October Half Term Highlights

Events Tuesday 5th September 2023

A pile of orange and white pumpkins sit on a field of hay

As leaves drift to the ground and an autumnal glow settles over Cornwall, it’s time to embrace those cosy autumn vibes. With half-term nearly upon us, why not make the most of this magical time of year and head to Cornwall for a memorable break with the family?

Kids will love the chance to run wild on blustery beaches, explore magical woodlands, sip warming hot chocolates by the sea, and discover a variety of Halloween-themed activities.

Here are some of our favourite things to do in Cornwall this half term…

Pumpkin picking

A cocapoo dressed as a pumpkin sits on a bale of hay, surrounded by pumpkins.

Best for: Wholesome family fun

Perhaps one of the most wholesome and picture-worthy family activities for autumn time, a trip to the pumpkin patch is the perfect way to kickstart October half term in Cornwall. Pop along to a pumpkin patch and soak up the autumnal vibes as you pick your favourite and head back to your holiday home for an afternoon of carving fun! Some of our favourite pumpkin picking locations include: Trevaskis Farm near Hayle, Splattenridden Farm near Hayle, Dairyland Farm in Newquay and the Cornish Maize Maze and Farm in Saltash.

Halloweden

Children dressed in Haloween fancy dress skate on the ice rink.

Best for: An enchanting experience

Bodelva PL24 2SG
edenproject.co.uk

Discover a whole other world at The Eden Project, where rainforests, tree giants and ice rinks await! As Halloweden returns for another spooky season, become a forest guardian as you venture on a special quest to protect the world’s forests, guided by the legendary tree giants. Discover enchanting tipis where you’ll be greeted by a mystical woodland creature who will help you to create your very own magical wand. Be sure to make the most of your visit to Eden with a walk around the famous biomes and gardens, and a spin on the spooktacular ice rink.

Helston Railway

Staff at Helston Railyway dress up for Halloween and stand in front of a train.

Best for: Supporting a local charity

Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick, Helston TR13 0RY
helstonrailway.co.uk

Nestled in the countryside near Helston is the UK’s most southerly railway, brought back to life by a group of dedicated volunteers. Running special events throughout the year, this Halloween will see the railway come to life with spooky decorations, pumpkins aplenty and scary costumes! Get in the spirit as you journey along the tracks (by steam on certain days of the week), with special evening trains running on various days for a spooky adventure.

Silhouettes and Shadows at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall

A grey and black poster advertises the show with pictures of shadows.

Best for: Nautical-themed activities

Discovery Quay, Falmouth TR11 3QY
nmmc.co.uk

If your little pirates love all things nautical, head to the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth for a swashbuckling adventure. October half term will see an exciting event, ‘Silhouettes and Shadows’, take over the museum. Head to the Main Hall to watch the pirate shadow puppet show, with stories and songs performed by Star Box Shadows and Wilderness Music, before creating your own puppet to take away with you. Kids will also enjoy following the trail to find the hidden pirate ghosts; find them all and they can claim a prize!

Halloween half-term fun at Wheal Martyn

Two children shape and decorate clay.

Best for: Getting crafty

Carthew, St Austell PL26 8XG
wheal-martyn.com

Get creative at the UK’s only china clay mining museum! Set in the heart of clay country in mid Cornwall, discover a landscape that’s thrived for 250 years, thanks to its special ingredient! Discover the secrets of china clay, learn how it impacts our everyday lives, and find out how it shaped Cornwall. This half-term, enjoy some Halloween-themed fun with nature-inspired activities and clay crafting; make your very own clay creation to take home! There are also woodland trails and play areas to explore on site.

Scaryland at Dairyland Farm Park

A poster advertises the Halloween event, with pictures of a tractor, scarecrow, cat and pumpkin.

Best for: A variety of activities

Tresillian Barton, Newquay TR8 5AA
dairylandfarmpark.com

Visit Scaryland (aka. Dairyland) in Newquay for a frightfully fun day of activities! As Halloween takes over the farm for the week, you’re sure to get into the spooky spirit. As well as all the usual things to see and do on the farm, kids can enjoy creepy crafts, pumpkin picking, pumpkin carving, and tractor rides through Witches Wood. With a selection of dining options, why not enjoy a lunch at the farm too?

Healeys Halloween at the Farm

Pumpkins sit on hay bales and a wooden barrel.

Best for: Tantalising the taste buds

Healeys, Penhallow, Truro TR4 9LW
healeyscyder.co.uk

Head to Healeys this Halloween for a day out that will please the whole family. Discover how cyder has been made for the past 40 years as you tour the cyder house, museums, distillery, and cellars. While adults can indulge in a selection of tastings, kids will love meeting the friendly farm animals and riding on the vintage tractor. For half term only, experience a haunted tractor ride down to the pumpkin patch, where you can select your very own pumpkin to take back to the workshop for carving.

