What to Do this October Half Term Across the North East and Yorkshire
The half term holidays are here!
LILIDOREI
Children’s imaginations can run wild at the largest play structure in the world, where they will interact with soundscapes and actors called Secret Keepers to create their own story. This half term, Lilidorei is Spookydorei and children are encouraged to dress in their best Halloween costumes to take on a quest to find hidden objects throughout the village and vote for their favourite scarecrow in the annual Spooky Scarecrow Contest. From 24th to 30th October, visit after dark for trick or treating and spooky story time.
The Alnwick Garden, Gardeners Cottage, Greenwell Road, Alnwick NE66 1HB
01665 511350
lilidoreialnwick.co.uk
GO APE MATFEN
One for adrenaline junkies, at Go Ape Matfen you can take on the treetop challenge featuring a Tarzan swing and zip wires, or have a go at axe throwing. Then, why not make the most of your day by exploring Hadrian's Wall and Northumberland National Park, just a short drive away?
Newcastle NE20 0RH
01603 895500
goape.co.uk
HAMSTERLEY FOREST
County Durham’s largest forest, Hamsterley spans 2,000 hectares along the side of a sheltered valley, and you can spend a whole day exploring its trails on foot or two wheels. There’s wooden adventure play structures and it’s the perfect picnic spot too. Keep your eyes peeled for the Gruffalo! Children can follow the Stick Man on his forest adventure, and there’s even a special trail for four-legged visitors.
Bedburn, Hamsterley DL13 3NL
01388 488312
forestryengland.uk
WILLIAM’S DEN
Step into an outdoor Halloween experience at William’s Den this half term. Explore crooked houses on Trick or Treat Street and enjoy live performances. Elsewhere, children can build dens and make friends in the sandpit, and there’s an indoor playground too. Stick around until after dark for fancy dress competitions and Insta-worthy moments.
Castle Farm, Wold Hill, North Cave HU15 2LS
01430 472230
williamsden.co.uk
BEAMISH
Go back in time at Beamish Museum this half term – from ghostly goings-on to 1950s UFO sightings, discover the region’s folklore from Saturday 25th October to Sunday 2nd November. There’ll be storytelling, folk music and the chance to see how Halloween was traditionally observed, all at the open air museum.
Beamish DH9 0RG
0191 370 4000
beamish.org.uk
THE PLOTTERS’ FOREST
Let the kids run free in Raby Castle’s immersive adventure playground within their Christmas tree plantation, while parents can relax among the treetops on the deck of the Plotters’ Pantry. Plus, from 25th October to 1st November you can experience The Plotters’ Forest after dark. Meanwhile in the castle you can time travel back to the Measly Middle-Ages (until 9th November) inspired by the bestselling Horrible Histories books.
Staindrop DL2 3NF
01833 660888
raby.co.uk
EDEN CAMP
Award-winning and dog-friendly Eden Camp was built on the site of a real prisoner of war camp, and in each hut you can discover different areas of wartime Britain on the home front and the front line. This half-term there’ll be secret missions and wartime stories from 25th October to 2nd November, and budding detectives can take part in a spy-themed Code Cracker Trail.
Malton YO17 6RT
01653 697777
edencamp.co.uk
RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR
The most northerly of all the RHS gardens, Harlow Carr has woodlands, streamside plantings, herbaceous borders, wildflower meadows and small-scale model gardens to explore. This half term children will meet creepy-crawlies with Zoolab and have a chance to explore the pumpkin trail before taking part in fun crafts.
Crag Lane, Beckwithshaw, Harrogate HG3 1QB
01423 565418
rhs.org.uk
LIFE SCIENCE CENTRE
A science hub in the city, Life Science Centre will engage curious minds – and it’s celebrating its 25th birthday this year! This Halloween, meet dinosaurs in a new theatre show that explores how our minds are tricked, get hands-on with slime, and don’t miss the spooky disco.
Times Square, Newcastle NE1 4EP
0191 243 8210
life.org.uk
DISCOVERY MUSEUM
There’s something to learn on every visit to the Discovery Museum, with scientific collections and rotating exhibitions. Visitors are greeted by the imposing Turbinia, a 34-metre steam ship that was once the fastest in the world. Interact with science in the science maze and delve into the city’s history with the Newcastle Story. You can also discover how the North East helped to crack the Enigma Code, and discover the story of migrants who have chosen to make Tyneside their home at Destination Tyneside. On 29th October children aged three to five can enjoy story time, the following day there’s a spooky disco, and from 25th October to 2nd November families will have fun following the spooky museum trail.
Blandford Square, Newcastle NE1 4JA
0191 232 6789
discoverymuseum.org.uk
BALTIC
With four floors of art to explore and constantly rotating exhibitions at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, kids will love the sensory room, and you can explore the library which holds more than 13,000 books on contemporary art and visual culture. This half term, there’s an interactive story time session on 30th October before a family bike ride along the River Tyne on Halloween.
Gateshead Quays, South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA
0191 478 1810
baltic.art
BUTTERFLY WORLD
Located in Preston Park, Butterfly World is home to more than 140 species of butterfly and hundreds of tropical host plants. Witness the vividly-coloured butterflies close up and learn more about them, then head to the meerkat house to see the adorable clan in their specialised habitat. There are also insects, reptiles, fish and even monkeys to see here. Visit now before it closes for the season on 31st October.
Preston Park, Yarm Road, Stockton TS18 3RH
butterflyworld.uk
SCIENCE AND MEDIA MUSEUM
Bradford’s National Science and Media Museum explores the science and culture of image and sound technologies through exciting workshops, exhibitions and events. Visitors are invited to think like a scientist in the Wonderlab and get hands-on in a variety of activities – and there are changing events throughout the year to engage children with science. From 25th October to 2nd November, bingo meets tech meets comedy in an interactive, smartphone-powered comedy act like no other.
Bradford BD1 1NQ
0330 058 0058
scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk
XSCAPE
Want to ski on real snow without having to leave the UK? Xscape’s Snozone is a mustvisit for both beginners and pros. But with themed climbing walls to tackle, escape rooms, laser tag, bowling, VR simulators, immersive cinema pods, and glow-in-the-dark golf, you can easily spend the whole day here. Your kids will be obsessed with the UK’s first high street slime store and you can let little ones run free at soft play. Don’t miss the Halloween Laser Tag Bash on 30th October.
Colorado Way, Castleford WF10 4TA
01977 664794
xscapeyorkshire.co.uk
YORK’S CHOCOLATE STORY
York’s most famous chocolate-making families are celebrated at York’s Chocolate Story where visitors can even learn to become a chocolatier themselves. Enjoy a guided tour and three floors of interactivity to discover York’s rich chocolate making history – the perfect family day out for half term. Don’t miss the VIP chocolate masterclasses and truffle rolling experiences too.
King’s Square, York YO1 7LD
yorkschocolatestory.com
EUREKA! THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
For both an educational and fun day out, this children’s museum in Halifax is where kids up to 11 get to spend a day focused on the business of play. There are six unique zones to discover here, filled with hundreds of interactive exhibits to inspire young minds. Things are getting spooky this half term with interactive story time and a chance to make creepy creations using recycled materials from 25th October to 2nd November.
Discovery Road, Halifax HX1 2NE
01422 330069
eureka.org.uk
