15 of the BEST family-friendly events for October Half Term

Get ready for some spooktacular fun this October Half Term, as we round up the best family-friendly activities taking place for children and grown-ups of all ages.

As the leaves fall from the trees and frost covers the ground, there is also a whole host of Halloween, Bonfire Night and autumnal activities taking place throughout the month and over the October Half Term school holidays and even into November and Decemeber.

Here are 15 of the best Autumn activities and events taking place that you won’t want to miss.

1. The Art of Banksy, LONDON

• When: open now- until 21st November
• Where: 50 Earlham Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9LJ
• Cost: £19.50 per person (a saving of £5.50 on the standard adult ticket) and available for anyone purchasing a minimum of two tickets when one of the party is aged between six and 16. Under 6s go free.
• To book or not to book: booking reccommended

The Art of Banksy is a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition showcasing the world's largest collection of privately owned Banksy artworks. Since opening in mid-May the exhibit has attracted over 25,000 visitors already. As to be expected this exhibition is not authorised or curated in collation with the England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. A must-see for budding artists.

> Visit here for more information and tickets at The Art of Banksy

2. Cheltenham Literature Festival, CHELTENHAM

• When: 8th - 17th October
• Where: 109-111 Bath Road, Cheltenham, GL53 7LS and various events across the UK
• Cost: events are priced individually, check the brochure for details here
• To book or not to book: varies per event

One for all the bookworms, the Cheltenham Literature Festival offers a wide range of literary-themed events to entertain the whole family, from toddlers to teens. This October will see the launch of a major new three-year theme for the Festival: ‘Read the World’. The bumper family programme includes festival favourite Lenny Henry ( as he unveils his first book for children), Junior's favourite storyteller Michael Morpurgo (who introduces his first new novel in two year). Alongside magic, mayhem, and mishaps galore with current Waterstones Children’s Laureate Cressida Cowell, Tom Gates creator Liz Pichon, the legendary Jacqueline Wilson, record-breaking Rob Biddulph, TV vet Luke Gamble, comedians David Baddiel and Ben Miller plus Joe Wicks, Nadia Shireen, Anna James, Alex Milway, Ross Montgomery and Amy Wilson.

>> Visit here for more information on the Cheltenham Literature Festival

3. Autumn Treasure Hunt with Percy the Park Keeper, LONDON

• When: 14 October to 14 November (Wednesdays and Thursdays – From 2pm to 4.30pm, Friday to Sunday – From 10am, Half Term Holiday: Monday 25 to Friday 29 October – 10am to 4.30pm daily)
• Where: Chiswick House & Gardens, Burlington Lane, Chiswick London W4 2RP
• Cost: Adults, from £20, Child from £15 and Family Ticket from £60; Under 2’s free of charge.
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

This Autumn, be part of a live theatrical treasure hunt with Percy the Park Keeper as you help him get his animal friends ready for winter. Forest school meets puppetry, world-class theatrical storytelling and clue-based adventure in this unique outdoor experience designed specifically for Chiswick House and Gardens. Created by a producing and creative team behind many of your favourite family friendly experiences, the treasure hunt kicks off on 14th October with limited availability throughout half term and beyond. Bring your wellies and your family and come and meet Percy and his adorable animal friends. Can you help get the animals ready for winter? ...Oh, and has anyone seen Hedgehog?

Visit here for more information about the Autumn Treasure Hunt with Percy the Park Keeper (produced by Histrionic Productions)

4. Brick or Treat at the LEGOLAND ® Windsor Resort, WINDSOR

• When: 14th - 31st October
• Where:LEGOLAND® Windsor Park Ltd, Winkfield Road, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 4AY
• Cost: Adult tickets from £39
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

Calling all little monsters and their monster families as Lord Vampyre invites you to Brick or Treat at the LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort for the most spook-tacular time of the year, Halloween! The resort will be transformed into a pumpkin-filled wonderland for what is sure to be the most spook-tacular halloween party of the year perfect for the young, and the young at heart! With many fun Halloween activities to dig your fangs into, including the Haunted House Monster Party Ride and NEW for 2021 Harbour Show, Lord Vampyre’s Creepy Crypt Trail, Monster Rocker’s fang-tastic Pumpkin Trail, costume competitions and so much more – plus the brand new land LEGO MYTHICA: World of Mythical Creatures, live shows and attractions, it’s sure to be a frightfully fun day out for all the family!

