October half term with the National Trust in Devon
Across Devon, National Trust places are gearing up for October half term as the trees slowly turn to copper and the pumpkin harvest begins. There’s plenty to keep the kids entertained this October half term, from apple celebrations to spooky Halloween trails, and storytelling to silent disco beach cleans.
What’s more, every time you experience a National Trust day out, you help care for these special places for future generations.
Here is what’s happening near you this October half term, please check property website for further information, including how to book:
Arlington Court
Scarecrow trail
Daily Sat 5 Oct to Tues 5 Nov. 10am-4.30pm
Pick up a free trail sheet from visitor reception and head out to explore the grounds and garden spotting scarecrows, which have been made by our local schools, staff and volunteers. How many can you find?
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Buckland Abbey
Baby Dragon half term trail
Daily Sat 19 Oct to Sun 3 Nov. 10am-4pm
Baby Dragons have hatched and are taking over Buckland Abbey. They've made their first hoards using objects found at Buckland. Come and help track them down and discover some dragon secrets along the way. You can also cosy up with an autumnal read in the Book Nook. Storytelling will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays throughout the trail.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Harvest Weekend
Sat 26 and Sun 27 Oct. 10am–5pm
Join us to celebrate a bountiful harvest at Buckland Abbey. The Garden team have been working hard and grown squashes and pumpkins galore! They'll be showing off their hard work as part of a beautiful autumnal display in the Great Barn. Join in the celebrations with some classic family games such as sack racing and apple and spoon races. Help us create beautiful leaf bunting or take part in some autumnal crafts. There will be seasonal treats in the café and delicious cider & mead tastings in the shop.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Tudor cooking
Sat 26 and Tues 29 Oct. 11am-3pm.
Our Tudor cooking team will be looking the part in full costume and whipping up a seasonal spread fit for a Tudor household. Perhaps get involved grinding the spices and take a recipe card with you to try at home. They will be cooking from 11am-1pm and then will be in the kitchen until 3pm to talk about what they’ve cooked and answer questions about Tudor life.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Castle Drogo
Magic and myth half term trail
Daily 26 Oct to 3 Nov. 10am-5pm
Join us in the October half term for a tour around the gardens featuring local myths and legends, before showing off your magical flourishes with magic tricks inside the castle!
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Coleton Fishacre
Nature explorers: Getting to know Barn Owls
Wed 30 Oct. 11am-1pm
Join the Barn Owl Trust for a fascinating talk on all things Barn Owl. The Barn Owl Trust are a small national charity based locally who work hard to care for and conserve Barn Owls. Learn about Barn Owl habitats and conservation, how the extreme weather and climate change can affect them, and find out about their feeding habits with pellet analysis. The pop-up talk will take place in the loggia next to the house.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Little Acorns Welly Walks for under 5s
Every Wednesday in Oct. 9.30-11.30am
Discover the magic of autumn with your little ones this October at Coleton Fishacre. Explore the garden in the quiet moments before we open to the public, and take part in lots of creative autumn activities on an autumn welly walk. Come dressed for messy outdoor play whatever the weather. Little Acorn sessions are suitable for children under 5 years old.
Price: All activities and admission are free. Booking not required.
Spooky stories
Mon 28 Oct. 11am-3pm.
Grab blankets and cushions as we invite you to come along for a storytelling session on the loggia by Coleton Fishacre house. Our storyteller will be sharing some of our favourite Halloween tales, from spine-tingling stories to monster myths and books filled with witches, bats and pumpkins. The loggia is located on the terrace of the house, with open sides so please dress warmly.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Heddon Valley
Dark Skies wildlife walks with night vision cameras
Thu 31 Oct. 5-6pm and 6.30-7.30pm
Join one of our escorted walks in the Heddon Valley with our ranger team, using night vision cameras learn about the incredible evening wildlife that calls the valley home. At the start of the event visitors will be able to purchase hot and cold drinks and snacks at the Pantry.
Price: Adult £12, Child £6. Booking essential 0344 249 1895, or via the website.
Killerton
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/devon/killerton
Celebrating orchards and the autumn antics trail
Sat 26 Oct-Sun 3 Nov. 10am–4.30pm)
We are celebrating Killerton's heritage orchards. Enjoy daily apple activities and join the ranger team at weekends to press apples and learn about traditional cider making. Follow a trail of pumpkins around the garden to take part in seasonal games and activities.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Knightshayes
Magic, Mystery & Illusion: Halloween at Knightshayes
26 Oct to 3 Nov 10am – 5pm (House open 11am – 4pm, last entry 3:30pm)
Visit Knightshayes for a Halloween experience full of interesting illusions and mysterious tales of local folklore. Enter the House and find that not everything is always as it seems as you discover optical illusions of the Victorian era. Venture into the gardens to find out about the magical tales of Devon folklore – follow the will o’ the wisps to find the headless horseman’s horse, or follow the mysterious footprints that have appeared in the woodland.
Price: Free (normal admission applies). Booking not required.
Lydford Gorge
Slug and snail trail
Daily until Sun 3 Nov. 10am – 3pm
Slink and slither around the orchard this autumn to find the slugs and snails on this family-friendly trail. The trail starts at the Devil's Cauldron entrance, and you could also take a hike down to the Devil's Cauldron before it shuts for winter.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Saltram
Magic and myths trail
Sat 19 Oct-Sun 3 Nov. 10am-4.15pm
Dress in your spookiest outfit and collect all the spells and charms around the garden to complete your spell book. Around the garden you will be able to practice casting your charms in our 'Spell casting area'. Join in with some fun spooky games such as broomstick racing and spell dodging.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Wild Wednesday
Wed 23 and Wed 30 Oct. 11am-12noon and 12.30-1.30pm
Join us at the forest school for some Autumnal crafts such as making tree boggarts and then finishing it off with toasting marshmallows over the fire pit.
Price: £4 per child, not suitable for under 5s. Booking essential.
Woolacombe
Silent disco beach cleans at Woolacombe
Sun 27 Oct. 10.30am-12pm
Looking for something different to do with the family? Join us for our monthly silent disco beach cleans with Plastic Free Woolacombe and North Devon Silent Disco. Meet at Mill Rock, Woolacombe. All equipment is provided, please dress for the weather and wear suitable footwear. Silent disco is weather permitting due to use of electrical equipment.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
