Our pick of October half term activities

At this busy time of year, most of our local visitor attractions offer brilliant activities to entertain and entice you.  To help you decide how to spend your time in the Lake District, we’re sharing some of our favourite things to do for the October half term holidays.  There’s activities for all ages, and most are easy to reach from Park Cliffe.

The October half term falls over two weeks this year from Friday 19^th October, depending on which area of the country you live.  If your holidays are in Halloween week, our advice is book up early as many of those events are likely to get quite busy. 

 

For music lovers – A Tribute to Ariana Grande and Jojo Siwa

Sunday 20th October 2019 – Coronation Hall, Ulverston

7:00 pm to 8.45 pm

£13.00 – £15.00 per person

Young music fans will love this gig – a chance to see the UK’s top tribute acts to Ariana Grande and Jojo Siwa in one brilliant show.  The replica costumes and dance routines will be amazing, and it promises to have the audience singing and dancing from start to finish.

Price: £13.00 – £15.00

Try something new – Launch into Adventure at Fell Foot Country Park

Saturday 19^th October 2019 – Fell Foot Country Park

10.30 am to 4.00 pm

Entry is free, with sessions costing £5 per person

Join the Anyone Can team at Fell Foot and try out some of their accessible activities including sailing, canoeing, climbing and powerboating.  While mainly aimed at people with disabilities, the activities are open to all with everyone welcome.  Entry is free and each 1 hour session is £5 per person with profits donated to the Fell Foot off-road Wheelchair fund.  It’s a great chance to try something new!

 

Enjoy nature – Looking out for the small things at Wray Castle

23^rd, 24^th and 25^th October 2019– Wray Castle

10.00 am – 4.00 pm

Free with standard admission

The National Trust’s Wray Castle is always a great family day out and during half term they are running a series of activities which celebrate the natural world.  Perfect if your family don’t want to be scared or spooked during their break!  No booking is necessary, and the activities are free with standard admission.

 

Get creative – Creative Kids at Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House

19th – 27th October 2019– Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House

Free with standard admission prices

Blackwell, the Arts and Crafts House is running creative and craft activities every day throughout the holidays.  In Make A Change you can create your own banners or poster to campaign about some of the issues that you care about, such as bullying or the environment.  Become a detective for the day in the Great Detective Challenge and follow the clues around the house. Doodle Days encourages everyone to find their inner artist and share their creativity – there’s postcards and pens scattered throughout the attraction.

 

Take a spooky trip – Witches and Wizards Week at Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and the Lakes Aquarium

Monday 21^st October – Friday 25^th October 2019

Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and Lakes Aquarium

Kids in fancy dress go free with a full paying adult.

The Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway offers loads of spooky fun for all ages.  This year, find the haunted train carriage trapped in the tunnel, take part in creepy crafts on board the train, and complete the Ghoul Trail.  When you arrive at Lakeside, more spooky fun awaits at the Lakes Aquarium.  Kids in fancy dress go free on the train and into Lakes Aquarium with a full paying adult.

No need to book ahead.

 

Learn a new skill – The Wizarding School at Holker Hall

Friday 25^th and Saturday 26th October 2019– Holker Hall

£12.50 per child (including accompanying adult)

Pre booking essential!

Embark upon a mystical journey with The Wizarding School at Holker Hall – an immersive theatre experience.  There will be four workshops running throughout the day, each lasting 90 minutes and places cost £12.50 per child and include an accompanying adult.  (Additional adult places cost £5.50).

Holker’s Pumpkin Trail will also take place in the gardens on Friday, Saturday and Sunday October 25th, 26th and 27th.  Follow the clues to find the hidden pumpkins! The trail costs £2 per child with adult gardens entry costing £9 per person.  Fancy Dress essential if you want to enter the #hauntedholker selfie competition.

 

To be scared – Halloween Spooktacular at Brockhole, Windermere

19^th – 31^st October 2019

£25 per child (full passport) or £13 per child (passport).  Hand holders £7.

Brockhole is being taken over by monsters, ghouls and ghosts this Halloween.  A full Pumpkin Passport give children aged 7+ access to 13 Halloween inspired activities at Brockhole including the Haunted Forest, the Pumpkin Trail, Zombie Archery, Grusome Games and Brave the Cave plus lots more.  Younger children can do a smaller range of activities with a mini Pumpkin passport.

There’s lots to do at Brockhole anyway, including a huge free outdoor adventure play area.  Passports can be bought on the day or online in advance.

 

Further afield:  The Ghosts of Lowther, The Gardens Strike Back – Lowther Castle and Gardens

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th October 2019

From 5 pm

Adults £10 per person, Children £8

As darkness falls, Lowther Castle and Gardens becomes a spectacular Halloween experience.  The gardens and castle are brilliantly lit and the ghosts of Lowther loom around corners waiting to attack.  It is quite scary, so younger children should go earlier in the evening!

Booking is essential and tickets for walks around the gardens are timed.