craft to take home.Up, Up And AwayAugust 14Visit Ashton Court Estate for the annual Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. See how a hot ait balloon is made, watch the Red Arrows and enjoy the funfair.Salisbury Family August 20, 21Head to Salisbury Arts

was based in a small car park in Kent.Family X-Factor For those too young to operate heavy machinery, play areas and sandpits are available for small scale construction efforts, look out for park mascot, Duggy, who may even appear to lend a helping hand

Michael Caines has many, many pots on the boil.Having won numerous accolades for his achievements in the hospitality industry, Michael will be hosting his first London eatery this year, a pop-up family restaurant in the OXO Tower in which competition

family show.Halloween trail October 27–31Step into a real-life ghost town and marvel at the long abandoned Victorian slate workshops at the National Slate Museum, Llyn Padarn. Look out for that most macabre of creatures, the black bat, which is likely

to families of all ages. Watch witches Millie, Molly and Meg perform their spooky song and dance show, visit Franklin’s freaky farm for a scary storytelling session whilst older children (and braver parents!) may enter the Tower Of Terror at their own risk

storytelling, pumpkin carving demonstrations, potion mixing and wand making lessons. The Little Monster’s Disco on Friday and Saturday evening will have the whole family shaking their skeleton to the Monster Mash – after which you can sink your fangs into some

to retain the mischievous spirit of the man himself whilst providing an educational family day out. Cheeky children will revel in tales of Dahl’s schoolboy pranks whilst adult aficionados can delve into the vast archive of  manuscripts, photographs, letters

family frightfest.Boo At The ZooOctober 29The focus is firmly on creepy creatures at Belfast Zoo this Hallowe’en with a special reptile display, bat talks, a spooky trail and face painting on offer. Under 18s wearing fancy dress will get in for free

children can indulge their inner monster with plenty of Halloween themed games and creepy crafts.Tractor Spooktacular October 13, 27Ancient Blair Castle in the stormy Scottish highlands is the perfect setting for a ghoulish family adventure. Children

, carvings, talks and games.For more fun family days out, see our pick of the best autumn activities in London