Where to spend October half term

Home to the UK’s surf reserve and the Dark Sky Reserve at the National Park, it is no surprise that the North Devon area is known as England’s Adventure Coast.

This year, Exmoor Zoo is offering more than a chance to get up close with your favourite creatures – join them for their Halloween Spooktacular, with fun for the whole family taking place daily, this is one not to be missed. Just make sure to book your tickets before hand to avoid disappointment.

For some truly terrifying half term thrills, head to Watermouth Castle. Their Descend into Darkness event is suitable for those aged 12 and over, but the rest of the castle has fun suitable for everyone! Take part in the Great Halloween Challenge and the Trick or Treat Treasure Trail or make friends with creepy crawlies at the Bug Brunch!

There’s fun and games at the Milky Way too, their school for witches and wizards is back for half term, as well as a host of other family friendly activities. During half term, you’ll also have the chance to meet your favourite Star Wars characters as the Storm Troopers descend.

It isn’t all spooks and thrills this half term, Quince Honey Farm are here with a more gentle pace. Join them to celebrate their apple and honey harvest, where you can learn about the traditions of the autumn season and even create your own candles as part of their themed activities. For those of you with tiny humans to entertain this half term, be sure to visit the Big Sheep for their Halloween Toddler Take Over, where the smallest members of the family can take charge and enjoy a day at the farm. There’s plenty for the bigger kids too, with the rest of their Half Term offering, with every child receiving a pumpkin to take home and carve!

Image: Quince Honey Farm

At RHS Rosemoor, you can learn about the gardens’ more dangerous plants, all while taking part in craft activities, including pumpkin decorating. There will also be storytime sessions during half term, which will be a chance for the parents to relax!

If you’re in the mood to party, Dartington Crystal cordially invites you to the Mad Hatters’ Tea Party on 31^st October. Experience Halloween like you never have before here, follow the pumpkin trail, indulge in some devilish treats and join in the spine tingling fancy dress competition. You never know the Mad Hatter himself may even make an appearance…

Covering the English Riviera, South Hams, the city of Plymouth and parts of Dartmoor, South Devon has coast, countryside and some of the best loved attractions in the county.

In the city of Plymouth, you’ll find a host of events, including live music and theatre productions, as well as the usual fun of a city, as well as additional activities at the city’s attractions and museums. At the Box, there are lots of creative arts and crafts activities taking place throughout half term at various times of day – so there is always something to keep you occupied – and even better, it’s all free!

If you’re in the English Riviera, make sure to stop off at Babbacombe Model Village for their Halloween celebrations. The model village has been invaded by all sorts of supernatural creatures and visitors can also take part in the mini Pumpkin Hunt, there are even treats for those that find them all!

For those of you who are near Dartmoor, make sure to visit Pennywell Farm for their Pumpkin Festival. Running until 3^rd November, you can join in all the usual activities plus enjoy the festival, all as part of your normal entry fee. Throughout half term you can visit their pumpkin patch, take part in seasonal games, toast marshmallows, listen to live music and judge the scarecrows in their dress up competition!

Image: Pennywell Farm 

Featuring the Jurassic Coast and the city of Exeter, the East Devon area is full of things to do this half term. From autumnal walks around the coast paths to trips on trams and visits to the city, you’ll find plenty to entertain you.

At Crealy Theme Park, you’re invited to Spook Fest. Billed as the spookiest day out this half term, there are loads of new themed attractions for this year’s half term, and every child gets to take home a pumpkin! Do you dare stay at the Creaky Hotel? If not, take a trip through the Scarecrow Maze and see what other horrors are there to jump out at you.

On the outskirts of Exeter, you’ll find National Trust Killerton. As you can expect, there are plenty of thrills this half term, including seasonal games and activities and a pumpkin trail for any visitors this half term.

Elsewhere, visit the village of Beer to spend a day out at Pecorama. Throughout half term, you can follow the Halloween Trail, where you can help their resident witch, Winnifred collect everything she needs for her latest potion. Don’t forget that costumes are encouraged and there are prizes available each day for everyone who comes dressed to impress. During the evening, things get really spooky with their ghost train rides, do you dare stay after dark?

It isn’t just the trains that are being haunted in East Devon, the trams are too! Trick or Tram is taking place at Seaton Tramway from 30^th October. Meet Jack O’Lantern, your guide, who will take you on a magical journey full of giggles, grins and of course, spooks!

If you dare, stop off at Wildwood Devon and take on the Scare Maze. If you’re brave enough, make your way through the maze of the Forsaken Forest and confront the Witch of Wildwood. Once you’ve conquered the maze, there are more spooks to delight you at the Saxon village!

There's also half term fun to be had at World of Country Life with spooky Halloween activities including pumpkin carving, a fangtastic Halloween Trail AND the ‘Goatbusters: Frozen Empire’ mini show is hilarious family fun, not to be missed!

If its countryside you’re after, make sure to spend half term in Mid Devon. With an abundance of heritage attractions – perfect for telling ghost stories and lots of opportunities for autumnal walks, this region offers the quintessential countryside get away.

If you do want to get into the spirit of the season, Coldharbour Mill, one of the oldest working wool mills in the UK is sprucing up the mill for their Steam and Scream event. Fancy dress is encouraged and not only do you get to see the mill come to life, but there are several themed activities running throughout the day on 31^st October too.

Image: Coldharbour Mill