October Half Term in Hampshire 2024 - What the Redhead said

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October half term is one of our favourite school holidays as a family. The start of the school year always takes some getting used to, it’s exhausting being back in such a strict routine after the summer, and so, by October half term, we’re all in need of a break. Plus, it’s autumn, the perfect time to snuggle up at home, make hot chocolate and play board games together.

It’s also lovely to get outside, go for a walk and make memories surrounded by all the signs of autumn. So I thought I’d put together some ideas of things to do across Hampshire this October half term.

Table of Contents

When is October half term in Hampshire?

October half term in Hampshire runs from 28 October to 1 November 2024 Some schools will have an inset day or two attached to the start of end of the half term, making it a little longer.

So here we have ideas of things to do this autumn half term. I hope it’s helpful and if there’s anything that I’ve missed please do get in touch and let me know.

Days Out in Hampshire

If you’re just looking for a day out to enjoy over the October half term holiday dates then we have a lot of inspiration for you and these posts should be helpful:

If you’re happy to go a little further afield then these posts may be helpful too:

Afternoon Tea in Hampshire

If you fancy going for afternoon tea as a half term treat there are plenty of places to choose from and these guides may help you find somewhere perfect!

Fireworks in Hampshire

Half term is when all the fireworks displays start to happen and there are so many across Hampshire this year. This post has all the information you need to add fireworks to your half term plans:

Where to see Fireworks in Hampshire

National Trust Trails

National Trust sites often have fantastic trails to keep children entertained. Here are the ones on this half term in Hampshire:

The Vyne – Vyne Rd, Sherborne St John, Basingstoke RG24 9HL

Halloween pumpkin trail – 26 October to 3 November 2024 – £2 per trail sheet and prize

Exploring the ground floor of the house, find ten sun catchers featuring mysterious and magical pumpkins. Enjoy family games in the garden with a Halloween theme.

You can read about our time at The Vyne here

Mottisfont – Romsey, Hampshire SO51 0LP

October half term: Pumpkin Parade – 26 October to 3 November 2024 – £2 per trail

This half term you’ll find colourful pumpkin-themed fun with a spooky twist. Follow the Pumpkin Parade trial to find Halloween-themed activities, from pumpkin noughts and crosses to pumpkin rolling.

You can read about our trip to Mottisfont here

Hinton Ampner – Alresford SO24 0LA

Halloween Potions Trail with Wilma the Witch – 19th October 2024 to 4th November 2024 – £2 per trail

Double, double toil and trouble… Stir the cauldron and watch it bubble! Hidden in the spookiest corners of Hinton Ampner’s gardens are the ingredients Wilma needs for her magic potion. You’ll need to race on your broomstick, toss a ring onto the witch’s hat, move your pet spider through the maze and more to complete the challenge and make the potion!

Days Out with Half Term Activities in Hampshire

Winchester Science Centre – Telegraph Way, Winchester, Hampshire SO21 1HZ

Science Spooktacular – 12th October to 4th November 2024 – Weekends and school holidays

It’s trick or treat season and Winchester Science Centre are pulling out all the stops to make this one full of science treats! There’s a trick or treat trail, science shows, discos and more!

Trick or Treat Trail – 12th October to 4th November 2024 – Weekends and school holidays

Join Skully the skeleton for a fiendishly fun trick or treat trail around the Science Centre. Skully the skeleton has got muddled up. They’ve lost their bones around the Science Centre and need some help. Can you hunt for Skully’s lost bones? You’ll need to find out what they do and why they are important so that you can put Skelly back together again.

You can read about our time at Winchester Science Centre here

Paulton’s Park – Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 6AL

Halloween Spooktacular – 17th of October and 4th November 2024

Guests can enjoy exciting Halloween shows on selected dates, journey to the American Midwest for Halloween at Tornado Springs and have some spooky fun with Peppa and George.

