What’s on for kids in Surrey this October half-term
I can’t quite believe October half term is already here when it feels like the boys have only just gone back after the summer!
This year is a little different for us as it’s the first time the boys have two weeks off for October half term – something they are, unsurprisingly, absolutely over the moon about! For me, it means rather a lot more days to fill, so I’ve been having a look at what’s on in Surrey over October half term 2026.
There’s a good mix this year, from Halloween trails and pumpkin-themed activities to days out that have nothing to do with Halloween at all. Whether you’ve got younger children who still love a spooky trail or older kids and teens who need a bit more persuading to leave the house, I’ve rounded up some of the best options below.
We’ve been to quite a few of these places ourselves over the years, although we’re well past the pumpkin-trail stage now! I’ve included the things I think families will find most useful, along with dates and booking information where it’s available.
As always, do double-check with the attraction before setting off. Events can change, some need to be booked in advance and normal admission charges may apply on top of activity costs.
When is October half term in Surrey in 2026?
If October half term seems particularly long this year, you’re not imagining it.
For Surrey County Council community and voluntary-controlled schools, autumn half term runs from Monday 19 October to Friday 30 October 2026, giving many families two weeks off rather than the usual one.
Academies and other schools can set their own term dates, though, so definitely check your own school calendar before booking anything.
Things to do in Surrey October half term 2026
RHS Garden Wisley – Spooky Plants
Dates: 17 October–1 November 2026
RHS Wisley is always a good one to check during the school holidays as they tend to put on plenty for families.
This October half term, the theme is Spooky Plants, with a family trail around the garden exploring some of the weird and wonderful things plants can do.
There are additional activities planned during the holidays too, so it’s worth checking what’s happening on the particular day you want to visit.
We’ve visited Wisley with the boys before and there’s plenty of space to wander, so this is a good option if you want to get everyone outside without it being entirely about Halloween.
Booking: Normal garden admission applies. Check the RHS Wisley website for current prices and any activities that need to be booked separately.
Bocketts Farm – Little Pumpkins and Wizards & Witches
Dates: 17 October–1 November 2026
Bocketts is another place we’ve visited over the years and one that does school holidays particularly well, especially for younger children.
Little Pumpkins Week runs from 17–23 October, with a Spooky Stamp Trail, Halloween crafts, discos and the Pumpkin Village alongside all the usual farm activities.
From 24 October–1 November, it switches to Wizards & Witches Week, with Science and Slime Shows, the Reptile Roadshow, spooky crafts, a trail and plenty more Halloween fun.
If your kids still love animals, tractors and all things Halloween, this is probably one of the easiest full days out on the list.
Booking: Event admission starts from £21.50 for adults and £23 for children aged 3–17. Booking online in advance is recommended as event dates can sell out.
Chessington World of Adventures – HOWL’O’WEEN
Dates: 3–4, 10–11 and 17 October–1 November 2026
Chessington is going all-in on Halloween again with HOWL’O’WEEN, with the theme park getting a spooky makeover for October.
There are Halloween activities and entertainment alongside the rides and attractions, with some rides staying open later on selected dates.
We’ve been to Chessington many times since the boys were little and it’s one of those places that works particularly well when you’ve got children of different ages. Obviously, the scarier Halloween bits won’t suit everyone, so check what’s included before booking if you’re going with younger children.
Booking: Theme park tickets are required and prices vary by date, with tickets starting from £34pp when booked online in advance.
Hampton Court Palace – Halloween
Dates: 24 October–1 November 2026
Hampton Court Palace is getting spooky for half term, with Halloween activities taking place around the palace.
It’s a nice alternative if you want something Halloween-ish without doing another pumpkin farm or theme park. And there’s something about wandering around a centuries-old palace at Halloween that makes it feel suitably atmospheric anyway!
Normal palace admission applies.
Polesden Lacey – Moomins and The Great Polesden Mystery
There are actually two family trails to choose from at Polesden Lacey this autumn.
Moomins at Polesden Lacey runs from 28 September–8 November 2026, with a family trail through the garden inspired by Moominvalley.
Then, from 17 October–1 November, there’s The Great Polesden Mystery, where families can help Detective Grizwald discover who has stolen Polesden’s prized pumpkin.
The Moomins trail is a particularly nice option if your children aren’t interested in Halloween – not every October day out needs to involve ghosts and witches!
Booking: Normal admission applies. National Trust members go free, but charges may apply for individual family trails. Check the Polesden Lacey event listings for full details and whether advance booking is needed.
