There’s a frightening amount of ghoulish fun to be found at Devon’s Top Attractions this Half Term!
This October break there’s plenty to be scared about with a whole heap of chillingly fang-tastic spooky events across Devon. But don’t be afraid as there are also some great ways to celebrate the beauty of autumn with apple and honey harvesting, walks, trails, pumpkin hunting and carving that is perfect for those who don’t want anything too menacing on their holiday. At Devon’s Top Attractions there’s all sorts of half term days out to keep everyone entertained.
Anne Blackham, Marketing Manager at Devon Association of Tourist Attractions said ‘We have over twenty special autumn events at our attractions which are ready to give a big spooky welcome to their visitors. There are some super scary activities including ghostly tours and train rides, Halloween trails, pumpkin carving, fancy dress competitions, creepy shows and more. Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of Devon’s Top Attractions, so don’t miss out, it’s bound to be a scream!’
Spine-tingling activities in South Devon
Enjoy some miniature Halloween themed characters and scenes spooking their miniature residents at Babbacome Model Village from October 26th – 3rd November. Ghouls, ghosts and spooky scenes create havoc for their miniature residents. Kids can also enjoy the Miniature Pumpkin Hunt. All successful young explorers will take home their very own Halloween treat (suitable for children aged 3 years+). Plus, see the Spooky Illuminations on Oct 29th, 30th & 31st.
They’ve gone batty this half term at Kents Cavern! Decorate your very own egg-box bat, find the words missing from your bat fact sheet in the Bat Challenge, or find all the pumpkins hidden in the cave and collect a prize at the end of the tour. You’ll find an unusually large pumpkin in the visitor centre. Guess its weight correctly and you’ll be entered into a draw to win 4 annual memberships. Plus, there’s a Batty Joke Trail and Halloween costumes with fancy dress encouraged for any children visiting the site.
Head to Canonteign Falls for some spooky fun! Fancy dress is welcome all week! Join in the spooky code-cracking trail as you search for clues around the site to unlock the safe and win a small prize. It’s the perfect activity for little adventurers and their four-legged friends. After your adventure, refuel at the café with some deliciously spooky treats. Don’t miss out on this fang-tastic half-term experience! If that wasn’t enough they also have the return of the Alpaca Experience on 31st October.
Forestry England’s outdoor exhibition of Earth Photo shortlisted works returns to Haldon Forest Park. The free exhibition will be open from 15th October until 19th March 2025. Step among towering trees to explore 30 shortlisted images by photographers from around the world, reflecting on issues affecting the climate and life on our planet. The exhibition is located outdoors 100m from the car park, on a 0.5km accessible trail that is also suitable for Haldon’s all-terrain mobility scooters. Enjoy the exhibition walk by itself, or as part of a longer walk.
Buckfast Abbey welcome Julian from Brick Ideas for their first ever Lego Family Fun day on Friday 1st November. There will be loads of Lego to play with – construct your own thing or why not help them to build their very own Buckfast Abbey out of Lego?! So, grab your friends and family and come along to get creative! Book into one of the LEGO building sessions for just £2.50 per person. Sessions will be running from 10.00am – 12.30pm and 1.30pm – 4.00pm.
This half term there’s a fantastic 50% off day admission at River Dart Country Park. Explore large adventure playgrounds in over 90 acres of woodland and parkland. You’ll find free activity trails (look on the app) plus Dartmoor Bike Park & Dare Devil activities available on select dates at an additional cost. Book your autumn day admission at riverdart.co.uk.
You can join in with all your favourite activities plus the Pumpkin Festival at Pennywell. Even BIGGER and BETTER than last year, the 2024 Pumpkin Festival will include: access to the Pumpkin Patch, fabulously fun Pumpkin Trail, Live Music, Marshmallow Toasting Experience (extra fee), countless Instagrammable moments, Paddy the Pumpkin’s Games, Scarecrow Dress-Up Competition, Spot the Golden Pumpkin, Spot the Pumpkins on the Rainbow Railway and Pumpkin Colouring Competition. See website for full details.
Prepare for a half term of fangtastic thrills. From Saturday the 26th of October to Sunday the 3rd of November Woodlands Family Theme Park will be transformed from theme park into a scream park, with spooky activities taking over for the entire Halloween half term! Hallooscream complete with witch tales, monster trails, spooky crafts and pumpkins galore you’ll be sure to have a BOO-tiful day out!