Read our Paultons Park review here

Mid Hants Railway Watercress Line – Station Road, New Alresford, Hampshire SO24 9JG

Wizard Week – 26th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024

The spook-tacular Wizard Week returns! Children of all ages are invited to dress up as their favourite scary character – little monsters, ghosts, witches and wizards! There are prizes to be won at the fancy dress competition, to be held each day and spine-tingling treats are in store – including terrific rides on the Wizard Express heritage train and the thrill of walking in Harry Potter’s footsteps over the famous railway footbridge where Harry received his Hogwarts Express ticket in the film.

Read about our Day Out With Thomas here and about the Wizard Week event here

Itchen Valley Country Park – Allington Lane, West End, Southampton, Hampshire SO30 3HQ

Halloween Trail: Spooky Spells – 25th October to 3rd November 2024

This Halloween, the ancient Witch of the Woodlands awakens from her centuries-long slumber. Hidden deep within the forest, she stirs, eager to share her magic. Can you help cast her spell?

Itchen Valley also have some craft workshops on over half term:

Halloween Craft Workshop: Glass Jar Lanterns – Tuesday, 29 October 2024
Halloween Craft Workshop: Pinecone Bats – Wednesday, 30 October 2024

Staunton Country Park – Middle Park Way, Havant, Hampshire PO9 5HB

Spooky Staunton Outdoor Trail – 26 October to 3 November 2024

Visit Staunton Country Park for all things spooky this Halloween for the outdoor family trail. Solve the clues, discover interesting facts and try not to get spooked along the way!

Pumpkin Carving – 28 October 2024

Visit Staunton Country Park to carve and decorate your very own spooky pumpkin. Staunton will provide the pumpkins and carving equipment as well as bits and bobs for decorating – you just provide the creativity!

Read about our time at Staunton Country Park here

Queen Elizabeth Country Park – Gravel Hill, Horndean, Hampshire PO8 0QE

Creepy Creatures Outdoor Trail – 26 October to 3 November 2024

Witchy cackles, slithery scales and howling shrieks! Can you find the creatures at Queen Elizabeth Country Park this Halloween? Visit Queen Elizabeth Country Park for all things monstrous this Halloween for our outdoor family trail. Find the creatures, solve the clues and try not to get spooked along the way!

Pumpkin Carving – 29 October 2024

Little Adventures Halloween Forest School – 30 October 2024

Visit Queen Elizabeth Country Park this Halloween in the woodland where you’ll learn about creepy crawlies, make muddy magical potions, build dens and spooky crafts. There will be a tasty treat to toast around the fire to enjoy out in the woods. Drinks and treats are included for the adults too.

Isle of Wight Steam Railway – Havenstreet Station, Isle of Wight Steam, Main Road, Havenstreet, Ryde PO33 4DS

Wizard Week – 26 October to 1 November 2024

There’s wickedly, wonderful fun this half term as witches, wizards and other ghouls take over Havenstreet. It wouldn’t be Halloween without a little magic and there will be a real life magician conjuring up a few tricks plus you can meet the friendly witches of Havenstreet, hear some terrible tales and see some amazing illusions. There’s also free magic shows, a terrifying treasure hunt trail and a chance to explore the grounds before boarding the steam train!

Exbury Gardens and Steam Railway – Exbury, Southampton, Hampshire SO45 1AZ

Halloween Ghost Train – 28 October to 3 November 2024

It won’t be long now until Halloween is upon us, and once again the gardens will be filled with the screams of unsuspecting victims aboard the infamous Ghost Train.

Halloween Gruesome Garden Trail – 28 October to 3 November 2024

Brave the ghoulish graveyard, spooky spiders and weird witches as you make your way around the Gruesome Garden trail.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving – 28 October to 3 November 2024

It just wouldn’t be Halloween without a spooky pumpkin and you can make yours at Exbury this halloween.

Aldershot Military Museum – Queens Avenue, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 2LG

Autumn Pumpkin Trail – 24th to 31st October 2024

A naughty witch has hidden her pumpkins around the Aldershot Military Museum! Help to find them all and take home a prize.