Wickedly Witch Afternoon Brew at The Headland Hotel

A selection of Hallaween-themed cakes, including ghost cookies, chocolate witch's hats and more make up part of the afternoon tea.

Best for: Food-lovers

Fistral Beach, Headland Road, Newquay TR7 1EW
headlandhotel.co.uk

Famous as the film setting for the adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’, The Headland Hotel will be welcoming a real witch for their spooky afternoon tea: Wickedly Witch Afternoon Brew. Indulge in a selection of scarily good sweet and savoury delights, made from the finest Cornish ingredients. Kids will love being able to order their own little afternoon tea. Just be sure to watch out for the witch wandering the grand hall!

Pendennis Castle Halloween half term

Children dressed up for Halloween run along the grass in the mist.

Best for: Embracing local history

Falmouth TR11 4PL
english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pendennis-castle

Does your little princess or knight love to imagine they have their own castle? Take them to Pendennis Castle in Falmouth and let their imaginations run wild as they dream up fanciful tales - did you know this Cornish castle is thought to be haunted? Discover spiralling stone staircases, historic weaponry, panoramic views, live-action performances and more! For their special Halloween half term event, gather to listen to spooky tales and solve clues on the special Halloween Quest.

Halloween Fun at Trerice

Red, yellow and orange leaves frame Trerice House.

Best For: Stepping back in time

Kestle Mill, near Newquay TR8 4PG
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/trerice

Step back in time at this grand, yet modest Elizabethan manor house near Newquay. Trerice has changed little over the centuries and there’s much to be discovered as you step through the impressive entrance. Situated amid tranquil grounds, enjoy a gentle stroll through the Elizabethan knot gardens and apple orchards before having a go at Cornish kayling on the lawn (a type of Cornish skittles). For half term only, the house will be mysteriously decorated and visitors can listen to spooky stories, before participating in potion making and apple pressing in the garden. Fancy dress is encouraged for the week, and on Monday 23rd October, kids can dress up in Tudor-inspired costumes.

Squashbox Theatre – ‘Shivers and Shadows’

Performer Craig Johnson poses with one of the puppets.

Best for: Theatre fanatics

squashboxtheatre.co.uk

Experience a show like no other at a Halloween special Squashbox Theatre performance. Quirky and innovative, solo performer Craig Johnson combines puppetry, storytelling, history, live music and comedy to create unique shows to delight adults and children alike. Produced especially for Halloween, ‘Shivers and Shadows’ promises a show full of delightful frights, hilarious horrors, ingenious puppetry, comedy, live music, and scary stories. ‘Shivers and Shadows’ is recommended for brave children aged six plus. You can catch the frightfully entertaining show at a few of Cornwall’s top theatres, including the Tolmen Centre in Constantine.

Bodmin Jail

A poster advertises the fright nights, an eerie scene depicts ghostly figures against a black and red background.

Best for: The grown ups

Berrycoombe Road, Bodmin PL31 2PY
bodminjail.org

Immerse yourself in the eerie world of Bodmin Jail – at night! For those brave enough, Bodmin Jail will be hosting a series of nighttime events especially for Halloween, taking place from the evening through to the dead of night! Whether you’re a film fanatic who fancies attending an immersive ‘Cinema Fright Night’ or a ghost-hunter looking to experience Cornwall’s haunted history on a special ‘Ghost Walk Spooktacular’, be prepared for a spine-chilling evening filled with heart-pounding excitement. For the truly brave-hearted, and those interested in paranormal activity, attend the exclusive Halloween event at Bodmin Jail ‘Séance: An Evening of Victorian Spiritualism’, but be warned, it’s certainly not for the faint-hearted!

Halloween Maze of Horrors

A poster advertises the Maze of Horrows with red creepy writing.

Best for: Thrill-seekers

Cornish Maize Maze and Fun Farm, Smeaton Farm, Pillaton, Saltash PL12 6RZ
amazingcornishmaizemaze.co.uk

For one night only, on Saturday 28th October, the Cornish Maize Maze will be transformed into a frightful ‘Halloween Maze of Horrors’. Live performers and scare actors will be waiting to terrify you along the route. This immersive event is set to be a spine-chilling experience, not for the faint hearted! If you make it out of the maze, you can enjoy a barbecue while watching fire jugglers and performers.

Autumnal walks

A small child splashes in a puddle in the woods.

Best for: Nature-lovers

For those seeking more traditional autumnal activities, nothing beats an autumnal walk with the family as you enjoy crunchy leaves underfoot and a chill in the air. Whether you choose to explore Cornish woodlands, ramble along the South West Coast Path, or blow away the cobwebs on a beach walk, you’re guaranteed fresh air and all the autumnal vibes. Be sure to include a pit stop for a hot chocolate and a slice of cake!

Seeking a scarily good stay in Cornwall this October half term? Explore our half term cottages in Cornwall and start planning a frightfully fun visit!