There’s always something fun to do in North Devon, not only is it the UK’s first surf reserve because of the perfect environment for watersports but the Exmoor National Park is also the UK’s first dark skies reserve, making it ideal for stargazing and there are a host of attractions and activities for the whole family. This half term, if you find yourself in the region, you’ll see there are lots of additional activities taking place. Here are a selection of things to check out if you’re in the area over half term.
Because Halloween falls at the end of half term, you’ll find that there are plenty of spooky fun times planned, including a Halloween themed event at The Milky Way. From Saturday 22nd until 30th October, you can join the School for Witches and Wizards, bump around on spooky dodgems and then meet Merlin himself. That’s on top of all the usual fun and games that are on offer!
The younger members of the family can creep it real too at The Big Sheep for their Halloween Toddler Take Over, which is just one of the activities coming to the park for half term. Check out live animal shows, rides and all the usual activities, as well as taking part in pumpkin carving and showing off your costumes, there are prizes for the best dressed!
For those of you who want to see the seasons change this half term, head to RHS Rosemoor where there are always extra events for school holidays. During October half term, you can find out more about some of the deadliest plants and bugs in a week’s worth of fun. On top of that, there are craft workshops, pumpkin painting, special appearances from the tram at Exmoor Zoo and Witch Hazel’s Halloween Party! Taking place on 29th October, Witch Hazel’s party gives you a chance to dress up in your scariest outfits and join in with singing, dancing and party games! Speaking of Exmoor Zoo, they have their own Halloween events taking place over half term. Find out more here.
Lynton and Lynmouth Cliff Railway are also hosting a spooky Halloween event this half term. Visit the railway at night to discover more about its hidden past and get a ride from a zombie driver! It’s super for all ages, and there is lots of ghostly fun to be had!
Join in a spooky themed dance party at the Landmark Pavilion Theatre in Ilfracombe Don’t worry though, it isn’t all about Halloween this half term, at the Queen’s Theatre in Barnstaple, you can catch performances of Shrek the Musical or just indulge in some good old fashioned autumn fun by picking pumpkins in Barnstaple. There are global Pumpkin Picking events taking place on 22nd October all across the world, so even if you’re not in Barnstaple, there may be another one near you.
Alternatively, you can stay away from all the spooks by joining in some of the events taking place as part of the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival. As we said, the Exmoor National Park, which covers parts of North Devon is a Dark Skies Reserve because of its lack of pollution which provides some incredible views of the night sky. On a clear night, you can see the edge of the galaxy, constellations and more. Starting on 13th October, there are a host of events taking place across the National Park, running through to the end of half term. You can find out more here.
Looking for more events happening in North Devon? You can find more here.
