As usual there are lots of cheap October half term activities going on across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire. I’ve put together the details of some of the highlights. There are lots of local pumpkin patches as well. Because many of them are open for longer than just half term I’ve put those together into a separate post. You’ll find all of them here. I’ve also included the details of some of the places that are doing lots of activities as well here.
I’m going to continue adding new events to this post so keep checking the website for the latest details. If there’s anything you think I’m missing please get in touch.
Most October half term activities in Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire will run from 26th October – 3rd November 2024. Some places may require pre-booking. Please always double check before visiting if you’re interested in any of the events. It’s also worth noting that this year Diwali falls on the 31st October and so there are a number of related events during October half term as well.
Buckinghamshire October Half Term activities
Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire (reviewed here) have got various free, family-friendly activities on this October half term. There’s a Skull Shack and an autumn adventure trail with Zoolab. There’s also the chance to meet creepy crawlies on the 19th/20th/26th & 27th. However it is worth noting that they are CLOSED after the 27th October so won’t have any half term activities taking place after the first weekend. Additional charges apply, pre-booking required. Find out more here.
There is a Fancy Dress and Shop Window Art Trail on Saturday 26th October from 11am to 2pm in Princes Risborough. All the details are on the council’s website.
Discover Bucks have lots of October half term activities planned. There’s craft activities, science activities, a trick or treat trail and a creative writing workshop (additional charges apply, pre-booking required). On the 2nd November there’s spooky story telling, drop-in crafts and a trail (free if you’re wearing a costume). On the 30th October there’s a Diwali craft to make a clay diya lamp (£4 per person, drop-in sessions)
October half term is a stunning time of year to visit Stowe in Buckinghamshire as it looks beautiful. This year the focus is on all things WWII as they have the stunning For Your Tomorrow exhibition in the grounds with 1,475 silhouettes of military personnel. The half term trail is a Codebreakers trail running from the 19th October to 11th November, £2 plus admission. Have a look at my review of Stowe here. Hughenden Manor has still got their mythical creature woodland trail which is a free trail in the woods. There’s also a half term trail based on Aesop’s Fables, free, 26th October – 3rd November. Then on the 26th, 28th October and 1st November there are kids’ craft activities, £3.
There’s a Halloween spooktacular at Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, which includes an interactive performance of Red Riding Hood, Halloween games and a train ride with Frankenstein. Family ticket (2A + 2C) £44.50. Have a look at my review here.
Hogshaw Farm have got tons going on this October half term. The Hogshaw school of witchcraft and wizardy runs from the 26th October – 1st November. Includes pumpkin decorating, an owl display, a potion making lesson and a free pumpkin for every child.
The pumpkin festival at Odds Farm Park (reviewed here) is from the 26th October – 3rd November. There’s a tricky trail, spooky surprises and pumpkin carving. Free pumpkin for every fee paying child. Find out more here.
Hocus Pocus at Thrift Farm from the 26th October – 1st November (reviewed here). There’s also a trail, games and a Halloween dig. Tickets are just £10 per person.
The Teriffic Tuesday at Chiltern Open Air Museum this October Half term this year is Diwali themed. There will be drumming workshops, dancing, storytelling, dressing up and crafts for the festival of light. The Halloween Spectacular is back on Friday, 1 November from 5pm to 9pm. There’s a bonfire, storytelling, spooky horses, fire performances and family activities. Read my review of the museum here.
Wycombe Museum has got a Pumpkin Hunt trail from the 20th October – 3rd November. £3 per child. No pre-booking required. There’s a Halloween ghost hunt on the 27th. Suitable for 4-11 year olds, £7 per child. Crafts are on the 29th – 30th October, £4.25 per child.
The Eden Centre in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire has got free October half term activities from the Monday 23rd – Sunday 29th October. There’s different food themed Halloween workshops, pre-booking required.
Chorleywood Parish Council have a Creepy Creatures Trail on the 30th & 31st October. £3.50 per child. Booking in advance is requested.