>> Visit here for more information on Legoland and to book tickets

5. The Gruffalo’s Child Interactive Trail, LONDON & SUSSEX

• When: Saturday 16 October – Sunday 31 October
• Where: Kew Gardens, Kew, Richmond, London, TW9 3AE and Wakehurst, Ardingly, Haywards Heath, Sussex, RH17 6TN
• Cost: Adults, from £17.50, Child from £5
• To book or not to book: Booking required

The Gruffalo’s Child trail plots an enchanting journey through Kew Gardens. As Adventurous visitors will encounter much-loved characters from author Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s book, including, Fox, Owl, Snake, The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child and of course, the Big Bad Mouse. Intrepid explorers of all ages are invited to enjoy a trail across the Gardens, following hazelnuts and acorns to discover more about the wonderful world of the Gruffalo’s Child. Families will also get the chance to play and explore in Kew Gardens’ striking natural landscapes - home to 14,000 trees - and will become immersed in the enchanting world of The Gruffalo’s Child.

>>Visit here for more information about the The Gruffalo’s Child Interactive Trail

6. Autumn Colours and Animal Fun at Robin Hill, ISLE OF WIGHT

• When: Saturday 16 October – Sunday 31 October
• Where: Robin Hill, Downend, Nr. Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 2NU
• Cost: Adults, from £23.50, under 4s free
• To book or not to book: pre-booking essential

Whats not to love about 88 acres of deciduous woodland that's a riot of red and gold autumnal colours? With a family day out at Robin Hill park where highlights include hugging the Giant Redwood trees that are rarely seen outside America, taking in the record-breaking tree sculpture standing at 57ft and a canopy skywalk to get a birds’ eye view of the orchestra of Autumn colour. There is also falconry display where 30 types of birds will swoop in the foliage, including a one-year-old White-Tailed Sea Eagle that was once native to the Island but became extinct around 200 years ago!

> Visit here for more information about the Autumn Colours and Animal Fun at Robin Hill

7. The Curious Treehouse Adventure & The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade at Bewilderwood, NORFOLK

• When: various dates throughout October, The Glorious Glowing Lantern Parade 16th - 17th and 23rd - 31st October
• Where: BeWILDerwood Norfolk, Horning Road, Hoveton, Norwich NR12 8JW
• Cost: Tickets from £12.50. Free entry for children under 92cm
• To book or not to book: Booking recommended, but there is on the day tickets

Bewilderwood is an outdoor adventure park for families that really comes alive at this time of year. You can spend the day exploring the magical woodland, meeting the Bewilderbats and seeing the spooky decorations in the park. But make sure you stay for dusk as that’s when the real fun begins – where you join see the Lantern Parade and participate in the Bewilderwood magical light extravaganza.

>> Visit here for more information on The Curious Treehouse Adventure & Lantern Parade

8. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, various theatres across the UK

• When: 17th October - 24th December
• Where: various UK venues, for full tour listing see here
• Cost: Tickets from £10, prices vary by venue
• To book or not to book: Booking required

The Autumn/Winter tour of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is a theatrical recreation of Eric Carle’s beautifully imaginative stories including Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and, of course, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. As four master puppeteers weave their way through Eric Carle’s stories, bringing to life a menagerie of 75 enchanting puppets in a magical show that faithfully recreates the wonderfully colourful world of Carle’s illustrations. Some Christmas shows will feature the festive tale Dream Snow (inplace of The Very Lonely Firefly).

