With summer a distant memory and the weather turning a little nippy, Autumn is well and truly here. To help make the most of the week off, we’ve rounded up some brilliant things to do with the kids of all ages this October half-term.
Whether you want to get outdoors and enjoy the autumnal vibes, escape to the great indoors or get into the spirit of the spooky season, we’ve got something to suit you!
Millets Farm Centre
If animals and agriculture are your thing, look no further than Millets Farm Centre! A hub for shopping, livestock, and play for over 70 years, Millets is absolutely a local favourite for visitors young and old.
Have a meander down the Animal Walkway to bleat and greet the livestock that call the farm home. Ducks have a quacking time swimming in the pools, and pygmy goats trot about, climbing their play area like daring explorers!
Sprouts Play Barn is an award-winning, bookable soft play where little ones can go safely feral and explore to their hearts’ content. Tackle the humongous play frame, slip down the 4-lane wavy slide and tap out some earwormy tunes on the floor piano. The play barn also offers role-play at the mini farmers’ markets to sports courts and more, giving kiddos the chance to learn, grow and have a bucket-load of fun! Be sure to stop by the gift shop on your way out; it’s the perfect spot for a pocket-money treat.
Work together or sabotage the competition, on Millet’s tee-rrific Farmyard Adventure Golf course. Located just outside of Sprouts Play Barn, this 18-hole farm-themed adventure is jam-packed full of obstacles to challenge players of all ages! The course doubles as a whistle-stop tour through the history of Millets from its farming roots to its record-breaking achievements. Keep it friendly or go full tournament mode in pursuit of that hole in one!
This October, Millets are diving straight into the cauldron of Halloween fun, with oodles of different things to see and do.
Millets’ locally famous Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch is bigger and better than ever, an absolute must-do before Halloween. From 3rd until 31st October, discerning young carvers can roam the patch in search of the perfect pumpkin to decorate at home, darting through the rows to find one that’s pleasingly plump and perfectly orange. Alongside the superb squashes, there’s also a whole host of other things to do in the field. Scramble across straw bales, hop aboard the Barrel Train and toast marshmallows over the open fire. The Bonkers Bat Hunt is perfect for little visitors, with bats hidden amongst the trees and hedgerows waiting to be spotted. When you’ve found your perfect pumpkin pal, remember to collect a fangtastic goodie bag, filled with tricks and treats for you to enjoy. The Spooky Snack Shack and Parlour Brew Bar will also be serving up delicious seasonal treats and warming drinks to keep the autumn chill at bay.
From 25th to 31st October, get ready for family-friendly fun, side-splitting laughs and comedic mayhem with Blippo’s Halloween Circus! Head under the Big Top to see a whole host of talented performers, from aerial delights to juggling experts, hosted by the one and only Blippo the Clown. Packed with trademark fun, audience participation and seasonal surprises, the show is sure to leave visitors of all ages smiling.
Ready to bust a move? Little ones can join the Sprouts Play Barn team for their Spooktacular Discos! With a very special Brussels sprout sprouting up on the dance floor, kids can boogie, bounce and climb up to Halloween tunes and their favourite sing-a-longs. These special evening sessions will be running on 28th, 29th and 30th October, ideal for scratching that Allhallows itch before the big day.
For evening frights and ghoulish games, look no further than Pumpkins by Night. As dusk falls, head back to the pumpkin patch for a vibrant evening of autumn excitement. Between 23rd and 30th October, the patch comes alive with live music, dance and circus magic taking centre stage, creating an exciting backdrop for pumpkin picking, toasting marshmallows and seasonal shopping. Food trucks will be serving up warm meals and delicious street food to enjoy after scrambling up the hay bale tower to soak up the atmosphere and see the stars. For those brave enough, the illuminated trail has surprises around every corner to make you jump and giggle as you go.
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to Millets Farm Centre by bus, click here.
Harcourt Arboretum
Explore over 130 acres of rare and endangered trees from across the globe, including some of the oldest redwoods in the UK, at Harcourt Arboretum. Owned by the University of Oxford, the arboretum is a satellite site of the university’s botanical gardens. Autumn at Harcourt is a particularly special time of year, with visitors from all over coming to see the trees turn into a blaze of vivid reds, golds and orange, leaves gently fluttering to the floor from above as you as you wander the arboretum’s winding paths.
No matter what time of year you visit, Harcourt Arboretum is a stunningly beautiful, with the paths being updated in the last few years to make them more even and accessible. Kids can play hide and seek amongst the trees, wearing themselves out as they enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
On 24th October, the Harcourt Arboretum Autumn Fair returns for a memorable day of festive fall fun. Enjoy working horse demonstrations, crafting activities inspired by nature, learn traditional techniques and get involved with interactive theatre performances. Sustainable market stalls are set up for you to peruse, with seasonal food and drink also on offer. The whole day is set to a backdrop of live music from local band Horns of Plenty, who bring the sights and sounds of autumn to life with dazzling, jazzy tunes.
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to Harcourt Arboretum by bus, click here.