Halloween Pumpkin Carving – 28th and 29th October 2024

Visit Aldershot Military Museum to make your very own carved pumpkin, ready for Halloween, with traditional spooky templates, or a special Aldershot Military Museum vehicle.

Read our review of Aldershot Military Museum here

Finkley Down Farm Park – North Way, Andover, Hampshire SP11 6NF

Finkley Halloween Happenings – 19th to 27th October 2024

Enjoy a frightfully freaky Halloween at Finkley, filled with so many special spooky sensations! Head to Halloween at Finkley and enjoy a frightfully freaky time. All the special spooky Halloween activities are included in the all-day entry to Finkley Down Farm. There’s so much to see and do.

You can read about our day at Finkley Down Farm here

Longdown Activity Farm – Deerleap Lane, Ashurst, Southampton, Hampshire SO40 7EH

Frightful Fun at the Farm – 26th October 2024 to 3rd November 2024

Enter the Haunted Barn at your peril for a howlingly good time. Encounter real-life barn owls and creeeepy creatures with The Creature Teachers, take on the Pumpkin Quest which promises to be fun for all the family.

You can read about our trip to Longdown Activity Farm here

Shanklin Chine – 3 Chine Hill, Shanklin, Isle of Wight PO37 6BW

Shanklin Chine Halloween Spooktacular – 4th October to 3rd November 2024

Dare to be scared this year at the Halloween Spooktacular at Shanklin Chine! Visit for a month-long event filled with eerie decorations, animatronics, live actors and spine-chilling surprises. Be prepared to come face to face with anything from werewolves to wyverns!

Wander through the haunted trails, enjoy themed activities and discover all the secrets held within the Chine’s winding pathways! There’ll also be live music during the weekends, where you can expect to hear an assortment of your favourite monstrous melodies.

Butser Ancient Farm – Chalton Lane, Chalton, Waterlooville, Hampshire PO8 0BG

Skeleton Secrets! Half term fun – 26th October to 3rd November 2024

Visit Butser this October half term for a spooky family day out in Hampshire! Embark on a journey through time as you explore the ancient buildings, and search for hidden skeleton bones scattered across the farm.

You can read about our time at Butser Farm here and a more recent review of Butser Ancient Farm here

Milestones Museum – Basingstoke Leisure Park, Churchill Way West, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6PG

Halloween Half Term – 26th October to 3rd November 2024

Visit Milestones Museum this Halloween half term for some spooktacular fun! Have a ghoulishly good time as you follow our Halloween trail around Milestones to spot who’s haunting the museum’s buildings. With eerie effects and traditional Halloween decorations, join us for a wicked wander through the cobbled streets – if you dare!

You can read about our trip to Milestones here

Portsmouth Historic Dockyard – Victory Gate, HM Naval Base, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3LJ

Creepy Conservation Week – 26th October to 3rd November 2024

Creepy Conservation Week at the National Museum of the Royal Navy scuttles its way to Portsmouth Historic Dockyard this October half-term. Learn about the impact invasive pests have on our mission to protect our historic ships and collections.

A Tudor Halloween – 26th October and 2nd November 2024

This October half term the Historic Dockyard are taking inspiration from 16^th century All Hallows’ celebrations and inviting younger visitors to get hands on and create Tudor Halloween-inspired crafts.

Witches, Wise Women and Superstition in Tudor Times – 30th October to 1st November 2024

This October half term explore the world of witches, wise women, medicine and superstition in Tudor times and meet the Historic Dockyard’s very own Wise Woman.

You can read about our time at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard here

Carisbrooke Castle – Castle Hill, Newport, Isle of Wight PO30 1XY

Halloween Half Term at Carisbrooke Castle – 19th October to 3rd November 2024

Gather your little monsters for a ghoulishly good day out at Carisbrooke Castle this half term. Follow the quest to solve creepy clues and gather round to listen to spooky stories.

