With spooky season just around the corner, Kent’s businesses are starting to prepare for a better than ever October half-term, filled with activities for families and friends to enjoy.
Howletts
Howl with the monkeys this half term at Howletts Wild Animal Park. Stroll around the zoo, watch the children learn about the animal’s habitats, and see how many animals you can spot... Discover a world lost in time and explore Animals of the Ice Age, with marvelous-sized mammoths, the magnificent size of the giant sloth, and the savage saber-toothed Smilodon which is all included in your admission ticket. Whether it’s raining or sunny the animal park is one of our top family-friendly places to visit.
Hever Castle
Treat your little ones to a spooktacular visit to Hever Castle this half term, dressed in your scariest Halloween outfit. Wander around the castle grounds whilst listening to the traditional ghost stories and spotting the Halloween decorations. Enter different zones in the gardens with witches, spiders, skeletons, and bats, and find the missing letters spelling out a mystery word in return for a small prize. There will be a free family-friendly workshop where you can get the chance to plant garlic bulbs which is the perfect activity to ward off any stray vampires. Plus, keep an eye out for Aragog the spider, you will know when you see him! Then head into the Castle (a castle ticket is required) and follow another spooky trail.
Canterbury Cathedral
Head on down to Canterbury Cathedral this half term where they will be hosting a FREE LEGO brick model building workshop where you can join professional LEGO Brick Artists and Designers, Kevin Hall and Emily Carl from Brick Galleria. Suitable for ages four and up this family-friendly workshop sounds like a lot of fun!
Battle of Britain Memorial
Teaching the younger generation about the bravery and sacrifice that has been shown by the men of the Royal Air Force who fought in World War II is a huge part of the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust’s work. To encourage people of the younger generation to visit and learn more, the charity is running a ‘buy one, get one free’ offer for visitors to The Scramble Experience that will take place in the October half term. This is an exciting audio-visual extravaganza that brings the Battle of Britain to life with a lot of hands-on exhibits, film and audio recordings and touch screen-accessed information. From Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October, adult visitors to the Experience are entitled to another ticket at the same or lower value. Terms and conditions apply and all groups must include at least one adult.
Go Ape at Leeds Castle
Swing high up in the trees as sundown sessions are returning to Leeds Castle Go Ape from this October half term. Neon lights add a new level of thrill to your outdoor experience. After all, isn’t everything more fun when the sun goes down? Activities that are included in this session are treetop adventure and treetop adventure plus.
Dover Castle
From myths to legends to monsters, Dover Castle is waiting for you from Saturday 22nd to 30th October 2022, to join in their English folklore activities this October half term. Take part in solving creepy clues with Dennis, Gnasher, and friends, completing quests around the grounds then, be welcomed by a ghoulish guide who will tell ghost stories about Dover Castle. Become a monster hunter with Dover Castle’s hands on training activities and get to know the comedy castle rat who will be telling you stories and songs about the castle. And don’t forget to see the fantastical dragon and grim reaper puppets who will be prowling around the grounds. Or for those that have older children or are just looking for something different to do, Dover Castle is offering 16+ tours with tales of ghosts, supernatural sightings, and horrors guiding you on a journey through the past. Things really are about to get spooky.
Walmer Castle
From Friday 28th – 30th of October, Walmer Castle is hosting a ghost–hunting, storytelling, family-friendly walk through the gloomy shadows on the grounds. You always hear ghost stories about castles so why not experience it for yourself, with a Halloween walk around the grounds with well-told spooky stories to get you in the spirit of the season? Put on your jackets to keep you warm and lace up those boots for this light-hearted event.
Pumpkin Moon
Are you looking for that perfect pumpkin to decorate this Halloween? Head over to Pumpkin Moon in Rainham for a perfect family experience and pick the best pumpkin to take home and decorate. Selected dates are available so make sure to look at the details and bookings.
Medway's Heritage Sites
Guarding an important crossing of the River Medway is Rochester Castle, a proud standing reminder of the history of Rochester and just across the road from the Cathedral. Tour the grounds this half term and explore the heritage and history behind Rochester. Whilst in town why not visit Eastgate House, a distinctive building in Rochester with many fascinating stories to tell. Then head over to Guildhall Museum bursting with character and charm, the museum is filled with memories and objects that follows a timeline through Medway’s history. Or take the kids to Fenn Bell Conservation Project this half term where all the animals have come through rescue or from other zoos, aiming to give the animals a safe and enriching environment to live in.
Ghostly Treasure Hunts
Kids go FREE! From the 22nd to 30th of October in the ghostly treasure hunt at the Eastgate House in Rochester. Take the family to find a hoard of silver that has been hidden somewhere around the house. Could it be in Charles Dickens’ room? Use the treasure maps and characters to help you along the way to find the missing silver.
Historic Dockyard Chatham
Historic Dockyard Chatham is getting spooooky this half term with family-friendly arts and crafts activities for everyone to take part in. Create your very own finger puppets whether it is a ghost, pumpkin, vampire or bat, get as creative as you want. You could also make a magic wand and cast spells around the Dockyard. To finish off your creative and scary day, the Dockyard is creating a street display where you can add your haunted house to the growing street. The activities are included in the annual entry ticket so what’s stopping you? Let’s get creative this Halloween!
Emmett's Garden
This October, Emmett’s Garden will be hosting three giant willow mushrooms that were created by artist Katherine Miles which will be a great picture-perfect opportunity to have with your little ones. Wander around the gardens and see how many bright and colourful artworks and intriguing macro photographs you can find! There will also be a sound recording installation to enhance your senses in the woodlands allowing you to hear the variety of natural sounds that the garden makes. Head over and make some paper mushrooms and natural woodland banners in the undercover marquees, or have fun dressing up as a life-sized mushroom with giant toadstool hats. Listen to some stories in the marquee and play some games in the garden and in the natural play area.
Scotney Castle
Scotney Castle has a lot going on this October so let’s start off with the Halloween trail! From Saturday 22nd to Sunday 30th October, drive down this half term and enrol in the Scotney School of sorcery. Use your trusty map and a few clues from the team and complete the magic spell and turn the cauldron smoke green. Get your best wizarding hat on and solve the riddles that have been placed around the garden, the old castle ruins, and around the deep dark ice house. Will you earn your Scotney Sorcery School graduation certificate? In addition to this event on Monday 24th October Scotney Castle will be hosting a picture-perfect photography workshop for 7-11 year olds. Capture, create and focus on the beautiful warm colours of autumn this half term and take in the stunning Instagrammable landscapes that Scotney has to offer! So why not book Scotney this half term and enjoy both of these incredible activities?
Knole Park
Back by popular demand are the Knole deers! Go around the parkland trail and claim your BFG prize at the end. Come and celebrate the exhibition ‘The BFG in Pictures’ and take a look at the GIANT goings on in the parkland and take part in the illustrations and drawing activities that are along the way of the trail. Book now whilst it’s still available! Also, take part in the children’s watercolour workshop (which also includes admission into ‘The BFG in Pictures’ exhibition) and create fun and memorable experiences with your children by exploring watercolour illustrations allowing them to go wild and create stunning pictures. Materials and refreshments are all provided and the workshop is recommended for 8 to 12 years olds.
Ightham Mote
Spooky activity is happening at Ightham Mote this half term! Joined by some colourful characters in the great hall, drop in and listen to the ghost stories being told and discover the legends and myths of the ghosts. For the adults, travel back to the 1800s when group of ill-fated medical students make a gruesome discovery that was hidden in the walls of the great hall. Join them as they explore the house and brace yourselves for a few shocks along the way!
