Camping guides
10 of the best October half term road trips to keep the kids busy
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October half-term holidays are fast approaching, which means quality family time is well and truly on the cards (read: trying to keep the kids entertained for as long as possible.) Luckily for all the families out there, there's plenty to do around the UK during the holiday period, no matter your children's ages or tastes!
We’ve rounded up 10 of the best activities and events for keeping the whole family happy this half term – and we've listed nearby campsites too. Easy peasy. So pack your bags, hire your ideal motorhome, gather the troops, and set off on an unforgettable road trip.
Animal adventures
Shriek Week at Drusillas 21-29 October
The small but action-packed zoo Drusillas Park has a packed schedule this October half term and Halloween: visitors can creep through the park’s live-action haunted house experience, hunt an ancient mummy, meet the Sugar Skull Witch, and encounter creepy crawlies like locusts and Asian forest scorpions. The doughnuts with ‘blood’ sauce are sure to be a hit too.
Camping nearby : Horam Manor Country Park (8.5 miles) Award-winning family park with woodland walks, fishing, horse riding and regular events.
Spooky Spectacular, West Midlands Safari Park, Worcestershire 21 Oct - 5 Nov
Meet Halloween regular Patch and join in the show at West Midlands Safari Park this October half term, where kids can meet a friendly witch and wizard, cheeky dragons and even a silly skeleton. Spooky explorers can help locate the missing potion ingredients in the free Scratchcard Trail, winning a special treat if they find every item. The park has extended opening hours, so brave explorers can discover dinosaurs and rides in the dark.
Camping nearby : Blackstone Meadow Holiday Park (1 mile) Back to basics campsite with alpacas, bridleways and large pitches, a few minutes drive from the Severn Valley Railway and Go Ape.
Haunted Halloween, Manor Wildlife Park, Pembrokeshire, 19 Oct - 3 Nov
Explore the park along haunted trails and scare yourself silly at the terrifying talks at Tenby’s Manor Wildlife Park this Halloween. Events include ‘Terrifying Talks, Beastly Bug Handling, Haunted Trails, Creepy Crafts, and pumpkin carving.
The spooky goings-on at Manor Wildlife Park are just a sample of spooktacular theme park events in Pembrokeshire this autumn half term – see nearby Folly Farm for a whole host of fearful frights.
Camping nearby : Carn Springs (0.5 miles) Wildlife haven near the coast, with Manor House Wildlife Park, Heatherton World of Activities and Tenby Dinosaur Park all within walking distance.
Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular 1-31 October
Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular returns this year with a new series of family-friendly frights. Follow the illuminated trail to meet all sorts of strange characters from pirates and dragons to skeletons and ghosts.
Camping nearby : Mortonhall Caravan and Camping Park (4 miles) Pitches as part of a 200-acre country estate close to Edinburgh; a regular bus service to the city leaves from just outside the park.
Theme park treats
Happy Halloween, Peppa Pig World, Hampshire, 12-30 Oct
Paultons Park in the New Forest has a packed lineup for Halloween and half term. Check out the spooky Halloween makeover at Peppa Pig World, the Halloween decorations at Tornado Springs and the Legend of Paultons Manor show singing and dancing extravaganza. There’s also late openings on 24-26 October for theme park rides in the dark.
Camping nearby : Green Pastures Farm Camping & Touring Park (1.7 miles)
Family farm on the edge of the New Forest.
Brick or Treat, LEGOLAND® Windsor, Berkshire, 28 Sept - 5 Nov
Brick or Treat presents Monster Party, where the LEGO® Monsters are taking over at LEGOLAND® to celebrate their favourite time of year! There are live shows, amazing LEGO decorations and ‘lots of Monster mischief’.
Camping nearby : Hurley Riverside Park (11 miles) Family-friendly park with direct access to the River Thames and the Thames Path, a handy base for visiting Windsor, Oxford and London.
Creepy castlesWarwick Castle Haunting Half-term Fun, Warwichshire, 21 Oct - 5 Nov
Head to Warwick Castle this October half term for the Haunted Castle tour, exploring over a thousand years of spooktacular history. It’s all part of the Haunting Half-term Fun events, where the castle’s spookiest residents invite you to join them for ‘mysterious mazes, eerie entertainment and frightful delights’.
Camping nearby : Hatton Camping (3 miles) Family-friendly campsite next to Hatton Country World, which includes daily activities, farm animals, indoor play, laser combat and seasonal events at Hatton Adventure World.
Muncaster Castle Halloween Festival, Cumbria, 21-29 Oct
Choose from a garden or daytime castle experience at Munster Castle in Cumbria – both include access to the scary maze, outside Halloween entertainment, the Hawk and Owl Centre and two daily flying displays.
Camping nearby :Harebeck Holidays (4 miles) Peaceful family-friendly camping in the western Lake District, 2.5 miles from Seascale beach. Farm tours available on request.
Northern Ireland
Crumlin Road Gaol Halloween Extravaganza, Co Antrium, 14 - 30 October
If you’re in Northern Ireland over half term, drop into the Halloween event at the (haunted) Crumlin Road Gaol, where the Halloween Extravaganza includes the Spooktacular Jail Tour, the Pumpkin Puffer Train Ride and a Pumpkin Patch. There’s also a petting farm to meet Larry the Llama, Lexi the miniature cow, Pappa the pig and all their farmyard friends, then a live interactive Halloween musicals event. ** Camping nearby:** Carnfunnock Touring Caravan Park & Camp (25 miles)
Five-star park half a mile from Ballygally beach, set among the 470 acres of mixed woodland, colourful gardens, walking trails and coastline.
Derry Halloween Street Carnival Parade, 28-31 October
After Belfast, drive along the Antrim coast then head to Derry/Londonderry, Northern Ireland’s Halloween capital. The annual**Derry Halloween Street Carnival Parade** is one of the foremost Halloween events in the world and claims to be the biggest in Europe.
Camping nearby : Hillfoot Caravan Site and Camping (17 miles) Very family-friendly camping in a green countryside setting at the foot of Benbradagh Mountain.
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