Ghost Tales at Carisbrooke Castle – 26th to 31st October 2024 – Over 16s only

Do you dare explore Carisbrooke Castle in the dark this Halloween? Join storytellers as they guide you on a journey through the past, with tales of ghosts, supernatural sightings and horrors from history.

Blackgang Chine – Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 2HN

Fiesta of the Dead – 25th October to 3rd November 2024

Make this Halloween more magical in the Land of Imagination. Experience excitement at Fiesta of the Dead – the Isle of Wight’s most extensive family Halloween event inspired by Día de los Muertos. Celebrate life like never before with our thrilling and enchanting festivities that will leave you feeling uplifted and energetic.

Half Term Activities in Hampshire

Wherever you are in Hampshire, there’s bound to be somewhere nearby with organised family activities or events to keep your children entertained over the holidays. Here are a few suggestions of things to do in May half term in Hampshire:

The Arc – Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8SB

The Arc have various activities on offer throughout half term:

Make your own Clay Monsters – 28th October 2024 – Age 7+ – £18 per child
Spooky Lino Printing – 29th October 2024 – Age 9+ – £18 per child
Fizzy Pumpkin Art – 29th to 31st October 2024 – All ages – £8 per child
Spooky Stained Glass Style Crafting – 30th October 2024 – Age 8+ – £10 per child
Ink Monsters – 31st October 2024 – Age 7+ – £10 per child
Firework Salt Paintings – 1st November 2024 – All ages – £8 per child
Firework Night Collages – 1st November 2024 – Age 9+ – £10 per child

The Brickworks Museum – Swanwick Lane, Lower Swanwick, Hampshire SO31 7HB

The Brick People bring LEGO back to the Museum – 30th and 31st October 2024

Find the models and minifigures hidden around the museum, see the display of models made from LEGO, enjoy the free play areas and add a LEGO Dot mosaic tile to the wall.

SeaCity Museum – Havelock Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO14 7FY

Southampton Culture Club for Kids October Half Term – 28th October to 1st November 2024

A day of investigation, imagination and discovery for children aged 6.5 to 12yrs who love being creative and learning through fun activities. Led by the experienced cultural services learning team, at Kids’ Club children will explore the past, experience the museum and gallery and make really cool things!

D Day Museum and Overlord Embroidery – Clarence Esplanade, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO5 3NT

Airfix extravaganza – 1st November 2024

Make your own genuine Airfix model to take home. Try out a new hobby with help from friendly staff or enjoy some nostalgia and pass on a passion for model making to the next generation. Build your model and get a set of paints to make it look amazing at the museum or to complete it at home.

Whitchurch Silk Mill – 28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire RG28 7AL

Halloween Treat Trail – 29th October 2024

Collect a bag on arrival, or bring your bucket and hunt high and low around the Mill grounds to find the Halloween treats.

BOO-tiful Halloween Fun at Half term – 30th and 31st October 2024

Visit Whitchurch Silk Mill for some BOO-tiful Halloween fun at Half term with special magical printing activities.

Curtis Museum – High Street, Alton, Hampshire GU34 1BA

Autumn Pumpkin Trail – 19th October to 3rd November 2024

Follow our spooky seasonal trail around the museum – piece together the clues and take home a prize! A fun activity for children and families throughout the October half term.

West End Centre – 48 Queens Road, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 3JD

The West End Centre has a variety of activities available over half term:

Make it, Play it – 29th October 2024
Mini Artists – 29th October 2024
Family Pottery – 29th October 2024
Children’s Pottery – 29th October 2024
Pottery for Teens – 30th October 2024

And more! See the full list of events at the West End Centre here

Theatre Shows in Hampshire

Going to the theatre is a great activity that the whole family will enjoy and Hampshire has a lot of great theatres to really make the most of. Here are the family shows on during May half term:

