Half-term fun in the North East

With autumn nature trails and wildlife encounters, ghoul hunting and creepy crafts we’ve got big adventures for little monsters this half term.

A young boy throws leaves into the air at Cragside

Explore the great outdoors at Cragside 

Explore the great outdoors and have a ‘50 things to do before you're 11 ¾’ adventure on a woodland walk at Cragside. Catch orange and red leaves falling from the trees, challenge your friends and family to a game of conkers and find the muddiest of puddles to splash in. Taking a leaf out of Lord Armstrong’s book, the Newcastle University Science Buskers will be back with spooky science and fiendish fun on Saturday 2 November.

Plan a '50 Things' adventure
A family carve pumpkins

Have a spooky adventure at Wallington 

Make the most of the late autumn sunshine and head out on the Dragon cycle trail for a spooky ’50 Things’ adventure. Stop off at the wildlife hide and see if you can spot red squirrels stocking up for winter. Bring your own bike or hire your wheels from the cycle hire hut. Get stuck in to some creepy crafting with pumpkin carving, or tackle the trail and help the house team work out who’s been making things go bump in the night.

Tackle spooky trails at Wallington
A girl swinging high on a swing

Frightful fun at Gibside  

Head to Gibside for a spooky week of free, family-friendly halloween fun and activities. Swing by Strawberry Castle play area or head to the West Woods and build your own woodland retreat. Celebrate the spookiest time of the year at Beer and a Fright Night. With tasty street food, live music, Halloween drinks and a magician performing spooky magic, there’s plenty to keep little and not so little monsters entertained.

Indulge this half term at Gibside
Pumpkin carving at the National Trust

Perfect your pumpkin at Seaton Delaval Hall 

Pull on your wellies and waterproofs and enjoy outdoor toys and games in the Secret Garden at Seaton Delaval Hall. Test your skills and bring along a carved pumpkin to the big Halloween family fun day on Wednesday 31 October. Don your spookiest outfit for the fancy dress competition and don’t forget to keep an eye out for the Grey Lady…

Join in the fun at Seaton Delaval Hall
A girl hunts for bugs

Creepy crafts and scary beasts at Washington Old Hall  

Venture into the nuttery at Washington Old Hall and look out for beasties such as spiders and other creepy crawlies. Head to the bird hide and watch our feathery friends stock up on treats from the bird feeders and create some wild art from what you can find on the ground. Are you brave enough to guess what gruesome contents are lurking in the mysterious Halloween box?

Spooky half term fun at Washington Old Hall
Children at a Halloween event

Witchy fun at Ormesby Hall  

Wisteria the Witch and her friends have arrived at Ormesby Hall for Halloween and dropped some of their belongings along the way, can you find the witchy items on the indoor and outdoor trails. Head to the kitchen to help Wisteria brew some lotions and potions or settle down to hear spooky stories guaranteed to give you chills.

Plan a spooky day at Ormesby Hall
Half-term at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

Outdoor adventures at Souter Lighthouse  

Bundle up for an outdoor adventure at Souter Lighthouse and the Leas. Help our feathered friends through the winter months by making them a bird feeder. Little ones can explore on two wheels with free balance bike hire thanks to British Cycling and HSBC UK and there are Halloween chills and thrills to enjoy with pumpkin carving and a spooky indoor trail.

Half term adventures at Souter