October half term things to do
Whether you’re a local searching for ways to keep the little ones entertained or a visitor seeking a unique experience, Cornwall promises a hauntingly good time this half term!
National Maritime Museum Cornwall
Discover a world of swashbuckling fun at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, where shadowy tales from the old Cornish coast awaits.
Follow the Halloween Trail and find the shadowy scenes around the Museum to explore Cornwall's spooky myths and legends, all while exploring the Pirate exhibition.
In the main hall, shadow pirate puppet stories and songs are guaranteed to captivate the imagination of little ones. Draw inspiration from the exhibition and puppet show to craft your very own Cornish mythical puppet, perfect for crafting your own tales of shadows and suspense.
Newquay's Zombie Crawl
Newquay’s eagerly anticipated Zombie Crawl is set to make a return on Saturday 26th October and promises to be more spooktacular than ever.
While full details of the event are yet to be unveiled, you can already expect a host of spine-chilling activities that will prepare you for an unforgettable day. Start your zombie transformation with face painting sessions and elevate your undead style at zombie outfit making workshops, where you can craft a head-turning costume for the crawl.
Halloweden
Get up close and personal with weird and wonderful creepy crawlies at the Eden Project this October half term. Meet real-life critters from around the world, including Chilean tarantulas and giant African snails. Visit the marvellous bug fair, whizz around the ice rink, embark on a mega bug safari, settle down for spooky campfire stories and toast marshmallows around the fire pit.
Paradise Park
Test your wildlife knowledge while diving into a world of frightfully fascinating facts with Paradise Park’s Pumpkin Quiz. Wander through the park as you follow the pumpkin trail, discovering curious and spooky tidbits about the animal kingdom at each stop. Time your visit just right and make the most of ‘Meet & Greet’ sessions with some of their star birds, close encounters and the Lorikeet feeding time plus otter feeding and penguin talks.
The Milky Way Adventure Park
Families can look forward to a spooktacular time filled with fun rather than fright at The Milky Way. From Saturday 26th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024, the park is adding a dash of Halloween magic to its usual mix of thrilling rides and attractions. Little ones can join the School for Witches and Wizards, where they'll learn spell writing, potion making, and more under the guidance of lively, larger-than-life tutors. For those who love a bit of bumping around, the Spooky Swamp Dodgems await, alongside Merlin's themed show that promises to delight with its special brand of Halloween fun. The atmosphere is sure to be enchanting with the park dressed in its Halloween best.
Camborne Tykes n Trikes
Camborne’s streets will once again be bustling with excitement as the children’s bike race returns for its 4th year on Sunday 27th October. Young riders will have the chance to be armed with free face painting from 8:30am before participating in either the Tots (0-5 yrs) or Tykes (6-10) category and will receive a goodie bag and certificate.
Tots Race starts at 9:30am
Tykes Race starts 10:00am
National Lobster Hatchery
Escape the cold and step into a world of wonder in Lob Tropicana at the National Lobster Hatchery. Explore glowing marine exhibits, immerse yourself in vibrant neon lights and let the lobsters light up your day.
Halloween Half Term at Pendennis Castle
Grab your broomsticks and get ready for a bewitchingly brilliant day out at Pendennis Castle. Gather round and prepare to be enthralled as you listen to stories spun by our spooky storytellers. Your little monsters will giggle and gasp at these kid-friendly tales – hear about ghostly encounters, eerie folklore and unexplained happenings, all against the backdrop of Falmouth’s creepy castle!
When you’re ready to walk off the goosebumps, take part in our Halloween Quest around the grounds. Hunt for hidden clues, answer ghoulish questions and solve the puzzles to become a Halloween Hero!
National Trust events
There’s plenty of Autumn and Halloween themed fun to be had at National Trust sites across Cornwall.
Antony
Tue 29 to Thu 31 Oct. 12-4.30pm
Pick up your trail sheet and use the pumpkins as your guide to find various autumn inspired activities around the garden. Do you dare to take on the pumpkin kerplunk, listen to spooky stories in the storytelling area, or take part in the fancy dress competition? Price includes a pumpkin trail sheet and a velvet pumpkin prize.