Blenheim Palace
Back in 1704, the Battle of Blenheim saw General John Churchill triumph over the French and Bavarians during the War of Spanish Succession. As a reward, the Crown gifted him a plot of land in Woodstock and the funds to build a rather grand “thank-you” present, and so Blenheim Palace came to be. A stunning example of the short-lived English Baroque architecture, Blenheim has been home to Prime Ministers, political summits and artistic exhibitions. Arguably its most famous exhibit was an 18-carat gold toilet, valued at £4.75 million, which was stolen in 2019 and never recovered. A truly royal flush.
For little legs that can seemingly run for miles, Blenheim Palace Adventure Play is a brilliant option. Kids can dive into tunnels, cross bridges and explore cargo chambers for hours of adventure. Adventure Play Guides are on hand to help, while a specially crafted Toddler Zone is available for littler visitors.
Just off the Adventure Play, children can join book and TV favourites Pip and Posy on a magical adventure full of colour, surprises and play. Become Rainbow Treasure Hunters, little ones can hop, bop and clip-clop through giant carrots, bridge slides and more as they search for the treasure at the end of the rainbow. Keep an eye out for all the rainbows along the way, and don’t worry if you get a bit turned around! Pip, Posy and their friends are about ready to lend a helping hand.
Until 1st November, Blenheim is going prehistoric. Partnering with artist Jay Jay Burridge and the Oxford Museum of Natural History, Dinosaurs Are Forever brings five Megalosaurus back to life. Back in the day, miners in Stonesfield began uncovering massive bones, too large to belong to any living creature known to man. Years later, in 1822, geologist James Parkinson referred to these fossils as Megalosaurus. Little did he know that he had helped identify the first of a group of creatures that would later become known as dinosaurs.
To this day, Megalosaurus fossils have only ever been found in Oxfordshire, and Dinosaurs Are Forever aims to celebrate our ancient, local scaly friends with a brand-new exhibition. Non-traditional museum reconstructions have been created with advanced modern materials and fully articulated skeletons. These striking interpretations are dotted among the trees, ready to greet visitors young and old, and they’re on display for the very first time.
From 22nd October to 1st November, Halloween at Blenheim Palace returns for thrilling after-dark spooks and chills. Join the trail for dazzling light displays, immersive entertainment and plenty of seasonal surprises along the way. For those after something spine-chillingly wicked, enter the Spider’s Lair if you dare. Something laid those creeping webs, and that something may still be lurking. These webs have caught plenty of ghouls and ghosts in their tangled trap, some of whom you’ll meet in the maze. Discover a Pirate Wreck that’s been lost to time, join up with a legion of Vampire Hunters and descend into the dark of the Catacombs, where the dead refuse to stay so.
A whole host of other half-term activities are on offer from 24th October to 1st November at The Walled Garden. For Blenheim’s Haunted Half Term, join ZooLab and their animal show! Kids can get up close and personal with giant snails, hopping frogs and friendly snakes, getting the chance to handle some of these creepy, yet misunderstood critters for themselves. In the House of Magic, meanwhile, budding clowns and circus masters can learn the tricks of the trade in a Circus Workshop, while enjoying spooky tales and storytelling sessions as they go.
If you’re planning a visit to Blenheim, why not book your tickets through us? If you visit our Visitor Information Point or Gloucester Green Travel Shop, you can book your Blenheim Palace tickets at a discounted rate.
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to Blenheim Palace by bus, click here.
Museum of Oxford
Back in the 70s, there was a need for a museum that specialised in Oxford’s long and prominent history. The Museum of Oxford was the answer to that call! With both permanent and temporary displays to see, the museum documents life in Oxford from prehistoric settlers to modern life today.
Also known colloquially as MOX, the museum is home to heaps of activities and things to do for young visitors to enjoy and get stuck into. Gallery Trails explore the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. Choose a theme, from marmalade adventures to hidden hares, and set off exploring the museum. Pick a new theme on your next visit to see the collections all over again in a brand-new way.
Explorer Backpacks are available at the museum shop, and each one is filled to the brim with fun sensory activities to try out as you walk around. The Dig Pit lets kids become little archaeologists and uncover hidden objects, while the Capes Counter is on hand to zhuzh up the style of visitors of all ages.
On 26th October, kids will love getting stuck in with the Mystic Pets: Halloween Crafting workshop. Suitable for ages 5 to 11, create mystical friends based on the animals, creatures and critters that appear in tales of witches in English folklore. From slippery snakes to black cats, kids can craft a brand-new pal to accompany them on all their half-term adventures.
Those 5 and under, plus their carers, can boogie the day away at the Halloween Fam Jam. Dance ‘till your feet fall off, take part in fun activities and sensory play, and just generally enjoy the disco atmosphere. Older siblings are welcome too, so why not make it a full-family dance party? A quiet space will also be available for those wanting to take a breather and a moment of calm. When you’ve taken a minute, head back out to the dance floor to boogie, jive and monster mash to your heart’s content!
