Half term and Halloween are only a couple of weeks away so we thought we’d put together a list of lots of activities and events that will be happening during half term in the East Midlands in case you are looking for something to do. We always try to get out to one ‘special’ event during half term and the rest of the time will be spent at local parks, visiting family etc.
Chatsworth, Derbyshire
From 27th October to the 4th of November there are lots of Halloween activities going on that are included in the price of your ticket. Pumpkin Trails, face painting and reptile handling just to name a few.
For more information visit their website: https://www.chatsworth.org
Calke Abbey, Derbyshire.
From Mon 15 Oct to Fri 2 Nov Squirt’s Stable is open for some spooky activities, from 10.30am–4pm.
They also have a Pumpkin Party on Wed 31 Oct, from 11am–3.30pm. You can buy a pumpkin there or take your own. You will need a garden ticket to participate.
For more information visit their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/calke-abbey
[Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash]
Gulliver’s Kingdom, Derbyshire.
From the 13th of October you can experience Monster Magic at Gulliver’s Kingdom. Discover lots of awesome activities and attractions to make this trail a real treat. Don’t miss out on a trip to Leonard’s Scare School or prepare for a Wicked Costume Party on park. Get your picture taken at each stage as you transform into some seriously scary characters, from a wicked witch to Pumpkin Peat.
For more information visit their website: https://www.gulliversfun.co.uk/gullivers-kingdom-matlock-bath
Conkers, Derbyshire.
Conkers have loads going on this half term with live entertainment, ranger activities, paint-a-pot, 4D cinema, different shows and much more.
For more information visit their website: http://www.visitconkers.com
Robin Hood’s Wheelgate, Nottinghamshire.
Between October 13 – November 4 Robin Hood’s Wheelgate is transformed into the Lil’ Park of Horrors. With thousands of free pumpkins to carve, plus wicked workshops including magical wand making and broomstick flying masterclass, meet and greet Millie the friendly Monster and Grizelda the naughty Witch, creepy competitions, craft workshops and trick & treat boxes
For more information visit their website: https://www.wheelgatepark.com
Wollaton Hall, Nottinghamshire.
Wollaton Hall really do know how to do events, they have lots on for half term and Halloween this year. From Welly Boot Trails, Pumpkin Trails, Dinosaur exhibits and much more. If you are local it is always worth checking their website as they always have different events going on. I think we will be doing the Spooky Kids Tour this year 🙂
For more information visit their website: https://www.wollatonhall.org.uk
[Photo by Drew Hays on Unsplash]
Lakeside Arts, Nottinghamshire.
The Luminarium is back from the 20th October until the 28th October. We have yet to visit but it’s supposed to be awesome. We’ve been to a few shows at the theatre at Lakeside now and it is always really very entertaining. The kids love it and it’s so much cheaper than going to big theatres. They have the Snow Queen on the 21st October and the family Christmas show this year is Red Riding Hood which I am positive will be excellent.
For more information visit their website: https://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/home.html
White Post Farm, Nottinghamshire.
White Post Farm are running a Halloween Festival over October half term (27th October- 2nd November) this year. Learn to ride a broomstick at Broomstick School, get your hands dirty at one of their Slime Workshops, watch some magic tricks and even pick/carve your very own pumpkin!
For more information visit their website: http://www.whitepostfarm.co.uk
Twin Lakes, Leicestershire.
Is a Family Scream Park what you’re after? Then head to twin Lakes between the 13th October and 4th November for a family friendly fangtastic blend of Halloween fun! They have over 20,000 FREE pumpkins for kids to carve or paint. Wicked workshops including children’s crafts. Children’s fancy-dress is optional but they love it when you do! Find the ghouls and ghosts in the mummy family Halloween hunt.
For more information visit their website: https://www.twinlakespark.co.uk
National Space Centre, Leicestershire.
The National Space Centre is hosting a family Halloween party on the 27th October from 6pm. They are hosting the ultimate Halloween ex-FEAR-ience, with live Alien Encounters, Silent Disco, Slime Making and an out of this world Costume Competition… it will be positively defrightful.
For more information visit their website: https://spacecentre.co.uk
[Photo by Maddy Baker on Unsplash]
Belvoir Castle, Leicestershire.
Halloween activities in the Engine Yard from 27th to 31st October. Activities include apple bobbing, craft making, pumpkin carving, and many more fun activities for all ages!
For more information visit their website: https://www.belvoircastle.com
Rockingham Castle, Leicestershire.