Price: £2 per trail (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Glendurgan Garden
Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov (excluding Mon 28 Oct). 10.30am-5pm
Celebrate autumn’s vibrant colours at Glendurgan Garden. Create wild art in the orchard and throughout the garden while experiencing the magic of autumn. Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Godolphin
Daily from Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10am-5pm (4pm close from Nov 1)
This October half-term find out more about apple harvest through the years at Godolphin and discover more about apple folklore. Enjoy apple pressing in the Cider House (dates tbc), get crafting, do some apple collecting in the Orchard, make muddy apple pies in the Mud-Pie kitchen, and more!
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Lanhydrock
Daily Sat 26 Oct to Sat 2 Nov. 10.30am-4pm
This October half-term, have an adventure at Lanhydrock as you search for the Cornish Pixies hiding in the gardens. Some cheeky Cornish Pixies have stolen some items from the house at Lanhydrock. Can you find them all and get what they've taken back to where it belongs?
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Tintagel Old Post Office
Daily Mon 21 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 11am-3.30pm
Take a trip to the Old Post Office in Tintagel and take part in their popular Ultra Violet torch trail around the house to win a prize.
Price: £1.50 per trail (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Trelissick
Daily 26 Oct to 2 Nov. 10am-4.30pm
Soak in the colours of the changing season with an autumnal trail guiding you through the garden at Trelissick.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Trerice
Daily Mon 28 Oct to Fri 1 Nov. 10.30am-4.30pm
Enjoy dragon themed activities, including storytelling and ‘Trerice dragon school’ where you can learn how to train your dragon.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Autumn at Heligan is a time to celebrate the harvest and the rich traditions that come with it. This half term, Heligan brings back outdoor family activities that honour this season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Engage in traditional Corn Dolly workshops, where you can learn the ancient craft, and participate in the Heligan Harvest Big Draw, where artists of all levels can create colorful drawings of the garden's abundant produce.
Young visitors can enjoy harvest tastings, apple pressing, and a spooky family trail that tells the tales of witches from folklore. In The Barn, children can craft potions and wands, while the Screech Owl Sanctuary shares the mystical stories of these birds associated with witchcraft. Don't forget to warm up by the fire pit with toasted marshmallows, and join the lively ceilidhs on October 20th and 27th to round off a week of celebrations. Come dressed for all weathers and be ready to enjoy the magic of the season at Heligan!
Royal Cornwall Museum
From Monday 28th October, free activities will run from 10am – 4pm everyday as TECgirls take charge of museum airspace with their Reach for the Sky Paper Plane Challenge.
Children can come and learn how to make three different paper planes inspired by pioneering women in British aviation history, before embarking a series of challenges in the flight zone exploring how design impacts flight.
Also running throughout October half term are free family activities alongside the current exhibition, RNLI: 200 Years of Saving Lives at Sea including themed dressing up, board games, creative play and photo opportunities with ‘Stormy Sam’.
On Friday 1st November the museum plays host to Coppice Theatre’s award-winning production How to Catch a Book Witch - a huge hit with audiences at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer.
It follows the story of Kira - whose beloved library is threatened with closure - and her new friend Book Worm. When words start to go missing and book monsters appear in their place, the pair must discover if there’s a Book Witch causing all the trouble - and what can be done to bring the stories back to life.
There will be two performances, one at 10.30am and one at 2.30pm, with tickets available via Eventbrite.
Join Us This October Half-Term for a Frightful Adventure with Bugs and Mini Beasts!
Looking for a fun activity to spook up your October half-term? Dive into the creepy-crawly world of bugs and mini beasts at the Cornish Seal Sanctuary.
In line with our seal pup naming theme this season, we are inviting you to come and meet our rescue pups and residents and take part in our ‘Bugs and Mini beasts’ Halloween trail, enjoy some ‘creepy crafts’ and get back to nature.
