Top 11 things to do in October half-term
Keep the kids happy with haunted houses, folklore tales, a magical mini roadtrip & plenty of pumpkins
There's stacks to do in Herefordshire this half-term - here's our top 11 favourite events and activities for families:
1. Go on a Hideous Histories family adventure
Four new mini roadtrips across the county
Try them anytime!
Follow our four new adventure trails to uncover haunted houses, magical caves, wild woods and centuries of bloody deeds, ghastly ghosts and fearsome folklore! Each trail brings history and places to life for children and links to topics on the school curriculum. The downloadable guide also features nature craft activities and treasure hunts to keep little ones occupied.
2. Get spooked at Ralph Court Gardens
17 - 31 October
Ralph Court Gardens, near Bromyard
Visit the 3-acre gardens by day (10am - 4pm) to see pumpkins, Halloween inflatable characters and the witches cookery coven. Walk through the graveyard and get measured up for a coffin. Plus children's Halloween quiz with prize.
In the evening (5 - 8.30pm) the gardens will come alive with a fabulously spooky light and sound show. Visit the Ralph family in the Haunted Manor, see the singing pumpkin trio and brave the Clown Fun Tent!
3. Pick Pumpkins!
Get your hands on a Herefordshire-grown pumpkin by visiting one of our fabulous pumpkin patches. Each farm will make your visit extra special, with various extras from food vans and kids tractor barns to Halloween cakes and bakes.
Pumpkin Pete's, near Ledbury
Country Pumpkins, near Ledbury
The Pumpkin Patch, Marden, near Hereford
4. Having fun at Herefordshire's Family Festival: Movie-Magic 2021
27 October
The Courtyard, Hereford
Lights, camera, action....get ready for a day full of magical activities, wonderful workshops and film-inspired performances, with inclusive events for everyone to join in with. Including movie make-up, superhero stage combat, monster movement, awesome lego workshop and green screen workshop.
5. Be spellbound by the Pedlar's Tales
25 October, 2 - 4pm, Hereford Library
28 October, 7 - 9pm, The Leintwardine Centre
29 October, 7 - 9pm, The Hub at St Peter's, Peterchurch
Be drawn into the fantastical world of a mysterious pedlar with a cart of wonders! Six magical stories inspired by Herefordshire's folklore are woven into one extraordinary tale. Featuring beautiful puppets and an original music score. For ages 7+.
6. Take a spine-tingling stroll
31 October
Ledbury
An evening of scarily good fun awaits. Learn all about hauntings and spooky happenings on the guided Halloween Ghost Walk around the historic streets of Ledbury. Suitable for ages 10+.
7. Create a half-term hedgehog
26 & 27 October
Eastnor Pottery, near Ledbury
Hedgehogs provide the inspiration for autumnal clay fuelled fun at Eastnor Pottery this half-term. Participants will make a terracotta hedgehog and try the fun decorative technique known as sgraffito, a very satisfying and fun method of pottery decoration.
8. Steam into autumn at the Waterworks Museum
26 October
Waterworks Museum, Hereford
Head along to special open day to see engines and pumps running, and some in-steam, plus Children's Play and Learn Water Park and the Frog Trail for younger children.
9. Get stuck into Halloween crafts
26 October
Rodd Court, Presteigne
Join the team 17th-century Rodd Court for an afternoon of craft creations to celebrate Halloween. For ages 5+.
10. Forest folklore, spooky photo shoot & fluffy alpacas
25 - 31 October
The Nest, near Ledbury
Enjoy a week of Halloween-themed activities at The Nest! Hunt for spooky stories on the Forest Folklore Trail, pick your own pumpkins and carve unique designs, dress up in your most frightening costumes for a terrifying photoshoot, and see the alpacas which will be making a special visit. See events & activities on the Nest Ledbury's site for details.
11. Watch horse-powered cider pressing
23 & 24 October
Fairoak Cider, Bacton
Come along to this artisan cider producer's open weekend to see Tommy the Gypsy Cob in action. He'll be crushing apples in the mill to make cider.