The witches of Rockingham are gathering to celebrate a spooktacular Halloween at Rockingham Castle! Go and take part in the spooky activities they have been planning. A fun day out for all the family. Activities include: Quiz & Crossword in the Castle, Pumpkin Trail, Biscuit Decorating, Pumpkin Rolling down the Castle Battlements and Fancy Dress is encouraged! dates for these events are 16th to 18th October 2018 and 23rd to 25th October 2018.
For more information visit their website: http://www.rockinghamcastle.com
Hall Farm Park, Lincolnshire.
Halloween tractor rides, face painting, biscuit decorating and black cat hunts are some of the Halloween activities that Hall Farm Park have in store for you.
For more information visit their website: http://www.hallfarmpark.co.uk
Rand Farm Park, Lincolnshire.
Lots of spooky Halloween fun from the 20th October to the 28th October is going on at Rand Farm park this half term. Halloween crafts, free pumpkins to carve and much more.
For more information visit their website: https://randfarmpark.com
Belton House, Lincolnshire.
On Saturday 20 October, 10am – 4.30pm their is a Children’s Book Festival at Belton House where you can meet authors, illustrators and storytellers who inspire children of all ages from under-fives to teens. Working in partnership with Lincolnshire Children’s Book Group, celebrating their 50th anniversary. Lots of other half term activities are going on too.
For more information visit their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/belton-house
[Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash]
Lincoln Castle, Lincolnshire.
Step inside the Victorian Prison during Half Term and you will be sure to meet some unsavoury characters from Victorian England. Spooky Stories……. and Smelly Stories!
For more information visit their website: https://www.lincolncastle.com
Tattershall Castle, Lincolnshire.
Soak up the last of the autumn sunshine in the castle grounds and be prepared to get dressed to impress in your spookiest costumes. You’ll find the find the Great Tower creepier than ever with body parts in fireplaces and giant spiders in the basement (both not real we hasten to add). Get crafty in the Parlour and follow the Hallowe’en trail all around the castle.
For more information visit their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tattershall-castle
Wicksteed Park, Northamptonshire.
On the 27th October Wicksteed Park is hosting Wicky’s Little Monsters Ball. Wicky Bear is holding his annual Little Monsters Ball, and he can’t wait! He and his crew will be performing some spooktacular dances as well as hosting party games and a disco. Tickets are £6* for kids and £2* for adults. Come in fancy dress! Doors open 11.30am, party starts at 12noon to 2pm (*50p extra per person on the day of the party) – Babies under 12 months go free.
For more information visit their website: https://wicksteedpark.org
Canons Asbhy, Northamptonshire.
Join canons Ashby from 6 to 31 October for their traditional pumpkin trails. Your young explorers can search the gardens and grounds looking for the hidden pumpkins, answering questions as they go. Stickers to celebrate their success are available back at the coach house shop.
They are also hosting a children’s creative writing workshop: Spooky Stories. This is running on Thursday 25th October and is fantastic for children between around 8-12 years old, accompanied by a participating adult.
For more information visit their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canons-ashby
[Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash]
Lyveden, Northamptonshire.
Search the garden landscape on the brand new Hallowe’en themed family trail or see what’s happening in their ‘spooky’ Family Den.
For more information visit their website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lyveden
West Lodge Rural Centre, Northamptonshire.
Halloween Fun with Witch’s House Tours, Spooky Tractor rides and their huge Pumpkin Patch. The Ghost Hunt by Torchlight returns with a night of fun and scares around the grounds of the farm
For more information visit their website: http://www.westlodgeruralcentre.co.uk
If you are in the East Midlands and are hosting an event for half term or Halloween and I haven’t added you the do feel free to comment below with the details and for all your future events make sure you email us using the contact page 🙂
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Wow! So many great sounding places to go. We are down south so not as close as i’d like to try some out.
What a brilliant list. I had no idea there was so much to do with the kids. You’ve kicked me into action, I think I’m going to look st the space centre and gullivers kingdom as my 4 year old loved it there!
Oh wow, I wish I lived in the midlands, there’s so much going on!! I need to check to see what’s happening around by me as it’s always hard keeping the kids entertained in the holidays xx
I love Halloween events and it’s good to see so many taking place. Hope you get to enjoy some of them.
Ahh there’s so many to choose from!! Quite far from us though but has definitely inspired me to search for similar Halloween activities where I live x
wow there is so much to do your end of the country , i need to start looking what is on in Wales
Wow that’s a lot of Halloween events going on! I am not keen on Halloween myself, the masks scare me as I can’t see peoples faces. It’s great to see so many fun activities happening though.
Wow, so many fab aces to visit this Halloween if you’re in the area. I do like the sound of learning to ride a broomstick at White Post Farm. I could channel my inner witch!
They all sound great. I’m hoping to find a pumpkin patch to take our kids to for some carving as well as some cute pictures of our baby pumpkin!