October half-term events and activities

A family playing outside at Osterley Park and House, London

This half term, why not get involved in some of our great family activities? Follow a wildlife trail, discover historical stories or get creative with natural materials. Wherever you go, there’ll be plenty to do with the kids this October. Below, we share the kinds of fun you can have at various places, plus you can search for an event near you.

Half-term events & activities near me
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Visitors and costumed interpreter in the kitchen at Ickworth, Suffolk

Be a mini historian

Step back in time and meet characters from hundreds of years ago. Travel back over 500 years ago and join Sir Christopher Hatten at Corfe Castle, Dorset, who was the castle’s first private owner. You can join in with fun and festivities, discover Tudor food and learn a Tudor jig. At Chartwell in Kent, you can meet the people from wartime Britain who looked after the house while the Churchills were in London during the Second World War. Meet Hilda, who looked after the cows, and Mrs Landemare, who sent food from the kitchen garden at Chartwell up to Downing Street.

Hunting for bugs at Winkworth Arboretum, Surrey

Get up close to nature

Be a nature explorer this October half term, and venture into the outdoors to see if you can spot some wildlife. At Bodiam Castle in East Sussex, embark on the bats trail to find out what they like to eat and how they live – you might even see a couple in their favourite places. Celebrate the humble hedgehog at Dyffryn Gardens in the Vale of Glamorgan. See if you can spot one around the gardens, and make your very own from a pine cone.

A child wearing a leaf crown

Unleash your creativity

Have an artistic autumn adventure at many places near you. Create some wild art at Emmett’s Garden in Kent, where you can collect natural materials from the ground such as sticks and colourful leaves, and create a leaf crown at one of the craft stations in the garden. There are lots of craft activities to try at Morden Hall Park in London, too. Make a leaf jar lantern, craft a felt leaves garland and draw a woodland animal leaf mask. You can then use these creations to invent your own whimsical woodland tale using a story-telling prompt.

Latest visiting update 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops, countryside locations and many houses are open. You no longer need to pre-book at many places. Some still require booking ahead, so please check the property webpage before you travel.​

Visiting and booking changes
Visitors enjoying an autumnal walk beneath the autumn trees on the estate at Hardwick, Derbyshire

Autumn activities for all the family 

The vibrant colours, bold trees and rich harvests of autumn are here. Whether you're after family fun or some quiet time alone at our places or at home, explore the best experiences this season has to offer with this range of autumnal activities.

Make the most of autumn