Hatchlands Park – Ghost Hunt and Pumpkin Spotter Trail
Dates: 10 October–1 November 2026
Younger children can follow the We’re Going on a Ghost Hunt™ family trail at Hatchlands Park this October.
There’s also a Pumpkin Spotter Trail from 18 October–1 November, with wooden pumpkins hidden around the parkland.
The pumpkin trail itself is free once you’ve paid normal admission, making this one of the cheaper add-on activities in the roundup.
Booking: Normal admission applies. National Trust members go free. The Pumpkin Spotter Trail is free with admission, but check the individual event details before visiting as charges and booking arrangements vary between activities.
Birdworld – Autumn Science Seekers
Dates: 24 October–1 November 2026
If your kids would rather have animals than witches, Birdworld has its Autumn Science Seekers activities running throughout half term.
There are five family science shows each day in Professor Featherstone’s Theatre, along with extra autumn activities around the park. The shows and activities are included with normal admission.
It’s a good one to have on the list because not every child wants two weeks of Halloween activities – and by the second week, you might be feeling much the same!
Booking: Normal Birdworld admission applies. Booking online in advance is recommended.
Painshill – autumn half-term activities
Painshill in Cobham has several family activities running over October half term. Whispers in the Woods runs on selected dates between 17–31 October, with an interactive storytelling walk through the landscape, while Woodland Wonders runs on selected dates between 19–28 October and includes tree-inspired autumn crafts.
Both activities cost £4 for Painshill members or £9 for non-members, with child admission included in the activity ticket. Adults need a valid membership or admission ticket.
The landscape garden is lovely at this time of year anyway, so this would be one I’d consider if the weather behaves and you want a proper outdoors day.
Booking: Advance booking is required for the activities.
Watts Gallery – Monsters, Magic & Mischief
Dates: 21 October–1 November 2026.
For something a bit more creative (and importantly, something that isn’t entirely outdoors), Watts Gallery has Monsters, Magic & Mischief running over October half term.
There are extra family activities too, including Halloween Craft Club on 28–29 October and Clay Club from 28–30 October, so it’s worth checking what’s happening on the day you plan to visit.
General admission is free for under-16s, although some of the individual workshops and activities cost extra.
This could be a good rainy-day one to keep up your sleeve.
Booking: Check individual activities before visiting, as additional charges and advance booking may apply.
Claremont Landscape Garden – The Squirrels Who Squabbled
Dates: 28 September–1 November 2026
Another one for younger children – and another break from Halloween.
The National Trust’s The Squirrels Who Squabbled trail follows Rachel Bright and Jim Field’s story around Claremont Landscape Garden.
It’s running from 10am–4pm and could work nicely for a fairly low-key half-term day rather than a big-ticket attraction.
Guildford Castle and Guildford Museum – Halloween activities
There are several Halloween activities happening in Guildford over October half term, including some free options, which are always handy when you’ve got two weeks to fill!
Guildford Museum’s Spooktacular Trail runs from 14–31 October 2026 and is free. Children can follow clues to find ghosts hiding around the museum, and the trail is recommended for children aged four and over.
There are other activities during half term too, including a free Creative Collages session on 27 October. Guildford Castle also has family-friendly Halloween activities during October.
You could easily combine a couple of these rather than paying for a full day at one of the larger attractions.
Booking: Some activities are drop-in while others may need to be booked, so check the individual event details before visiting.
Rural Life Living Museum – Scarecrow Trail
Dates: 26–30 October 2026
Rural Life Living Museum near Farnham has a Scarecrow Trail running during the second week of Surrey’s half term.
There are other activities on its calendar during the school holidays too, so check what’s happening on the day you’re planning to visit.
Dapdune Wharf – Halloween crafts
There are a couple of Halloween craft activities happening at Dapdune Wharf in Guildford.
On 24 October, children can make Halloween, animal or fantasy masks as well as cardboard marble mazes at the Mask Making and Mazes session.
It costs £6 plus normal admission and needs to be booked in advance.
There’s also a Halloween mosaic workshop on 29 October.
Squire’s Garden Centres – Create & Grow
Dates: 19–30 October 2026 (dates vary by centre)
Squire’s has its Create & Grow Spooky Half Term activities running during the school holidays, and they’re handy if you want something that doesn’t take up an entire day.
This year children can paint a spooky tealight holder to take home, complete with a battery-operated LED tealight. The activity costs £7 per child and needs to be booked in advance.