Box in Plymouth this half term for lots of creative fun with free arts and crafts activities inspired by some of the amazing art that’s on display in their major new ‘Land Sea Sky’ exhibition. Drop-in sessions will run on 29th, 30th and 31st October. Also on the 31st there’s a special family late filled with tricks and treats. Explore their galleries after hours, get creative with artwork featuring poisonous plants and spider webs, make magic, dance to spooky tracks, and don’t forget to wear your best Halloween outfit!
‘The Whale’s Tale’ is coming to the National Marine Aquarium at half term! This new show is designed for family audiences, using puppetry, music, and storytelling to spread a message of hope for our underwater world. Discover more about whales, coastal communities, and protecting the Ocean we all rely on. This show is around 1 hour long, with an optional half an hour tour prior to the show starting. See the website for full details. Plus Fever’s Candlelight concert is set to light up the National Marine Aquarium on 31st October at 6.30pm & 8.30pm with a special Halloween-themed show. The show will feature favourite movie soundtracks, including The Addams Family, Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters, The Exorcist, Thriller, and many more. The unique musical program welcomes everyone from 8 years old and promises to be a fun and spooky night for all. Tickets can be purchased at: https://feverup.com/m/193605
Spooky goings-on in Exeter & East Devon
The Devon Railway Centre are putting on their Halloween Special from October 26th to 31st (Closed 28th). Explore the Pumpkin Trail and find the hidden pumpkins. FREE Halloween gift for all children who complete the trail (over 3s only). Under 3s will be given a FREE Halloween treat too. Enjoy a ride around Magic Wood on the miniature railway and see cheeky characters who’ve been busy decorating their village with lots of ghosts, pumpkins and skeletons! Unlimited train rides, model railways, model village indoor and outdoor play areas and crazy golf are all on offer.
At RAMM join in their felt badge making workshop on 29th October. Create your very own Dartmoor pony badge out of felt and wear it the next time you visit the moor (£3.50). Or, on 30th October join Naturemake for their Dartmoor inspired mossy and woody miniature den making workshop. Lots of fun for all ages from 4yrs. On 31st October travel back to Victorian Britain, voyage to far off China, or dance in a fancy frock, they’ve got costumes from all eras and all parts of the world. Step into somebody else’s shoes for a while and snap a few photos.
At Crealy their October Spook-fest is back this Halloween. They say this is Devon’s spookiest day out and it’s back with new spooky attractions for 2024 including a FREE pumpkin for every child! Walk through the Creaky Hotel and watch out… there’s always someone watching you. Take a walk through the Scarecrow Maze and see if you can make it to the other side. Don’t miss Sooty, Sweep and Soo as they get into the Halloween spirit in their Halloween Show. Make sure to join in the singing and dancing this half term.
Wrap up warm to carve your very own pumpkin at Powderham Castle. For just £3 per pumpkin, you can enjoy a one-hour session to create your very own masterpiece to take home. Carving kits are provided, so all you need to do is wrap up warm and get creative! Don’t miss out on the harvest festivities this October half term too. Hot drinks and treats available and you can bring your 4-legged friends along! Book online or at their Welcome Centre from 27th to 31st October 11am – 3pm.
In addition to all the usual daily activities and fun at World of Country Life in Exmouth there are a host of extra special Halloween goings-on this half term.
Get into the spooky spirit this half term with the Halloween Pumpkin Trail at Bicton Botanical Gardens! There’s a special sheet for children to follow and wander through the park, spot the pumpkins, and take note of the hidden letters. Then you can unscramble these to reveal a secret Halloween themed word and win an exclusive Bicton colouring-in prize! Normal admission fees apply (no extra cost for annual pass holders). While you’re there, children can also enter the Bicton Colouring-In Competition! Simply collect your colouring sheets from Reception.
Trot along to the Donkey Sanctuary for their newest spooky adventure. Can you guess what a ‘trick’ or ‘treat’ looks like for the donkeys at the sanctuary? Find the items under the pumpkins and take a guess – is it a trick or is it a treat? Just £5 per trail, including a prize when you complete it. Plus, with a new bat beacon interactive exhibition, play area, daily talks, scenic walks, engaging displays and lots of adorable donkeys to meet, there’s so much to explore. Friendly dogs on leads are welcome too!
