It’s finally the October half-term! Instead of staying home during the chilly season, explore the best family-friendly autumn activities with the National Trust.
The National Trust is an independent conservation charity that cares for more than 250,000 hectares of countryside, 780 miles of coastline, 1 million collection items and 500 historic properties, gardens and nature reserves.
From apple harvesting and pumpkin trails to spooky crafts and missing gnomes, Somerset’s National Trust hotspots are gearing up for a festive October half-term.
Barrington Court
Barrington Court is an “atmospheric fragment of old Somerset.” Colonel Arthur Lyle rescued the 16th-century building in the 1920s. Now, without furniture, the light and empty spaces provide atmospheric opportunities to explore freely.
The ground floor of Strode House is open, and inside, visitors can find out more about the history of Barrington Court and how Colonel Lyle transformed it “into a home for an unusual collection of architectural salvage.” This October half-term Barrington Court is also offering a pumpkin trail and apple harvesting; find out more below:
Autumn Pumpkin Trail (Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10 am-4 pm)
Explore Barrington Court to find pumpkins hiding around the estate. See how many you can find as you use your senses, spot autumn colours and look out for the pumpkins in disguise. Visiting is free (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Apple harvesting(Mon 28 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 11 am-3 pm)
Gather apples with mini wheelbarrows. Barrington Court orchards are home to well over 100 varieties of apples, and once they are collected, they are turned into delicious cider. It is free of charge (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Bath Assembly Rooms
Bath Assembly Rooms is a Grade 1 listed building that’s a key part of the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath. The New or Upper Rooms, as they were known, provided a place for people to meet and enjoy daily entertainment, including balls, concerts, teas, and gambling. Now this October half-term, the Bath Assembly Rooms is also offering a spooky crafts session; find out more below:
Spooky crafts (Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10 am-2 pm/10 am-3 pm on 26 and 27 Oct)
Get busy creating Halloween-themed crafts. Use felt to make your own ghost ornament or a spider in a web using sticks and string. Other activities include origami pumpkins and turnips, making your own 3D haunted paper house, trying trick-or-treating hula, and some spooky-themed colouring. This activity is free, and booking is not required.
Dunster Castle and Watermill
Dunster Castle and Watermill is an ancient castle and comfortable country home with dramatic vistas and subtropical gardens. The castle that you see today became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived here for 600 years. Now, the grounds are hosting a school of magic activity this October; find out more below:
School of Magic (Sat 5 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10 am–4 pm)
At Dunster Castle and Watermill, a mystery awaits you. The Pumpkin Games trophy has gone missing; you have a list of suspects. Compete in the games and follow the clues to find out what happened to the trophy and collect your prize at the end. This activity costs £3 (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Fyne Court
Fyne Court is a wild garden with beautiful woodland and meadows. The estate was the home of the Crosse family, who lived there until the house was destroyed by fire in 1894. The enchanting woodlands are offering families a mysterious activity which will test your detective skills; find out more information below:
The Mysterious Case of the Missing Gnomes (Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov. 10 am–3 pm)
A gaggle of gnomes have found themselves lost in the woods at Fyne Court. Follow the trail, find all ten gnomes and help them return to their toadstool home. After you’ve found all the gnomes, head to the Music Hall and create your own wooden gnome-inspired bug hotel to take home with you. It costs £2 per trail. The usual car parking fee applies (free for National Trust members). Booking is not required.
Lytes Cary Manor
Lytes Cary Manor is an intimate medieval manor house with a beautiful Arts and Crafts-style garden. It was the home of Henry Lyte, who translated the unique Niewe Herball book on herbal remedies. Lytes Cary Manor was then lovingly restored in the 20th century by Sir Walter Jenner. Now the manor is hosting a spooky Halloween trail this half term; find out more here:
Lytes Scary Halloween Trail (Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10 am–3.30 pm)
Put your wellies on and come on a spooky adventure. Can you crack the riddle? Are you brave enough to take part? The Lytes Scary Halloween Trail includes a trail sheet, pencil and mask. It is priced at £2.50 (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Montacute House
Montacute House is a masterpiece of Elizabethan Renaissance architecture and design, with towering walls of glass, glowing ham stone and surrounding garden. The House will be opened for an autumn trail this half term; find out more below:
Super Nature – autumn trail (Sat 26 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10 am-4.30 pm)
Discover 10 points around the garden to learn all about the wildlife in autumn. Have a go at leaf rubbing, making an origami bat and more. Learn all about how local wildlife prepares for winter and have fun whilst you discover things you may have never even thought about. This activity is free (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Prior Park Landscape Garden
Prior Park Landscape Garden is a beautiful and intimate 18th-century landscape garden in Bath with one of only four Palladian bridges in the world. Families can explore the beautiful land with a free spider trail this October; find out more below:
October half-term spider trail(26 Oct to 3 Nov. 10 am-3 pm/until 4 pm on 26 Oct)
This October half-term, children can follow a spider trail around Prior Park. Just in time for Halloween, there will be clues and facts about our favourite eight-legged friends. Complete the trail and get a prize at the end. The trail is free (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
Tyntesfield
Tyntesfield is an ornate Victorian Gothic Revival house with extensive gardens and parkland. Tyntesfield was not intended to be an extravagant statement of wealth, power or politics; its purpose was simple: to serve as a family home. However, now it will serve as a house for an autumn harvest display and Halloween trail.
Autumn Harvest Display (26 Oct to 15 Nov. 10.30 am–4.30 pm)
Tyntesfield is hosting its spectacular annual gourd display in the Orangery. “For months the Outdoors Team have been growing pumpkins, melons, squash and cucumbers, with new varieties of each to be discovered, as well as beans and flowers to give that authentic rustic look. It’s the perfect way to welcome autumn and snap that perfect pumpkin picture.” Visiting is free (normal admission prices apply), and booking is unnecessary.
Halloween Trail (Sat 26 Oct to Sun 4 Nov. 10 am–3 pm/10 am- 4 pm on 26 and 27 Oct)
“Gertrude – the witch who lives in Tyntesfield’s woods – is having a very bad day. Her mischievous cat Whiskers has torn her Book of Spells & Potions, and now she can’t finish making Frog Fudge for her Halloween party. Have fun trying the activities at each of the seven stations on the trail, and then return to see Gertrude. If you can tell her the ingredients she needs, she may even give you a prize!” This spooky activity is £3 per trail (normal admission prices apply), and booking is not required.
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