It’s Halloween week at the Hellfire Caves in Buckinghamshire, with events throughout October half term. Some are adult only, some are for families. 25th October – 2nd November they have a spooky walk, suitable for all ages. £42 per family. 25th October – 2nd November, Slightly Frights, £36 which is a slightly scarier Halloween themed event. Timeslots vary for both events. There’s a pumpkin patch from October 19th until 31st Read my full review here
Black Park Country Park have got a Halloween Trail this half term from the 28th October – 1st November. Some scenes may not be suitable for very young children. £2.73 per child if booked in advance, £3 on the day. There is no prize included. There are special SEND sessions at 2pm on the Tuesday & Wednesday. Read my review here
Bedfordshire October Half Term activities
Jordan’s Mill in Bedfordshire will have their half term events taking place from the Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November, 9:30am – 3:30pm. The site is free to visit and the 3D Poison Garden Activity Trail costs £4 per child. There’s also a craft activity on the 19th October from 10.30-12. 5-8 years. £5 per child There’s also plenty of walks you can do from the site. Read my review of our previous visits here.
The October half term events at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire are usually really good (Read my review of the site here). Their Halloween trail itself is free and runs from Sat 26 Oct – Sun 03 Nov 2024. There’s also a spooky woodland walk on the Sat 26 – Sun 27 Oct & Thurs 31 Oct 2024. It’s designed for kids 5-10 so it won’t be too scary. Additional charges apply.
The Freaky Funfest is on at Mead Open Farm from the 26th Oct – 3rd Nov 2024. Includes a free pumpkin from the patch, lots of undercover activities, halloween hunt, a tiny terrors tractor ride, spooky mazes and this year there’s even a circus! You can find out more here. This year they also have The Howl which is a series of scary mazes. Running weekends and select dates during October half term. Only suitable for ages 12+ Read my full review here.
Boo at the Zoo* at Whipsnade Zoo is back Saturday 26 October until Sunday 3 November. There’s themed animal talks, a magic show, creepy crafts, story telling sessions, pumpkin carving, ghost tours and a Halloween disco. You can read my review here
The Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire have got various different October half term activities taking place. There’s a Monster Mash Halloween disco on the 29th & 30th October, £15 per child including a meal. And Ghostly Crafts on the 31st October. Donations accepted. Find out more here.
Bedfordshire’s resident witch is back again this October half term at Dunstable Downs! There’s an activity trail running from the 26th October – 3rd November. You even get to make your own cauldron! £3 per child. Read my review here. There’s also a spooky after dark session on Halloween itself with a candlelit walk, broomstick-making, spooky stories and costume competition. £6 per person.
The SEND October half term event at Rushmere Country Park is on the 29th October. Their main autumnal trail is on from the 26th October – 3rd November, £4 per child (including a prize). The free Xplorer challenge is on the 31st October and a free family day all about birds on the 27th. Find out about those here. Read my review of Rushmere here.
Dunstable Town Council have got a number of free youth events aimed at 11-19 year olds throughout half term. From the 25th October – 1st November. There’s also a free Halloween Arts & Crafts workshop on the 29th October at Bennett’s Cafe from 10am – 12noon. Ages 3+
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Hertfordshire October half term activities
The Halloween events at Knebworth House in Hertfordshire are on the 29th to 31st October. Session times are 9.30 – 12.30 & 1-4. There’s Halloween games, a Terror Tunnel, a trail and carving competition. £10 per child, £4 per adult. You can read my review here.
The pumpkin festival at Willows activity farm in Hertfordshire runs from the 25th Oct – 1st Nov. There’s a pumpkin patch, gourds grotto, funfair, Halloween Maze and a pumpkin hunt. £19.95 per person online. Read my review here.
The spookfest at Aldenham Country Park in Hertfordshire is from the 12th October to the 31st. £7.95 per person. There’s a spooky trail, pumpkin carving, bug alley, pumpkin bingo and more. (Pumpkin carving £4.75 each) Find out all the details here.
Celtic Harmony have their Samhain celebrations from the 27th – 31st October 2024 – which is the Celtic new year. There’s loads of amazing craft activities to do as well as performing arts. £12.50 per person. Have a look at my review from a previous visit here. To find out about their October activities click here.