At Pecorama you can discover a Halloween Trail around the gardens. Can you help Winifred the Witch create her Laughing Potion? There’ll be a daily fancy dress competition, certificates and trophies up for grabs. This year’s evening events will be on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st October from 4-8pm. Take a spooky ghost train ride, the gardens will be lit around the track with Halloween decorations to spot along route. Hear the spooky story of The Signalman by Charles Dickens at 5pm or 7pm in the Gallery Room plus games and music alongside some tasty food in their Kiosks.
Join Seaton Tramway this Halloween for a spooktacular family adventure on the Trick or Treat Tram! Embark on a mystic tram ride through a journey filled with pumpkins, ghouls, and delightful surprises. Meet Jack O’Lantern, the lively pumpkin-headed guide, and hear the thrilling tale of how he was transformed by the mischievous witch Grizelda. There’s interactive storytelling with charming characters, a blend of spooky fun and funny moments, a meet-and-greet, and activities with the not-so-wicked witch Grizelda at Colyton and even a goody bag.
There are some fantastic autumn antics at Killerton from 26th to 31st October. Follow a trail of pumpkins around the garden to take part in seasonal games and activities. This trail of games is added to the activities already on offer during the Celebrating Orchards month.
Fang-tastic fun in North Devon!
Beware! A Wonderland of Frights descends on Dartington Crystal! Prepare for a Halloween like no other and join them for the Mad Hatters Party. Unleash your wildest costume creations in their spine-tingling fancy dress competition – a prize for the best dressed child and adult. Do you dare reach beyond the veil of the Curtain of Doom? Many other crazy games await. Indulge in devilishly delicious treats at the haunted Pavilion Cafe! Follow the pumpkin trail – what tricks or treats await? The Mad Hatter himself will materialize to spread mischief and mayhem!
Quince Honey Farm’s Apple and Honey Harvest embraces the old traditions of the autumn season, sharing the customs and old ways of the apple harvest. See the Apple Show, a live demonstration of an apple mill and apple press and learn about the traditions of the apple harvest. Plus, the Pumpkin Patch is back from 26th to 31st October! Come along and select your very own pumpkin to take home. Bring your wellies and a bag and enjoy a stomp around the fields! The Pumpkin Patch is free to visit and is separate to the main attraction. Park in the usual Quince Honey Farm car park and follow the signs.
From 26th October to 3rd November there’ll be lots of extra Halloween activities to enjoy at the Milky Way all designed to be fun rather than scary. Enrol your little horrors at the very special School for Witches and Wizards where they can try spell writing and casting plus potion making. Then bump around the Spooky Swamp Dodgems, catch Merlin’s themed show filled with his special brand of spooktacular fun, there’s a special storytelling session for little ones. Enjoy the atmosphere of The Milky Way all decorated in its Halloween Best.
Bring the whole family to Watermouth Castle for a frightfully fun day filled with thrills, chills, and Halloween magic. This October, be first to experience Watermouth Castle’s first-ever immersive scare attraction: ‘Descend into Darkness’… Do you dare to come face-to-face with terror…? (not suitable for under 12’s) With bone-chilling attractions, live scare actors, and heart-pounding themed areas, this event is not for the faint of heart. Get ready to be spooked! Plus there is some lower key spooky fun and surprises brewing too, perfect for the little ones who can explore Watermouth Castle’s magical world of spooky surprises with activities to delight and entertain.
Enjoy a spooktacular Halloween Half Term at The Big Sheep, with haunted attractions and family-friendly fun! Have a HALLO-SCREAM on their frightfully good rides. Create a masterpiece as you try carving your own pumpkin to take home with you! They’ll help you carve a pumpkin you can be proud of. Plus, animal shows, thrill rides and gentle rides, outdoor fun on the jumping pillows, indoor play at EWEtopia Soft Play, Animal Magic in the undercover barn, fancy dress welcome.
Have a wicked half term at RHS Garden Rosemoor, follow the family garden trail and spot the ingredients for a witch’s potion to cast your own magic spell! Learn about beautiful but toxic flowers, carnivorous plants and freaky fungi. Turn a pumpkin into a wicked plant or a woodland creature! Enjoy Halloween crafts – making magic wands, Halloween lanterns, spider headbands, make your own monster stress squeezers. Witch Hazel Halloween Storytime on 30th October and Exmoor Zoo wicked plants workshop on 31st October plus Professor Strange – The Steampunk Magician on Friday 1st November. Check booking & fees on website.
To find out more information about October Half Term activities, great Halloween ideas and days out please visit the Devon’s Top Attractions website and their What’s on pages here https://www.devonstopattractions.co.uk/events/october-half-term/
