brick or Treat Monster Party to celebrate their fantastic new 4D Movie The Great Monster Chase!. There’ll be amazing new experiences, live shows, fantastic LEGO decorations and lots of Monster mischief.  The LEGOLAND Windsor Resort will be transformed into a pumpkin-filled wonderland for what promises to be the most frightfully fun event of the year.

Big friendly spooktacular family fun is promised at HalloWellyWeen at Wellington Country Park from Saturday 22nd until Sunday 30th. Enjoy daily shows and story telling at The Witches Show Tent, comedy duo Big Foot and PeteZa in The Not So Spooky Show Tent, get face to face with creepy crawlies in The Lost Jungle and carve a pumpkin in The Pumpkin Patch. The pop-up play village, Halloween themed miniature train and new for 2022 Junk Jodie with recycled Halloween crafts will all add to the entertainment.

Explore the lost village of Stowe as part of the Halloween trail at the National Trust property during October half term, expect some chants and spells along the way together with rare opportunities to explore the spookiest of Stowe’s monuments, the Gothic Temple on 29th and 30th.

Follow the paths of the Wicked Witch Trail around Lamport Garden on a spooky exploration from Saturday 22nd to Monday 31st. Help find the ingredients for a secret Stowe potion, learn some chants and spells, and enjoy the magical colours that can be found there.