Tring Natural History Museum in Hertfordshire has got various half term events this October. There’s sessions all about Hedgehogs from the 29th – 31st October (Free, drop-in), a free apple pressing event on the 1st November and explore the museum by torchlight on the 1st November (£1, must be pre-booked). There’s also a Lego challenge on the 26h October, 1st & 2nd November to build a nature-friendly habitat. Free. Read my review of the museum here.
Hatfield Park has got events taking place from the 21st – 29th October. There’s gruesome old palace tours, craft sessions, a spooky woodland walk and more. Adults £12, Children £8.
Oxfordshire October half term activities
Halloween at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is spectacular, with new October half term activities this year! There’s an Illuminated Halloween trail (similar to the Christmas one, but with more spookiness!). It runs from the 25th October – 3rd November 2024. Read my full review here. During the day they’ve got a wizard walkabout, story-telling, circus workshop, family circus and pumpkin decorating. The train tunnel will be decorated as always. Down in the adventure playground it’s all about Pip and Posy with more story-telling, meet and greet and a trail. You can check out the full schedule here.
Waterperry Gardens have a spooky Halloween trail from the 26th October – 3rd November 2024. £3.95 per child. Read the full review here.
Science Oxford have their always popular family days each Satrday but they sell out fast so be quick. There’s also Brilliant Bats on the 26th October (5-9 years). Check out my review of the centre here.
The October half term events at The Story Museum in Oxford all link with their current exhibition “There be Dragons”. There’s the chance to meet Cressida Cowell on the 28th October, a three day skills workshop for 8-12 year olds from the 29th – 31st, plus loads of other craft activities, shows and workshops, all with a link to dragons. It’s going to be a jam-packed week!
Enjoy owl themed crafts at Upton House in Oxfordshire as part of their October half term activities. 28 October to Friday 1 November, £2 per child (plsu admission). There’s also a free Wings and things autumn story trail from the 21st October – 17th November 2024. Read my full review here.
In addition to PYO pumpkins at Millets farm in Oxfordshire there’s lots of October half term events. There’s also a Halloween circus from the 2Saturday 26th October – Sunday 3rd November, £9.99 per person. In Sprouts playbarn there’s a spooktacular disco on the 28th, 29th & 30th October.
The Moon Witch’s Halloween Adventure is taking place at Stonor Park from the October 26th – November 3rd 2024. Tickets are £10 per adult, £9 – £11 per child (depending on height), pre-booked prices. You can read my review of Tumblestone Hollow here.
There’s a half term trail ay Grey’s Court in Oxfordshire runs from the 25th October – 3rd November. £2 per child. The website doesn’t say what the theme is though.
The River and Rowing Museum in Henley, Oxfordshire are hosting loads of family friendly events this October half term. Some of them seem to be targeted particularly towards younger children. There’s a Halloween trail throughout the holidays, £1 per child. Other sessions include story-telling and crafting activities.
October half term activities across Bucks, Beds, Oxon and Herts seem to be back to normal! Some places haven’t announced their events yet but I’ll keep updating this post as they do. You can also follow me on Facebook for the latest events and recommendations;
One thing I have noticed is that the prices for activities have gone up since last year, in some cases quite a lot. It’s also quite hard to find October half term activities across Bucks, Beds, Oxon and Herts that don’t have anything to do with Halloween. For more general (plus lots of free and really cheap) family days out have a look at the FTwtK map by clicking the button below.
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Hi, I’m Vicky. My husband and I live in Aylesbury with our three children; a 14 year old son, an 12 year old son and a 6 year old daughter. I (mostly) love spending time together as a family. We visit all kinds of places and we’re quite happy to drive a fair distance for a decent day out. A few years ago I decided to set up Free Time with the Kids as a way to share our experiences of these family days out.
You’ll find the essential information you need to know before your visit that can be surprisingly hard to find out. Where do I park? How much will it cost me to get in? Are there any discounts available? Are there loos? Can I take a picnic or get food? My aim is to be your go-to guide for all your free and cheap family days out across Bucks, Beds, Oxon, Herts & slightly beyond. I really hope you find the reviews helpful. If there’s anywhere that you’d recommend please get in touch contact@freetimewiththekids.com or get in touch via Facebook