When it comes to creating magical memories for children, half term is the perfect opportunity to blend luxury with wonder. From candlelit castles to immersive art installations, pumpkin-dotted estates to wizarding teas, these are the most exceptional family experiences in the UK this October, where imagination meets indulgence, and every moment feels unforgettable.
1. Pumpkin Patch Staycation at Down Hall Hotel, Spa & Estate
Location: Essex (near Bishop’s Stortford)
For an idyllic countryside escape within an hour of London, the Pumpkin Patch Staycation at Down Hall offers wholesome autumnal charm with a touch of elegance. Families can roam through 110 acres of parkland, pick pumpkins at the nearby Cammas Hall patch, then return to roaring fires, a hot chocolate kit, and a Halloween craft box. The package includes an overnight stay for two adults and two children, breakfast, pumpkin-picking tickets, and full access to the hotel’s leisure facilities.
2. The Enchanted Forest: Luminara, Faskally Wood, Scotland
Every year, Perthshire’s Enchanted Forest turns into a spectacle of light and storytelling: but 2025’s theme, Luminara, takes immersion to new heights. Families will step into a glowing woodland alive with interactive projections and symphonic soundscapes, where every child becomes a “Chosen Reconnector” tasked with restoring the forest’s fading light. The setting in Faskally Wood is pure autumn magic: golden leaves, mirrored lakes, and pathways that pulse with digital energy.
3. Frameless London: The Art of You
Location: Marble Arch, London
Ranked the number one art gallery in London on TripAdvisor, Frameless invites families into a world where art surrounds, moves, and responds to them. This half term, the exhibition introduces The Art of You, a playful, high-tech photo experience that lets visitors transform into living art, from Monet-like brushstrokes to swirling Van Gogh hues. It’s a chic, immersive day out that inspires creativity across generations.
4. Little School of Sorcery at Haddon Hall
Location: Bakewell, Derbyshire | Dates: 22–31 October 2025
At one of England’s most enchanting historic houses, Haddon Hall invites children to unlock their inner wizard. The Little School of Sorcery offers broomstick-making, spell-writing workshops, and spooky crafts in 17th-century stables — followed by a tour through the candlelit MAGIC exhibition exploring Elizabethan enchantments. A magical map leads little wizards through hidden corners of the hall, where owls await in the banqueting room and ghostly tales whisper through ancient stone walls.
5. Horrible Histories Takeover at Raby Castle
Location: County Durham | Until 9 November 2025
This half term, Raby Castle transports families back to the Middle Ages with a wickedly funny Horrible Histories twist. Each grand chamber reveals gruesome tales of knights, nobles, and pitiful peasants — told with the humour and mischief of Terry Deary’s beloved books. The Family Explorer ticket also includes access to the Deer Park and The Plotters’ Forest, blending education and outdoor adventure seamlessly.
6. Pony Camp Holiday at Boreatton Park & Windmill Hill
Location: Shropshire & Sussex
The PGL Pony Camp is a quintessential countryside escape for young riders, blending luxury lodgings, structured equestrian lessons, and thrilling outdoor activities like zip-lining and archery. Under expert tuition, children learn grooming, stable care, and riding confidence, while parents relax knowing their little equestrians are in expert hands.
7. Wensleydale Creamery Family Experience
Location: Hawes, Yorkshire Dales | 18 October – 2 November 2025
Set in the heart of the Dales, the Wensleydale Creamery offers a deliciously educational escape for food-loving families. Children under 16 enjoy free entry this half term, exploring the art of cheesemaking through live demos and hands-on tasting sessions. The Taste of Yorkshire room pairs regional specialties with the creamery’s world-famous cheese, and Calvert’s Restaurant serves hearty seasonal dishes against rolling green views.
8. Wizard Afternoon Tea at the Georgian House Hotel
Location: Pimlico, London
Step through the secret entrance of a Georgian townhouse into London’s most magical tea experience. The Wizard Afternoon Tea blends British tradition with spellbinding theatrics: potion bottles, candlelight, and gothic décor set the mood for an enchanting feast. Children can join potion-making sessions using dry ice and colour-changing elixirs, while adults sip champagne or “bottomless bubbles.” It’s Hogwarts meets high tea, complete with whimsy and wonder.
9. The Great Pumpkin Adventure at Castle Howard
Location: North Yorkshire | 25 October – 2 November 2025
Roll up to Castle Howard’s Skelf Island Adventure Playground for The Great Pumpkin Adventure, a lively outdoor play starring the mischievous Skelves. Expect storytelling theatre, interactive games, and plenty of pumpkin-filled fun performed three times a day. Families can roam the estate’s glorious grounds before settling into the boathouse café for seasonal treats.
10. Hercules the Musical at Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Location: Covent Garden, London
For a showstopping finale to half term, Hercules the Musical brings Disney’s animated legend to life on stage with a dazzling West End production. Directed by Casey Nicholaw (of The Book of Mormon fame), it blends myth, comedy, and spectacular choreography for a production that’s both heroic and hilarious. Families can enjoy an early dinner in Covent Garden before curtain up, the perfect city night for all ages.