Theatre Royal Winchester – Jewry Street, Winchester, Hampshire SO23 8SB

The Smartest Giant in Town – 26th and 27th October 2024

Princes Hall – Princes Way, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1NX

Science Museum Live – 28th October 2024

The Smartest Giant in Town – 30th and 31st October 2024

Mayflower Theatre – 22-26 Commercial Road, Southampton, Hampshire SO15 1GE

101 Dalmatians – 22nd to 26th October 2024

Grease the Musical – 29th October to 2nd November 2024

The Anvil Basingstoke – Churchill Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 7QR

Milkshake Live on Holiday – 27th October 2024

Treasure Trails

If you want to get outside but you don’t really know where, we love Treasure Trails. It’s an adventure that the whole family can get involved in for less than £10. Solve a mystery, save the day or be a spy! It’s great fun and we always really enjoy it. Here are some of the Hampshire Treasure Trails – you can see the full list here.

You can read about one of our Treasure Trail adventures here.

Indoor Activities in Hampshire

If the weather isn’t great over half term then you may want to do something indoors that still gets you out of the house. Here are some ideas:

Libraries in Hampshire

There are many libraries across Hampshire and the vast majority of them have activities and events on for children on a regular basis but especially during school holidays. You can find your local library here and book available sessions online too.

Escape Rooms in Hampshire

Escape rooms are super popular and there are so many family friendly versions around. Here are some ideas for escape rooms in Hampshire:

Escape Rooms in Hampshire

Roller Skating in Hampshire

Roller skating is such a popular activity and there are so many places you can skate in Hampshire. Here are some suggestions:

Where to go Roller Skating in Hampshire

Leisure Centres in Hampshire

Leisure centres can be a fantastic place to spend time as a family and they’ve come far over recent times, now having so much more than just swimming pools. Many have climbing facilities, soft play centres and even trampoline parks within them! Here are all the ones in Hampshire to choose from:

Frogmore Leisure Centre, Yateley – Swimming – Badminton – Gymnastics
Basingstoke Aquadrome – Swimming – Adventure Golf
Charlton lakeside, Andover – Adventure Golf – Boating Lake – Playground
Whitehill and Bordon Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym
Hart Leisure Centre, Fleet – Swimming – Junior Gym – Football – Gymnastics – Badminton – Soft Play – Trampolining
Alton Sports Centre – Swimming – Football – Basketball – Junior Gym – Climbing – Soft Play – Trampolining – Tennis – Squash
Taro Leisure Centre, Petersfield – Swimming – Junior Gym – Basketball – Squash – Badminton – Football – Soft Play
Winchester Sport and Leisure Park – Junior Gym – Basketball – Active Antz – Football – Swimming – Gymnastics – Football – Badminton – Climbing – Trampolining
Romsey Rapids Sports Complex – Swimming – Soft Play – Crazy Golf
Horizon Waterlooville Leisure Centre – Gymnastics – Trampolining – Sports – Swimming
Horizon Havant Leisure Centre – Gymnastics – Trampolining – Sports – Swimming
Totton health and Leisure, Southampton – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton
Wildern Leisure Centre, Southampton – Swimming
Knightwood Leisure Centre, Southampton – Junior Gym
Andover Leisure Centre – Swimming – Soft Play – Gymnastics – Boating Lake – Adventure Golf
Fareham Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton – Dance – Gymnastics – Football – Climbing
Holly Hill leisure Centre, Southampton – Junior Gym – Swimming
Mountbatten Centre, Portsmouth – Swimming – Climbing
Gosport Leisure Centre – Swimming – Junior Gym – Trampolining – Football
Meadowside Leisure Centre, Fareham – Football – Active Antz – Junior Gym – Badminton – Basketball
Places Leisure Eastleigh – Swimming – Gymnastics – Soft Play – Trampolining
Bourne Leisure Centre, Emsworth – Junior Gym – Active Antz – Basketball – Badminton – Football
Lymington Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Gymnastics
Tadley Health and Fitness – Swimming
Ringwood Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Soft Play – Badminton
New Milton Health and Leisure – Swimming – Junior Gym – Badminton
BH Live Active Pyramids, Southsea – Climbing – Football – Soft Play – Junior Gym

Trampoline Parks in Hampshire

Trampolining is a fantastic activity that children love and it’s perfect for a wet weather day. Here are the trampoline parks in Hampshire – and many of the leisure centres above offer trampolining classes too. It’s great fun for all ages.