If your kids have caught dancing fever, why not introduce them to a whole new style of dance? On 29th October, young dancers aged 6 to 11 can join Stories in Motion, learning the history, moves and style of Bharatanatyam. Led by Oxford-based dance artist Shreya Kallingal, kids will learn the steps to traditional Indian music, bringing to life stories from the Museum of Oxford with intricate and emotive hand gestures. Make friends, connect with the culture and the history of Oxford in a fun new way. With moves like these, they’re sure to dominate the dancefloor and be the envy of all at the next school disco!
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to the Museum of Oxford by bus, click here.
Oxford Castle Prison
Originating all the way back to 1071, Oxford Castle Prison has a varied and, at times, twisted history. From locked-away empresses and Civil War sanctums to ghostly monks and notorious acts of divine intervention. Today, Oxford Castle Prison is open to the public to explore and tour throughout the year.
Step back into 1,000 years of history on a Guided Tour of Oxford Castle Prison. Your expert guide is a former resident of the castle, who’ll teach you all about the history of the site. Listen to tales of crime, punishment, power and legend as you explore ancient crypts and desperate cells. Ascend the twisting 101 steps of St. George’s Tower for panoramic views of the city and be sure to have your mugshot taken at the end for a unique souvenir.
This half term, from 23rd to 31st October, Oxford Castle Prison’s Ghost Fest is back for its 17th year! With a full week of spooky stories, mysterious happenings and fun things to do, there’s no better place to get into the spooky season than at Ghost Fest!
Calling all budding magical makers, Merlin’s apprentice needs your help! At the Potion Making Experience, running from 25th to 31st October, kids will need to solve clues, uncover magical ingredients and brew their own potions as they help Merlin’s apprentice master their skills before graduation. Along the way, they’ll craft their own (drinkable) potion, craft their own magic wand to take home. They’ll even receive a take-home activity booklet, filled with magical challenges and creative activities.
If you’d like something to really scare you silly, why not join a Spooky Tour? Open to those aged 14 and above, spend the evening in one of Oxford’s most haunted locations. Going behind the prison bars, you’ll uncover the eerie history and haunting past of the prison, including spaces not normally open to the public. In the dark, the prison does not feel quite so safe as during the day, with unearthly prisoners still walking the halls and a disquieting, unsettling feeling throughout, ideal for those who aren’t afraid of a spook.
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to Oxford Castle Prison by bus, click here.
Wantage Literary Festival
Returning for its 16th year, the Wantage Literary Festival is back for 2026. From 26th October to 7th November, the festival will be offering a wide range of thought-provoking events, interesting ideas and, of course, books. Internationally acclaimed authors, renowned journalists, celebrated historians and expressive musicians and artists all come together for a fortnight of creativity, sharing ideas and new perspectives. From talks and tours to family days and workshops, you can do it all at Wantage Literary Festival.
On 28th October, head over to the Vale and Downland Museum for the Wind in the Willows Family Day. Ideal for the kids, enjoy enchanting storytelling, get stuck into with crafts and take part in exciting activities, all inspired by the adventures of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Mr Toad. Tickets for the day are free, but booking is essential to secure your spot.
As part of the Literary Festival, the Dr Mark Caplen Young Writers Competition is an excellent opportunity for promising authors and fledgling novelists to get their creative juices flowing. Split into three age categories between 13 and 18 years old, teens are invited to compose a review of one of their favourite pieces of media, be it a book, play, TV show or something else. An exploration of their chosen subject; prizes include book tokens and cash, great for some extra spending money before the festive season.
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to the Wantage Literary Festival by bus, click here.
Take a tour
City Sightseeing Oxford open-top Oxford bus tours take you on an 18-stop tour around the city, visiting places like Carfax Tower, the Radcliffe Camera and more! With 24 or 48-hour hop-on hop-off tickets, it’s the perfect way to see Oxford while avoiding sore feet, busy streets and bad weather. Our tours also come with audio commentary; plug in and choose one of 14 different languages!
One option is to listen to Mia Cloo. Voicing our special kids’ commentary, Mia and her brother Dexter are on a special quest, and they need a young Oxford visitor’s help! Uncover the clue in the free Mia Cloo book to uncover a magical word and unlock a prize!
Every City Sightseeing Oxford bus tour ticket also includes access to the Oxford Uncovered Walking Tour. This 60-minute, fully accessible meander takes you through the city, discovering the secrets and hidden histories that call Oxford home. Kids are sure to love listening to the tales, as your knowledgeable tour guide keeps things up to date and interesting.
For those wanting to uncover a darker side of Oxford, then look no further than The Oxford Ghost Tour. Join your preternatural host Tom McDonnell, author of Dead but Awake: Paranormal Encounters from The Shadows of Oxford, on a 75-minute walking tour and discover the terrifying tales of ghostly encounters, unexplained phenomena and Civil War strife, all in the beating heart of Oxford. Hear fables of spurned love, phantom soothsayers and ghoulish games as you explore cobbled streets and an older, darker side of the Dreaming Spires, departing at 17:00 daily from 24th October to 1st November.
Space is limited, and tours are filling up fast, so book now…. If you dare!
Journey Planner: To plan your journey to our Visitor Information Point by bus, click here.