There’s also a free Witch’s Spell Trail, which doesn’t need to be booked.
Several Surrey branches are taking part, including Cobham, Hersham, Long Ditton, Reigate, West Horsley and Woking, although dates vary by centre.
Booking: Advance booking is essential for the £7 Create & Grow activity. The Witch’s Spell Trail is free and doesn’t need to be booked.
Free and cheap things to do in Surrey this October half term
Two weeks of days out can get expensive very quickly, especially if you’ve got more than one child.
There are a few cheaper options in the list above, though. Guildford Museum’s Spooktacular Trail is free, while Squire’s has a free trail alongside its paid activities. National Trust members can also make some of the National Trust trails a relatively inexpensive day out, although individual trail charges may apply.
And you don’t have to book an organised event every day. Have a look at my free things to do in Surrey with kids for more ideas when you just need to get everyone out of the house without spending a fortune.
Pumpkin picking in Surrey this October half term
October half term tends to fall right in the middle of pumpkin season, so it’s also a good time to squeeze in a trip to a pumpkin patch.
Rather than repeat all of those here, I’ve got a separate guide to pumpkin picking in Surrey, which I’ll keep updated with the farms and pumpkin patches opening locally.
I’d definitely book ahead if you’re planning to go during half term – the popular weekend slots can disappear quickly.
Where to eat with the kids during October half term
If you’re heading out for the day, chances are you’ll need to factor in food at some point too. And with two weeks off school, eating out can soon add up!
There are a couple of family-friendly offers worth knowing about this half term.
PR note: We received complimentary meals/vouchers from Wildwood and Slim Chickens. As always, all opinions are my own.
Wildwood – Halloween Kids’ Menu
We recently visited Wildwood in Camberley and had a lovely meal, so it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re looking for somewhere to eat with the kids over half term.
They’ve got a special Halloween Monster Menu for £7.95, which includes two courses, a drink and a Halloween activity pack. Children who complete their activity sheet also get a little chocolate treat.
It’s aimed at children aged 12 and under, so particularly handy if you’ve got younger ones who still enjoy a bit of Halloween fun.
Price: £7.95 per child. Check with your local Wildwood for availability.
Slim Chickens – £8.95 Lunch Deal
If you’ve got older kids or teens who are always hungry (I know that feeling!), Slim Chickens has introduced a new £8.95 lunch deal.
There are three meal options to choose from, each served with fries and their signature House Sauce.
The deal is available on weekdays at lunchtime, so it could be a good option if you’re out shopping or looking for a quick bite during half term.
Price: £8.95. Check participating restaurants for serving times and availability.
PR note: We received complimentary meals/vouchers from Wildwood and Slim Chickens. As always, all opinions are my own.
Looking for more places to eat? Have a look at my roundup of family-friendly restaurants in Surrey for more ideas.
What to do in Surrey when it rains during half term
Because… October.
It’s always worth having at least one wet-weather plan, particularly with two weeks to fill this year.
Watts Gallery and Guildford Museum are two possibilities from this list, but I’ve also got a full guide to indoor activities in Surrey, including climbing, bowling, escape rooms, crazy golf and other ideas that work particularly well with older children and teens.
That’s much more the stage we’re at now. The boys are older, so our half-term days look very different to the pumpkin trails and craft sessions we used to do when they were little!
For loads more ideas, have a browse through my things to do in Surrey with kids post too.
October half term Surrey 2026 FAQs
When is October half term in Surrey in 2026?
For Surrey County Council community and voluntary-controlled schools, half term runs from Monday 19 October to Friday 30 October 2026. Academies and other schools may use different dates, so check with your child’s school before booking.
What’s on in Surrey for October half term 2026?
There are family events across Surrey including Spooky Plants at RHS Wisley, HOWL’O’WEEN at Chessington, Halloween at Hampton Court Palace, family trails at Polesden Lacey and Hatchlands Park, and activities at Watts Gallery, Guildford Museum and other attractions.
Are there any free things to do in Surrey during October half term?
Yes. Some of the confirmed options include Guildford Museum’s free Spooktacular Trail and free activities in Guildford. There are also plenty of parks, walks and other free days out across Surrey.
What can we do in Surrey during half term if it rains?
Museums and galleries are good options, including Watts Gallery and Guildford Museum. For older children, Surrey also has indoor climbing, bowling, escape rooms, crazy golf and other activities – see my indoor activities in Surrey guide for more ideas.
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