Soft Play and Indoor Play Centres in Hampshire

Soft play and other indoor play centres are fantastic for children and are great for bad weather days too. We have so many great indoor activity hubs in Hampshire from typical soft play centres to role play dressing up experiences.

Shopping Centres in Hampshire

Shopping centres are a great place to spend time. You can wander round the shops, grab some lunch and there are often organised activities and events in to make the most of as well.

Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth
Cascades Shopping Centre, Portsmouth
Westquay Shopping Centre, Southampton
Marlands Shopping Centre, Southampton
Brooks Shopping Centre, Winchester
Festival Place, Basingstoke
Whiteley Shopping Centre, Fareham
Port Solent, Portsmouth
Westgate Retail and Leisure Park, Aldershot
The Meads Shopping Centre, Farnborough
The Meridian Centre, Havant
Swan Centre, Eastleigh
Fareham Shopping Centre
Hart Shopping Centre, Fleet

Pottery Painting in Hampshire

Pottery painting is a fantastic activity for the whole family as well as being a calm and relaxed experience. Children of all ages will love it and it’s so nice to have something to take away with you afterwards – or pick up a few days later when it’s been fired! Here are our Hampshire pottery painting destinations.

Bowling in Hampshire

Bowling is another great activity for the whole family and perfect when the weather isn’t great. Here are the Hampshire bowling alleys to choose from.

Laser Tag in Hampshire

Laser Tag was such a new thing when I was a child but they’ve grown massively in popularity over recent years and now laser centres are everywhere. Here are both indoor and outdoor laser tag sites across Hampshire.

JR Zone, Newport

Climbing Centres and Aerial Adventures in Hampshire

Climbing is another great family activity and we have so many centres across the county – plus those included in the leisure centres above. Here are some more indoor and outdoor centres to give you some climbing inspiration.

Cinemas in Hampshire

Most cinemas have reduced tickets at weekends and in school holidays, a great budget activity that the whole family can enjoy together

Vue – Mighty Mornings

At Vue’s Mini Mornings you can see the best kids and family films from only £2.49 each. Mini Mornings run every Saturday and Sunday morning from 10am plus every day in the school holidays.

Odeon – Odeon Kids

With special Odeon Kids screenings of the most spellbinding fairy tales and animated films, grown-ups pay kids’ ticket prices, making it a great value day out for the whole family.

There are many other cinemas in Hampshire – Everyman, Empire and Harlequin to name a few, but they all seem to have the same ticket prices and offerings during school holidays.

Holiday Clubs in Hampshire

If you need to work over the holidays and need childcare then holiday clubs are a really popular idea – and there are so many across Hampshire that you’re bound to find one perfect for your children that’s close to where you live or work. This post should help you find one:

School Holiday Clubs in Hampshire

I hope that’s given you some inspiration when it comes to organising your half term childcare, days out and activities. I’ll add more events as they’re announced and please do get in touch if I’ve missed your favourite event off the list.

If you’re looking for more things to do in Hampshire this October half term, these posts might help:

Author

Donna Wishart

Donna Wishart is married to Dave and they have two children, Athena (13) and Troy (11). They live in Surrey with their two cats, Fred and George. Once a Bank Manager, Donna has been writing about everything from family finance to days out, travel and her favourite recipes since 2012. Donna is happiest either exploring somewhere new, with her camera in her hand and family by her side or snuggled up with a cat on her lap, reading a book and enjoying a nice cup of tea. She firmly believes that tea and cake can fix most things.