October half term activities at the National Trust in and around Devon
During October half term in and around Devon, National Trust places are hosting an array of family friendly activities and terror-ific Halloween adventures. From spooky scarecrow trails to exploring autumnal colours and harvest displays to wood carving. There’s lots going on to keep your ghouls and monsters entertained.
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 half term:
Arlington Court
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/arlington-court-and-the-national-trust-carriage-museum
Scarecrow Trail
Mon 24 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am - 4pm
Join us during the October half term for our scarecrow trail. Explore the grounds and gardens spotting scarecrows, which have been made by local schools, as you go. How many can you find? You can also have a go at spotting mini knitted scarecrows in the Carriage Museum.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
AutumnFest at Arlington Court
Mon 24 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am - 4pm
Join us throughout October for a celebration of Autumn throughout the property, including a scarecrow trail featuring scarecrows made by local schools, various workshops, activities, demonstrations, and collections. We will be starting off autumn with a mini harvest display in the walled kitchen garden of some of the produce grown by the gardeners and the volunteer team. There will also be other harvest displays around the property in Reception, at the entrance to the house and a lovely harvest display on the dining room table.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Nature Lantern Making workshop
Sat 29 Oct. 10:30am – 3pm
Join us in the activity room for this workshop on how to make an autumn nature lantern from willow, sticks, tissue paper and leaves. All materials will be provided.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Buckland Abbey
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/buckland-abbey
Nature Showcase in The Nave
Daily. 11am - 4pm.
In this Nature Showcase, you can discover the plants and animals living on the Buckland Abbey estate and explore the Abbey's estate through its many habitats, moving out from the gardens into the orchards, past the ponds, through the meadow and out to the woodland. Comparing the history of human activity in these places with the actions of the team here today.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
History of the Abbey through its art
Every Mon in Sep and Oct. 2 - 3.30pm.
Each Monday at 2pm you can come and discover the history of Buckland Abbey told through its artwork. The tour will last approximately 1.5 hours. This tour will take place on most Mondays but please check the website to see if the tour is scheduled to be on for the specific date you are interested in attending.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Apple Day
Sat 22 Oct. 10am – 4pm
This Autumn half-term we're kicking off with a celebration of all things apples. We'll have apple recipes to inspire you with autumn treats to make at home, watch the Rangers as they give green woodworking demonstrations and join in by making celebratory willow headdresses. We will also be joined by the Dartmoor Border Morris group, who will entertain the crowd from 1pm.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Tudor Cooking at Buckland Abbey
Tue 25 Oct. 11am – 2pm
The Buckland Abbey costume group will be in the Abbey's Tudor kitchen ready to give you an insight into what people ate and how they cooked during the Tudor era, they will provide you with inspiration and recipe cards to do your own historical cooking at home. This autumn they will be focusing their cooking around the apple harvest, sweet and savoury dishes all using apples. No need to book, cooking will take place between 11am - 2pm. After 2pm volunteers will still be on hand to provide information.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Ranger Ramble
Fri 28 Oct. 1 – 2.30pm
This half-term you can join one of our knowledgeable Rangers for a ramble on the yellow route, an opportunity to learn more about the wider Buckland estate and the wildlife it supports. Sign up at Visitor Welcome on the day.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Castle Drogo
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/castle-drogo
Family Fun this Autumn at Castle Drogo
Sat 22 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am – 5pm
Get creative this Autumn half term at Castle Drogo. Take part in our nature trail around the grounds, you’ll need to use your senses to see, smell, touch and hear all that Autumn has to offer on Dartmoor. You can also have a go at making mud faces in the woods and experience incredible Autumn colour on a walk around the estate. Wild tribe (mud faces) will be on Tue 25 and Fri 28 Oct, 11.30am – 3pm.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Coleton Fishacre
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/coleton-fishacre
Under the autumn leaves trail
Daily in Oct, weekends in Nov. 10.30am – 4.30pm
Excite the senses and step among the autumn trees on an autumn trail. Hunt for the bright colours of autumn, listen to the sounds of nature and keep an eye out for fallen forest gems.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Dunster Castle and Watermill
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/dunster-castle-and-watermill
Dunster Castle School of Magic: Loyalty Quest
Mon 17 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am - 3pm
One of the professors at the Dunster Castle School of Magic has turned to the Dark Side and is plotting to take over the school. Head Teacher, Professor Luttrell senses something is wrong and saw a number of cryptic words appear in his dream. Armed with the list of words, will you complete the Loyalty Quest to see if you can work out who the traitor is?
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Fyne Court
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fyne-court
Half-term family trail: Bewitching Bugs
Sat 22 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am – 4pm
Discover why Fyne’s former resident Andrew Crosse was thought to be a wizard. Find out all about his experiments as you explore the autumnal estate, learning about insects at our nature-themed activity stations. Head to the Music Hall to make your own bug to take home with you.
Price: Free (normal car parking fee applies – free for NT members). Booking not required.
Greenway
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/greenway
Travelling trees trail
Daily in Oct, weekends in Nov. 10.30am – 4.30pm
It’s not just people that have travelled the world to and from Greenway, owners in the past have also introduced trees and plants from around the world into the garden. You can discover more on this fun, family-oriented self-led trail.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Unlock your inner writer at Greenway
Daily in Oct, weekends in Nov. 10.30am – 4.30pm
Get up close to special first edition books in the house, and immerse yourself in the retreat of the Queen of Crime. Pick up a free red jotter to capture ideas, try your hand at the nature poetry board in the garden or book onto a free taster writing workshop. Workshop bookings are listed separately, please website for all workshops.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required
Killerton
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/killerton
Outdoor Pumpkin trail
Sat 15 to Mon 31 Oct. 11am – 4pm
Ten fun-loving pumpkins are hiding in the trees around the park and garden. Each one has left a joke for you to find. Follow the trail of pumpkin arrows to spot the hiding pumpkins, their jokes and three challenges.
Price: £1 (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Knightshayes
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knightshayes
Witches and Wizard Potion Walk
Sat 22, Sun 23 & Sun 30 Oct. Walks at 12pm & 2.30pm
Join the Pocketwatch Theatre Company on a playful and participatory Witches and Wizards potion walk in the gardens. Walks last for 50 minutes.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required.
Lorna Doone Valley
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lorna-doone-valley
Astrophotography in the Doone Valley
Sat 22 Oct. 6-9pm.
Ever wanted to learn about capturing the beauty of the Exmoor landscape and dark skies at night time? Join local photographer Mark Johnson for a photography experience to remember.
Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Octoberfest at Lorna Doone
Tue 25 Oct. 11am – 3pm
Join us at the Lorna Doone Valley during half-term to celebrate all things autumn. There is something for everyone at this free action-packed autumn festival, from family crafting and bug discovery stations, to nature trails, wood wittling, seed bomb making and more. Find out more by visiting our website.
Price: Free. Booking not needed.
Dark Skies Wildlife Walks (with night vision cameras)
Fri 28 Oct. 5 - 6pm
Join one of our escorted walks along the Doone Valley with our ranger team, using night vision cameras you will get to see what incredible evening wildlife calls the valley home. On return to the Buttery tea-room visitors will be able to enjoy a hot drink and 1/2 a 12" pizza.
Price: Adult £15 / Child £10. Booking essential 0344 249 1895.
Lydford Gorge
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lydford-gorge
Poisonous plants autumn trail
Fri 7 to Sun 30 Oct. 10am - 3pm
Follow the family-friendly trail around the orchard to learn about some of the poisonous plants that can be found in the gorge.
Price: Free (normal admission prices apply). Booking not required