>>Visit here for more information about the The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show

9. Shriek Week at Drusillas Park, SUSSEX

• When: 23rd - 31st October
• Where: Drusillas Park, Alfriston, East Sussex, BN26 5QS
• Cost: Adult tickets from £26 (online price). Free entry for under 2s
• To book or not to book: Booking recommended

Drusillas' Park is a 10-acre zoo between Brighton and Eastbourne that offers a loving home to over one hundred exotic animals, including sloths, meerkats, monkeys, penguins, red pandas, giant anteaters and more. Its annual Halloween Shriek Week is set to be bigger and better than ever with Haunted Heights – Drusillas’ haunted house experience, Mummy Mayhem – a spooky takeover of the Park’s adventure maze, and the Sugar Skull Witch – a new addition for 2021. Drusillas will be running a fancy dress competition for the best dressed during Shriek Week, with the chance to win a family ticket for four.

10. Light Spectacular Railway, YORKSHIRE

• When: 23rd to 31st October, departing at 6pm and 7.45pm
• Where: Pickering Station, Pickering, North Yorkshire, YO18 7AJ
• Cost: Tickets from £25
• To book or not to book: Booking required

For an unforgettable half term break why not head to The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR)? They have a series of exciting events and activities lined up including the Light Spectacular half term event (a 50 minute illuminated journey with carriages adorned with 17,000 LEDs departing from Pickering to Levisham Station every evening), the popular heritage railway Bronze timetable will be running (during half term, a family ticket can be purchased from £78, with children travelling for only £1 each) and, special nature-focussed activities and trails, where families will learn all about the wildlife and nature along the lineside.

> Visit here for more information visit here The North Yorkshire Moors Railway

11. Spooky Season at Kidzania, LONDON

• When: 23rd – 31st October
• Where: KidZania London, Westfield London, Ariel Way, W12 7GA
• Cost: Child ticket from £26, adult ticket from £16
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

12. Go Ape this Half Term, locations across the UK

• When: 25th– 29th October
• Where: various locations across the UK
• Cost: Varies per venue
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

Want an exhilarating and unforgettable experience this half term? If so, pay a visit to one of the 35 Go Ape forest adventures nationwide. Adults and children aged 10 years and above can swing through the trees on the Tree Top Adventure, fly through the sky on a zip wire or glide through the forest on a Segway. For younger children, there’s the Tree Top Junior, a series of suspended tunnels, walkways, tricky obstacles and zip wires up in the trees. Located everywhere from Devon to Kent and Yorkshire and Wales, there’s also the Go Ape Nets Kingdom at Black Park, just off the M25 West of London.

> Visit here for more information on Go Ape

13. Delivery to the Lost City at The Postal Museum, LONDON

• When: 27th – 31st October
• Where: 15-20 Phoenix Place, London WC1X 0DA
• Cost: admission to events is included in the ticket price for The Postal Museum
• To book or not to book: no need to book, first come first served

A visit to The Postal Museum this autumn will include a half-term programme of fun activities to spark children’s imagination all inspired by Delivery to the Lost City by P.G. Bell. This is the final book in the bestselling The Train to Impossible Places Adventures series and highlights include a meet with author P.G. Bell to have a copy of the new book signed, take part in an interactive storytelling event in the Mail Rail depot with storyteller Olivia Armstrong and get hands-on at one of their arts and crafts workshops.

>Visit here for more information visit The Postal Museum

14. The Jumps Season at Ascot Racecourse: Family Days Out, BERKSHIRE

• When: Saturday 30th October & Saturday 18th December
• Where: Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, SL5 7JX
• Cost: Adult tickets from £20. Free entry for under 18s.
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

>>Visit here for more information about The Jumps Season at Ascot Racecourse

15. Big Fish Little Fish events, events across the UK

• When: various dates throughout October
• Where: various venues throughout the uk, see full list here
• Cost: from around £8
• To book or not to book: Booking essential

Since 2013 Big Fish Little Fish the original family raves for ‘2-4 hour party people’ have brought raving to the family massive. An independent, grassroots music and events crew of seasoned ravers and parents that put on family raves with all the freedom and excitement of a mini-festival, right in the heart of cities and towns across the UK. There are several Halloween-themed events taking place in London, Birmingham, Sheffield and Exeter. Spooky costumes are optional but fun for everyone is guaranteed.

>> Visit here for more information on Big Fish Little Fish