Suitable for families and children of all ages, our spooky, nature-filled trail is the perfect way to spend the half-term! Why not dress in your favourite witch or wizard costume and join us for a spellbinding day! Plus, on Halloween ( 31st Oct) Connie's Creatures displays her spine-chilling bone collection in our marquee, shedding light on the eerie anatomy of our beloved Cornish marine species with an interactive Natural History exhibition.
Our dedicated teams will also be holding seal pup rescue demonstrations throughout the week, alongside regular feeds and talks to share our resident puffin and seal rescue stories.
Join us for a fun family day out and learn about our important Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release mission to help seals in need.
You can save 20% on tickets by booking online at least two days in advance. All our tickets give you re-entry to the Sanctuary for 12 months…So you can come and visit your favourite residents again and again!
Pumpkin Fest at Camel Creek Adventure Park
Looking for a spook-tacular autumn day out? Join us at Camel Creek for Pumpkin Fest - a seasonal celebration packed with pumpkins, cosy autumn vibes, scenic photo spots, and all the adventure you could want! Plus, expect family-friendly frights and hauntingly good fun around every corner!
🎃 Pumpkin Patch: Every child receives a free pumpkin* (while stocks last). Plus, grab a mini wheelbarrow to pick your perfect pumpkin! Extra pumpkins available for purchase.
👻 Halloween Fun: Enjoy spooky surprises throughout the park, including our thrilling House of Horrors, Trick or Treat doors, and more!
🔥 Marshmallow Toasting: Warm up with a toasty treat at our festival field. Extra charge applies.
🎭 Live Spooky Entertainment: Enjoy eerie performances for the whole family!
🧸 Toddler Takeover: On Thurs 24th & Fri 25th October, we’ll be hosting toddler-friendly activities, rides will be closed, and entertainment is tailored just for little ones.
🎢 Final Ride of the Season: Take your final ride of the season on Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, and Sunday 3rd November, before some attractions, including our water rides, close for winter!
Don't miss out! Book online now and save up to 20%, plus take advantage of our FREE Return offer!*
*Terms and conditions apply. Tickets are available on select dates, so be sure to visit our website for all the details.
Halloween fun this half term at Cornwall Gold
Join us this half term and Halloween and become a Cornwall Gold ghost hunter, between the 18th of October and the 3rd of November!
We recently opened a trap door below the Tolgus Tin Mill that had been locked for over 100 years and in doing so we released 6 terrifying Tolgus ghosts! Pick up your free map as you enter Cornwall Gold and head on a ghost hunt to find each ghost dotted around our site. Once you have them you will be crowned a Cornwall Gold Ghost Hunter and get a free sweet treat!
Parents beware – you may even get goosebumps when you read about the chilling stories from our mill’s past!
Do you dare to take part?
Get your free ghost map from the 18th of October until the 3rd of November.
ENJOY A SPOOKY KID’S MEAL DEAL!
This half term we are serving up a spooky Halloween meal deal for just £7.95 that includes one of our popular homemade kid’s main meals and a pot of vanilla ice cream topped with sweet, slimy Tolgus Mill worms!
Join us for one of the major highlights in the Lappa Valley events calendar!
Join us on two dates this year for one of our spectacular fireworks displays. Our historic 19th Century Engine House is brought alive by the Kernow Fireworks Company with a dazzling display of rockets, fountains, candles and more!
As for pre show entertainment, from when the first train of visitors arrives at about 5.30, The Engine Shed featuring our indoor soft play area will be open for children to let off steam and you’ll be able to enjoy a ride on the Lakeside Railway too prior to the show starting at around 7.30.
Theres plenty to eat and drink too! Our cafe will be open serving a range of delicious hot and cold food, snacks as well as soft and alcoholic beverages.
Our well stocked glow products stall will be on hand to purchase glow sticks, glow glasses, headbands and more.
Your weekly dose of Cornish cheer!
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