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There's so much to keep the kids entertained this October half term in the Cotswolds, from Halloween themed activities to heritage events, wildlife experiences to hands-on workshops.
Pumpkin Patch
Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park
Fri, Sat & Sun from 6 October and 26 – 31 October 2023
Step into a world of autumn magic at the Pumpkin Patch! Cotswold Farm Park are thrilled to invite you and your loved ones to a truly delightful experience amidst the vibrant autumnal hues. Whether you're seeking the perfect pumpkin for carving, fantastic photo opportunities, or a fun-filled day out, they have something special in store for you...
Autumn Family Trail - The Ballad of Birtha
Westonbirt Arboretum
18 September - 30 November 2023
Birtha, the woodland spirit of autumn, has lost all her colour because she can’t find her forest friends!
Follow this brand-new autumn trail at Westonbirt, The National Arboretum to find her friends, restoring Birtha to her full colourful self. Barry the earthworm is your guide along the trail, offering fun facts, activities, and funny quips!
Trail created by children’s illustrator and author Duncan Beedie.
Ideal for families with children aged 3-9, but can be enjoyed by all.
Trail located in the Old Arboretum, graded ‘easy’.
Roadmap to the Future
British Motor Museum
21 October - 5 November 2023
The world is changing fast, especially the world of cars! Join the British Motor Museum this October Half-Term to discover a range of family activities inspired by four ways cars are changing: Energy, Control, Materials and Impact. Build a car of the future, take part in family trails, and be amazed by the ever-popular science shows!
Halloween at Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace
20 - 29 October 2023
As Halloween creeps closer and the days shorten, there's a chill in the air at Blenheim Palace where ghosts, ghouls and witches get ready to deliver a whole host of tricks and treats along a spooktacular trail.
Wander from dusk into darkness and through the spooky spider tunnel to be surprised by fantastic fire performers as you watch out for the headless horseman emerging from the mist. Discover scary scarecrows, listen to the werewolves' howl and dodge the grinning pumpkins as you approach the Vampires crypt but beware, you don't know what fanged monster lurks inside….
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Spooky Cellars
Woodchester Mansion
27 October - 5 November 2023
Creep into the darkness down below and meet the mysterious monk, the rattly skeletons, the scary spectres, the silent mummy, the slimy things in the stinky swamp - and the lovely Mansion volunteers. Suitable for ages 4 – 84! Afterwards, relax in the cafe with themed food or take the Golden Pumpkin Trail and explore the whole Mansion.
Trick or Tweet Weeks
Birdland
21 October - 5 November 2023
Head to Birdland this half term for Trick or Tweet Weeks; discover amazing facts about the resident birds, take part in the Pumpkin Trail around the gardens, listen to special Keeper Talks, and see which of the avian residents excel at their pumpkin challenge!
The Witch’s House
Grimm’s Fairy Tales brought to life at Cogges Manor Farm
20 - 29 October 2023
Spooky season has arrived at Cogges Manor Farm in Witney, and the Witch’s House is back for October half term! See this year's Grimm's Fairy Tales spine-tingling transformation of the historical Manor House, fairy tale Halloween outfits encouraged! Tiptoe through spooky rooms, and be scared-silly by spooktacular sights and sounds from Hansel and Gretel and other gruesome tales.
Go on a pumpkin trail around the Witch’s garden, and enjoy your own witches brew in the Cogges Kitchen Café with tasty Halloween-themed treats. Children's crafty activities during the week include making fabric ghosts, creating chilling chalk pictures, and spooky storytelling in the Stables. All ages welcome.
Witch's House After Dark – Grimm’s Fairy Tale folk LIVE!
Cogges Manor Farm
Sat 28 October 2023, 6-9pm
For even more scares, visit the Witch's House After Dark for Grimm's Fairy Tale folk LIVE! Follow the lit pumpkins and experience a theatrical, immersive tour of the Witch's House, with live actors. Enter if you dare! Finish with a visit to Cogges Kitchen Cafe, with fiendishly good food (available to pre-order), dastardly drinks and spooky surprises at the Witches Brew Inn! Fire pits and 'Smores in the Cafe courtyard - weather permitting.
For grown-ups and families, recommended for ages 8+ . Parental discretion is still advised, particularly for those that may be sensitive to the dark, lighting effects, sudden noises and surprises.
Share your spookiest photo on social media @cogges @coggeswitney #coggeswitch for the chance to win a prize!
Spooktacular Halloween Trail
Habitat Escapes
14 October - 5 November 2023
Follow the Halloween Trail around the grounds of the nature reserve and into the depths of the spooky woodlands! Keep an eye out for the pumpkins hidden along the way, and don’t forget to take a photo with each one you find – the spookiest, most creative photo will win a prize!
Mini Pumpkin Carving
Habitat Escapes
17 & 24 October 2023
Help decorate Ballihoo restaurant for Halloween and carve your spookiest pumpkin. There’ll be face painting and a Halloween pizza special to enjoy too.
Nature Crafts for Kids
Habitat Escapes
25 October 2023
Nature-based arts and crafts session with a twist, aiming to teach children about nature through fun and engaging crafts.
Nature Explorers
Habitat Escapes
25 October & 1 November 2023
A great opportunity for children to learn more about the Estate's wildlife. Join in an array of fun-filled activities such as pond dipping and bug hunting.
Family Nature Walk
Habitat Escapes
24 October 2023
Take a guided nature walk with Ecologist, James, and learn more about the wildlife on the Estate, but don't forget your wellies!
Woodland Animals in Charcoal and Soft Pastel
New Brewery Arts
2 & 3 November 2023
Soft pastels and charcoal are great to learn to draw with as they are easy to blend and create beautiful results. Hannah will show you how to successfully use various mark making techniques to create an artwork you will be proud of.
Suitable for young people aged 5 - 11 years old.
Enchanted Woodlands in Watercolour and Wax Resist
New Brewery Arts
2 & 3 November 2023
Watercolour and wax resist is a fun technique which gives fantastic results. Create a beautiful artwork inspired by real and imaginary creatures of the forest!
Suitable for young people aged 5 - 11 years.
Owl Sculptures in Modroc
New Brewery Arts
2 & 3 November 2023
Have a fun-filled morning creating an owl sculpture. You will be shown how to make your model using newspaper and cardboard and then cover it with modroc. You will add painted details and feathers to really make your owl sculpture come to life.
Modroc is a plaster-infused bandage used by artists to create sculptures. The Modroc is cut into strips, made wet and then shaped around a newspaper model. It then sets hard, creating a solid sculpture that can then be decorated with a range of mediums such as paint.
Suitable for young people aged 8 - 12 years.
Autumn Landscapes and Trees in Watercolour
New Brewery Arts
2 & 3 November 2023
Watercolours are fun to use and give great results. Experiment with various techniques and create studies inspired by nature and the change in season.
Suitable for young people aged 12 - 17 years old.
Grand Designs
Chedworth Roman Villa
21 – 29 October 2023
Come and learn how master craftspeople designed, built and decorated one of the grandest villas in Britain.
Chedworth Roman Villa has majestic mosaics, beautiful bathhouses and expertly engineered hypocausts (underfloor heating systems). Striking examples of jewellery, wall plaster and statues have been found on site. This Half Term, come and experience how master craftspeople built and decorated this 'Grand Design' over 1700 years ago.
There will also be games, puzzles and picnicking for the whole family.
A highlight of the programme will be Roman Crafts Day on 28 October when craftspeople, artists, and designers gather to showcase their methods and creations.
Roman Crafts Day
Chedworth Roman Villa
Saturday 28 October 2023
Travel back 1700 years and immerse yourself in a world of design, skill and creativity.
Master mosaicists will show you how Chedworth’s floors were created, metal workers will recreate Roman artefacts and spinners and weavers will demonstrate how to work with ancient wools and fabrics. There will also be an opportunity to meet the makers of popular items from the Chedworth shop including jewellery, jams and Roman games.
October Half Term Spider Trail
Dyrham Park
19 October - 1 November 2023
Crawl your way around Dyrham Park with a super spider trail around the 270-acre site. There will be clues and facts about our favourite eight-legged friends to tie in with the half-term holiday and halloween.
eek! Week
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
21 October - 5 November 2023
A fantastic, fun wildlife learning eek!sperience for all the family.
Are you brave enough to explore WWT Slimbridge's interactive trail? Discover an eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature this October half term.
Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked and engage all your senses as you make your way around the wetlands for a truly eek!citing experience.
Put your spookometer to the test with interactive activities. Will you dare to put your hand in a snake box, grab a photo op with a bat or get up close and personal with a toad? It's a weirdly wild day out for the whole family.
Autumn Showcase
Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway
28 - 29 October 2023
The GWSR autumn showcase event has the hustle and bustle of railways in their golden era. With an intensive timetable on offer fully utilising the railway, steam and diesel haulage, goods trains, brake van rides, footplate trips, behind-the-scenes access and on Sunday, running after dark, this is an event not to be missed.
October Half term at Snowshill Manor and Garden
Snowshill Manor and Garden
28 October - 5 November 2023
There are 10 theatre mask faces hidden around the Manor - will you be able to spot them all as you explore? Make sure to stop off at Seraphim to see the real collection and pick which one you think is the most scary.
In the Garden spot the signs of Autumn with some fun garden activities including a scavenger hunt, puppet shows and conkers noughts and crosses.
Spooky Storytelling
Newark Park
21 October – 5 November 2023
Visit the Drawing Room at 11.30am, 12.30pm and 1.30pm each day for a spooky storytelling session with one of the Park’s fabulous volunteers! There’s no need to book – just come along on the day.
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